How Much Does a Sauna Cost to Run by State?

What a sauna costs to run depends on two things: how much electricity it uses, and what you pay per kilowatt-hour where you live. Electricity prices vary a lot across the US, so the same sauna can cost three to four times more per month in one state than another. Here is how to estimate your cost using current state rates.

The simple formula

Running cost per session equals the sauna power in kilowatts, times the hours you run it, times your electricity rate. A typical infrared sauna draws about 1.6 to 2.5 kW and uses roughly 1.5 kWh for a warm-up plus a session of around 40 minutes. Traditional electric saunas draw more, often 6 to 8 kW, so they cost noticeably more per session. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the national average residential electricity price in 2026 is about 18.8 cents per kWh, but state rates range from around 12 cents to over 46 cents, per the EIA Electric Power Monthly.

Infrared sauna cost by state tier

Using about 1.5 kWh per session for an infrared sauna, here is what a session and a month of four sessions per week look like across low, average, and high electricity states. Treat these as estimates.

State tier	Rate per kWh	Per session	Per month
Low (e.g. North Dakota)	About 12 cents	About 0.18	About 3.00
National average	About 18.8 cents	About 0.28	About 4.90
High (e.g. California)	About 30 cents	About 0.45	About 7.80
Highest (Hawaii)	About 46 cents	About 0.70	About 12.00

Even in the most expensive states, an efficient infrared sauna is inexpensive to run, usually a few dollars to about twelve dollars a month with regular use. Want your exact figure? Use our sauna running cost calculator with your own rate and habits.

Traditional and outdoor saunas cost more

A traditional electric sauna heater at 6 to 8 kW can use several kWh per session, so its running cost is often three to five times higher than an infrared cabin. Outdoor saunas can also lose heat to cold weather, raising energy use in winter. If low running cost is a priority, an infrared unit is usually the most economical choice. Compare options in our infrared saunas collection or read the full infrared sauna cost guide.

Ways to lower your cost

Choose an efficient infrared or well-insulated cabin, preheat only as long as needed, keep the door closed, and run sessions during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing. Remember that a home sauna can also qualify for HSA or FSA savings with a letter of medical necessity, which can offset the purchase price. See our HSA and FSA guide for details.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an infrared sauna cost to run per month?

For most homes, roughly 3 to 12 dollars a month with about four sessions per week, depending on your state electricity rate. Low-cost states land near 3 dollars, while Hawaii can reach about 12 dollars.

Which states are most expensive for running a sauna?

Hawaii is by far the highest at over 46 cents per kWh, followed by states like California and several in the Northeast. The lowest rates are generally in central and Mountain states such as North Dakota.

Do traditional saunas cost more to run than infrared?

Yes. Traditional electric heaters draw 6 to 8 kW versus about 1.6 to 2.5 kW for infrared, so they use more electricity per session and cost several times more to operate.

Looking for an energy-efficient home sauna? Explore our infrared saunas built for low running costs. Everything ships free in the US, is HSA and FSA eligible with savings up to 30 percent, and is backed by our Best-Price Guarantee, financing, and real human support.