Bitcoin Mining Electricity Cost by State & Province (2026)

Electricity is the single largest ongoing expense in Bitcoin mining. Whether you are running a fleet of Antminer S21 Pros in an industrial facility or a single Bitaxe on your desk, your electricity rate determines whether you mine at a profit or a loss. After the April 2024 halving cut the block reward to 3.125 BTC, margins tightened dramatically, and where you plug in your miner matters more than ever.

This guide provides the definitive reference for Bitcoin mining electricity costs across every Canadian province and territory and the most important US states. We include current residential and industrial rates, break-even electricity prices for popular mining hardware, and actionable strategies to reduce your effective electricity cost — including the dual-purpose mining approach that can slash your net energy expense by 30-100%.

All rates are in local currency (CAD for Canada, USD for the United States) unless otherwise noted. Data reflects the most recent published utility rates as of early 2026.

Why Electricity Cost Is the Make-or-Break Factor in Mining

At current network conditions (February 2026: difficulty ~125.86T, BTC price ~$68,000 USD, hashprice ~$0.034/TH/day), a miner generates roughly $0.034 USD in gross revenue per terahash per day. That number is the same whether you mine in Hawaii or Quebec — the Bitcoin network does not care about your location. What differs wildly is how much of that revenue you keep after paying your electricity bill.

Consider the Antminer S21 Pro (234 TH/s, 3,510W, 15 J/TH):

• At $0.05/kWh: Monthly electricity cost = ~$126. Monthly revenue = ~$239. Profit: ~$113/month
• At $0.08/kWh: Monthly electricity cost = ~$202. Monthly revenue = ~$239. Profit: ~$37/month
• At $0.10/kWh: Monthly electricity cost = ~$253. Monthly revenue = ~$239. Loss: ~-$14/month
• At $0.15/kWh: Monthly electricity cost = ~$379. Monthly revenue = ~$239. Loss: ~-$140/month

That is a swing from a healthy $113 monthly profit to a devastating $140 monthly loss — purely based on where you plug in your machine. Over a year, the difference between $0.05/kWh and $0.15/kWh electricity is over $3,000 per miner. Scale that across ten machines, and location alone is worth $30,000 annually.

This is exactly why mining profitability hinges on electricity rates, and why serious miners treat their power contract as carefully as their hardware selection.

Break-Even Electricity Rates by Miner Model (February 2026)

The break-even electricity rate is the maximum rate at which a miner generates exactly zero profit — revenue equals electricity cost. If your rate is below this number, you are profitable. If it is above, you are mining at a loss. These figures assume current network conditions (BTC ~$68,000, difficulty ~125.86T) and will shift as Bitcoin price and difficulty change. Use D-Central’s mining profitability calculator and power cost calculator for real-time numbers.

Key takeaway: The most efficient modern ASICs (S21 XP Hyd, S21 Pro) can remain profitable at residential electricity rates in cheaper regions. Older hardware like the S19 Pro needs sub-$0.04/kWh power — essentially industrial or hosting rates. The venerable S9 is unprofitable for pure mining almost everywhere, which is why repurposing it as a Bitcoin space heater makes so much more sense: the heat value offsets the electricity cost entirely.

Note: Bitaxe and open-source miners are primarily used for solo mining (lottery mining). Their profitability is probabilistic — you are not earning steady daily revenue but rather taking a shot at a full block reward (3.125 BTC = ~$212,500). The break-even rates above assume pooled mining revenue for comparison purposes.

Canadian Electricity Rates for Bitcoin Mining: Every Province & Territory

Canada is one of the best countries in the world for Bitcoin mining. The combination of abundant hydroelectric power, cold climate (free cooling for most of the year), and a stable regulatory environment makes provinces like Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia extremely attractive. For a deeper look at the Canadian mining landscape, read our comprehensive guide to Bitcoin mining in Canada.

All rates below are in Canadian cents per kWh (CAD). To convert to USD, multiply by approximately 0.72 (at current exchange rates).

The Canadian Mining Sweet Spot: Quebec, Manitoba, and BC

These three hydroelectric provinces form the golden triangle of Canadian Bitcoin mining. Their advantages compound: cheap hydro power, cold climate, stable grid, and generally supportive (or at least tolerant) regulatory environments.

Quebec deserves special attention. At 7.8 cents/kWh CAD residential (~5.6 cents USD), it offers electricity cheaper than almost any US state. Industrial rates from Hydro-Quebec can drop to 4.0-5.5 cents CAD (2.9-4.0 cents USD). However, Quebec has a complicated history with large-scale crypto mining. In 2018, Hydro-Quebec initially welcomed miners, then imposed moratoriums as demand surged. As of 2026, some municipalities maintain moratoriums on new large-scale mining facilities, but residential and small-scale mining is unrestricted. If you are a home miner with a few machines, Quebec is paradise.

