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How much does 3D printing cost in the US? Electricity and filament
Reference figures in the US, taken from the same catalog the calculator uses and shown in US dollars. Use it to compare, or enter your own values above. Data updated June 2026.
Electricity rates in the US
Residential electricity in the US ranges from US$ 0.127 (Louisiana) to US$ 0.480 (Hawaii) per kWh, before sales tax.
Region or rate
Price per kWh
United States (average)July 2026 average residential price for the whole country: 18.31¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Pick your state for a closer figure; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.183
AlabamaJuly 2026 average residential price: 16.40¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.164
AlaskaJuly 2026 average residential price: 28.83¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.288
ArizonaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.38¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.154
Frequently asked questions about costs in the US
How much electricity does a 3D printer use per hour in the US?
At the “United States (average)” rate of US$ 0.183/kWh: a Bambu Lab A1 mini (about 80 W) costs US$ 0.015 per hour, a Bambu Lab P1S (about 105 W) costs US$ 0.019 per hour, and a Bambu Lab H2D (about 200 W) costs US$ 0.037 per hour. These are average figures while printing; preheating draws more, but only for a few minutes.
How do I work out the real cost per kWh from my electric bill?
On your electric bill, divide the total amount due by the kWh used in the billing period. That's what each kWh really costs you, with delivery charges, fees and taxes included. The state values are EIA averages across all utilities — rates vary by state and by utility, so your own bill is always the most accurate.
How much should I charge per gram for 3D printing in the US?
The filament alone costs US$ 0.017 per gram (PLA at US$ 17.00/kg). On top of that come electricity (about US$ 0.019 per hour on a Bambu Lab P1S), your time, packaging, failed prints and your profit, so a flat per-gram price rarely covers everything. Enter the part in the calculator to find out what to charge.
What taxes apply when selling 3D prints in the US?
There is no federal sales tax: each state sets its own, and many counties and cities add theirs. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. This is general information, not tax advice: check your situation with an accountant.
What the electricity for one print costs in the US
A 3-hour print on a Bambu Lab P1S, which draws about 105 W on average, uses 0.315 kWh. At the “United States (average)” rate of US$ 0.183/kWh, the electricity for that print costs US$ 0.058.
105 W × 3 h= 0.315 kWh× US$ 0.183/kWh= US$ 0.058
At the cheapest rate in the table it would be US$ 0.040; at the most expensive, US$ 0.151.
For comparison: 50 g of PLA at US$ 17.00/kg costs US$ 0.850, so electricity adds 6.8% on top of the filament cost.
Reference filament prices in the US
Material
1 kg spool
Per gram
PLA
US$ 17.00
US$ 0.017
ArkansasJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.33¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.143
CaliforniaJuly 2026 average residential price: 33.61¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.336
ColoradoJuly 2026 average residential price: 17.00¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.170
ConnecticutJuly 2026 average residential price: 24.16¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.242
DelawareJuly 2026 average residential price: 18.48¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.185
District of ColumbiaJuly 2026 average residential price: 25.21¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.252
FloridaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.03¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.150
GeorgiaJuly 2026 average residential price: 16.27¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.163
HawaiiJuly 2026 average residential price: 48.00¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.480
IdahoJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.73¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.137
IllinoisJuly 2026 average residential price: 19.22¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.192
IndianaJuly 2026 average residential price: 16.73¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.167
IowaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.99¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.160
KansasJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.27¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.153
KentuckyJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.81¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.138
LouisianaJuly 2026 average residential price: 12.72¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.127
MaineJuly 2026 average residential price: 32.41¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.324
MarylandJuly 2026 average residential price: 21.41¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.214
MassachusettsJuly 2026 average residential price: 30.49¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.305
MichiganJuly 2026 average residential price: 23.05¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.231
MinnesotaJuly 2026 average residential price: 17.45¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.175
MississippiJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.54¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.145
MissouriJuly 2026 average residential price: 16.09¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.161
MontanaJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.99¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.150
NebraskaJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.78¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.138
NevadaJuly 2026 average residential price: 12.77¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.128
New HampshireJuly 2026 average residential price: 26.60¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.266
New JerseyJuly 2026 average residential price: 25.19¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.252
New MexicoJuly 2026 average residential price: 16.09¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.161
New YorkJuly 2026 average residential price: 29.90¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.299
North CarolinaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.16¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.152
North DakotaJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.41¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.134
OhioJuly 2026 average residential price: 19.45¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.195
OklahomaJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.35¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.144
OregonJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.97¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.160
PennsylvaniaJuly 2026 average residential price: 21.72¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.217
Rhode IslandJuly 2026 average residential price: 28.29¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.283
South CarolinaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.47¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.155
South DakotaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.37¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.154
TennesseeJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.71¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.137
TexasJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.88¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.159
UtahJuly 2026 average residential price: 13.12¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.131
VermontJuly 2026 average residential price: 23.75¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.238
VirginiaJuly 2026 average residential price: 17.55¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.176
WashingtonJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.71¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.147
West VirginiaJuly 2026 average residential price: 15.78¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.158
WisconsinJuly 2026 average residential price: 19.06¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
US$ 0.191
WyomingJuly 2026 average residential price: 14.36¢/kWh (EIA, preliminary). Average across all utilities in the state; sales tax not included where it applies.
