WattCost

Data through April 2026

Cost to run · Montana · 13.9¢/kWh residential average

How much does it cost to run a refrigerator in Montana?

$48/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in Montana runs 13.9¢/kWh — 26% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified refrigerator at about $48 a year, versus $65 nationally.

In the national ranking, Montana lands at 7 of 51 for what a refrigerator costs to run. Model choice matters as much as geography: at Montana rates the most efficient certified model (Fisher & Paykel RS2435V2) costs $5.84 a year while the most power-hungry (Jenn-Air JS48PPDUDE) costs $112 — a spread of $106 every year. For reference, the national extremes are North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh); the same median refrigerator would cost $43 and $161 a year there.

Montana
$48
US average
$65
North Dakota
$43
Hawaii
$161
Median certified refrigerator (345 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

The cheapest refrigerators to run at Montana rates

Price any model at Montana rates

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
13¢
Per month
$4.00
Per year
$48

345 kWh/yr × 13.9¢/kWh = $48/yr

Prefilled with the median certified refrigerator (345 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.

Questions, answered with the data

How much does it cost to run a refrigerator in Montana?
About $48 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator, at Montana's average residential rate of 13.9¢/kWh — that's $4.00 a month.
Is electricity expensive in Montana?
Montana's residential average of 13.9¢/kWh is 26% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 7 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest refrigerator to run in Montana?
Among currently certified models, the Fisher & Paykel RS2435V2 costs the least at about $5.84 a year at Montana rates (42 kWh/yr).
How does Montana compare with other states?
The same median refrigerator costs $43 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $161 in Hawaii (the priciest). Montana sits at $48.

Keep digging

Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.