Manitoba is arguably the most underrated mining province. Manitoba Hydro rates are extremely low (10.2 cents CAD residential, ~4.5-5.6 cents industrial), there are no mining-specific restrictions, and Winnipeg has the coldest major-city winters in the world — your miners ARE your heating system for six months of the year.

British Columbia rounds out the trio with competitive BC Hydro rates. The tiered pricing structure means the first ~1,350 kWh per billing period costs 11.47 cents, and usage above that costs 13.63 cents. For miners running 24/7, most consumption falls in the higher tier, but the all-in blended rate is still very competitive by North American standards.

Ontario: The TOU Strategy

Ontario is a special case because of its Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing structure. Rates vary by time of day:

• Off-peak: 7.6 cents/kWh (nights, weekends, holidays)
• Mid-peak: 12.2 cents/kWh
• On-peak: 15.8 cents/kWh

Smart miners in Ontario use automation to ramp up hashrate during off-peak hours and throttle back during on-peak. With roughly 65% of weekly hours falling in off-peak or mid-peak windows, a strategically managed mining operation can achieve a blended rate closer to 9-10 cents/kWh — substantially better than the headline 14.1 cents average.

Alberta: The Wildcard

Alberta has a deregulated electricity market, which means rates fluctuate based on wholesale supply and demand. The 25.8 cents average residential rate is misleading because it includes periods of extreme price spikes. However, wholesale spot prices regularly dip below 5 cents/kWh during overnight hours and windy periods when wind generation floods the grid. Large mining operations with real-time pricing contracts and the infrastructure to curtail during price spikes can achieve effective rates well below the residential average — but this requires sophistication and capital.

US Electricity Rates for Bitcoin Mining: State-by-State Breakdown

The United States has enormous variation in electricity rates — from under 12 cents/kWh in the cheapest states to over 40 cents/kWh in Hawaii. Combined with a patchwork of state-level crypto regulations (some very friendly, others hostile), choosing the right state for mining operations is a critical strategic decision.

All rates below are in US cents per kWh.

The 20 Cheapest States for Bitcoin Mining

The Most Expensive States for Bitcoin Mining

For context (and as a warning), here are the states where residential Bitcoin mining is almost certainly unprofitable at grid rates, even with the most efficient hardware available:

Crypto-Friendly States: Regulations Matter Too

Low electricity costs are critical, but regulatory friendliness can make or break a mining operation. Here are the standout states from a policy perspective:

Wyoming is the undisputed leader in crypto-friendly legislation, having passed over 30 blockchain-related laws. No personal or corporate income tax. Sales tax exemptions for mining equipment purchases above certain thresholds. Wyoming was the first state to legally recognize DAOs and issue a state-backed stablecoin (Frontier/FRNT in 2025). Combined with 13.91 cents residential electricity and ample wind power, Wyoming is an outstanding choice for small-to-medium mining operations.

Texas offers the most dynamic opportunity for sophisticated miners. The deregulated ERCOT market means industrial operators can access wholesale electricity rates as low as 4-5 cents/kWh through power purchase agreements. Texas also pioneered demand response programs for miners: when the grid is stressed (summer heat waves, winter storms), miners voluntarily curtail operations and receive credits. In Q3 2025 alone, one major mining company earned $30.6 million in curtailment credits — essentially getting paid to not mine during peak demand. For large-scale operations, Texas is exceptionally attractive despite its 16 cents average residential rate.

Arkansas and Oklahoma both passed legislation protecting the rights of individuals and businesses to mine cryptocurrency, preventing discriminatory utility rates targeting miners, and creating favorable tax treatment for mining operations.

Kentucky offers tax incentives for cryptocurrency mining equipment and has attracted several major mining operations with its combination of low coal-fired electricity rates and supportive state government.

New York, on the opposite end, enacted a 2022 moratorium on new fossil-fuel-powered proof-of-work mining operations. While existing operations and those powered by renewable energy are exempt, this makes New York hostile territory for new mining ventures despite upstate areas having cheap hydro power.

Residential vs. Industrial Electricity Rates: What Miners Need to Know

One of the most common mistakes new miners make is assuming the residential rate on their utility bill is the only rate available. In reality, there is a massive gap between what a homeowner pays and what an industrial customer pays for the same kilowatt-hour.

