Cost to run a Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB)
A Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) (Single-board computer) draws roughly 4 W at idle and up to 12 W under load. Run 24/7 at a typical ~6 W and the US average of $0.17/kWh, it uses about 53 kWh a year and costs roughly $8.94/year ($0.74/month). In higher-priced regions such as Germany (€0.40/kWh) the same device costs about €21.02/year. Adjust the calculator for your own draw and electricity price.
Source: HomelabWatts wattage database. Data as of 2026-06-13.
Faster ARM SBC suited to Home Assistant, light containers and an NVMe HAT.
Idle vs load running cost
| Scenario | Power | Energy / year | Cost / year (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle | 4 W | 35 kWh | $5.96 |
| Typical 24/7 | 6 W | 53 kWh | $8.94 |
| Full load | 12 W | 105 kWh | $17.87 |
Load figure assumes all four cores busy. Peak can exceed this with an NVMe HAT and active cooling. Source: HomelabWatts wattage database, data as of 2026-06-13.
Cost by region (typical 24/7 draw)
| Region | Price/kWh | Cost / month | Cost / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (avg residential) | $0.17 | $0.74 | $8.94 |
| Germany | €0.40 | €1.75 | €21.02 |
| France | €0.28 | €1.23 | €14.72 |
| United Kingdom | £0.25 | £1.09 | £13.14 |
| Spain | €0.25 | €1.09 | €13.14 |
Prices from electricity price presets (EIA / Eurostat), data as of 2026-06-01. Excludes standing charges and taxes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) per year?
At a typical 24/7 draw of about 6 W and the US average of $0.17/kWh, roughly $8.94 per year ($0.74/month). At €0.40/kWh in Germany it is about €21.02. Use the calculator above for your own price.
How many watts does a Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) use?
Approximately 4 W at idle and up to 12 W under load. Load figure assumes all four cores busy. Peak can exceed this with an NVMe HAT and active cooling.
Are these figures measured or estimated?
Estimated. They are compiled from manufacturer specifications and community wall-meter measurements; your exact draw depends on configuration, firmware and attached storage. Measure at the wall for a precise figure.
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Last updated: 2026-06-13