For most home miners, the residential rate is your rate. But there are legitimate strategies to access lower rates:

• Agricultural rate: If you have a farm or rural property, agricultural electricity rates are often 20-40% lower than residential. Some miners have relocated to rural properties specifically for this advantage.
• Separate meter: In some jurisdictions, you can install a separate electrical panel and meter for your mining operation, potentially qualifying for a different rate class.
• Hosting: If your local rates are too high, consider sending your miners to a hosting facility in a low-cost region. D-Central offers mining hosting services from Canada.
• Community choice aggregation (CCA): In states like California and New York, CCAs can offer slightly lower rates than the incumbent utility.

Time-of-Use (TOU) Strategies for Miners

Many utilities across North America now offer Time-of-Use pricing, where electricity costs vary by time of day. This creates a significant opportunity for miners who can schedule their operations intelligently.

How TOU Works for Mining

Typical TOU rate structures have three tiers:

• Off-peak (nights, weekends): 30-50% cheaper than the flat rate
• Mid-peak (mornings, evenings): Close to the flat rate
• On-peak (afternoon, early evening): 50-100% more expensive than the flat rate

Strategy 1 — Full Curtailment: Run miners only during off-peak hours (typically 7 PM to 7 AM on weekdays, all day on weekends). This captures roughly 65-75% of available mining time at the lowest rate. You sacrifice 25-35% of potential hashtime but at dramatically lower cost per hash. Best for regions where on-peak rates are 2x or more of off-peak rates.

Strategy 2 — Throttle Down: Run miners at full power during off-peak, reduce hashrate (and power draw) by 30-50% during mid-peak, and shut down during on-peak. Modern ASIC firmware supports power limit adjustments. This maximizes the electricity-cost-weighted hashrate across the full day.

Strategy 3 — Smart Automation: Use a smart plug, mining management software, or a home automation system to automatically switch miners on and off based on real-time electricity prices. This is especially powerful in deregulated markets like Texas and Alberta where wholesale rates can swing from negative (yes, you get paid to use electricity) to $1+/kWh within hours.

Ontario Example: A miner running an S21 Pro 24/7 at the flat rate of 14.1 cents/kWh CAD pays ~$355/month in electricity. The same miner on TOU pricing, running only during off-peak (7.6 cents) and mid-peak (12.2 cents) and shutting down during on-peak (15.8 cents), achieves an effective blended rate of ~9.5 cents/kWh while running roughly 80% of the time. Monthly electricity cost drops to ~$196 — a saving of $159/month or $1,908/year per machine.

Renewable Energy Alternatives: Mine Off-Grid or Offset Grid Costs

For miners in expensive electricity regions — or anyone wanting to maximize long-term profitability — renewable energy is increasingly the answer. The math has tipped decisively in favor of solar, wind, and micro-hydro for mining operations, especially when you factor in 20-25 year panel lifetimes against ever-rising grid rates. Read our detailed solar Bitcoin mining guide for Canada for a complete walkthrough.

Solar Mining

A properly sized solar array with battery storage can deliver an effective electricity cost of $0.03-0.06/kWh over the system lifetime — cheaper than any grid rate in North America. Key considerations:

• Upfront cost: A system large enough to power an S21 Pro 24/7 (3.5 kW + battery storage for nighttime) costs $15,000-$25,000 installed.
• Payback period: 4-7 years depending on location and local grid rate being offset.
• Best locations: US Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, Texas), Southern BC, Southern Ontario, Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan).
• Hybrid approach: Size solar to cover daytime mining, use grid power at off-peak TOU rates for nighttime. This dramatically reduces solar system cost while still cutting effective electricity rate by 50%+.

Wind Power

Small wind turbines (5-20 kW) are viable for mining in wind-rich regions: Great Plains states (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Dakotas), Canadian prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), and coastal areas. Wind and mining are natural partners because wind generation is often highest at night when grid demand (and TOU rates) are lowest — meaning your turbine generates excess power precisely when you would otherwise pay the most.

Micro-Hydro

If you have a property with a creek or stream with sufficient head and flow, micro-hydro is the ultimate mining power source: consistent 24/7 generation, very low cost per kWh ($0.01-0.03/kWh amortized), and minimal maintenance. Even a 5 kW micro-hydro system can power one or two ASICs perpetually. This is particularly relevant in BC, Quebec, and the Pacific Northwest states.

The Dual-Purpose Advantage: How Heat Offset Slashes Your Effective Electricity Cost

Here is the mining insight that changes the entire electricity cost equation: every watt consumed by a Bitcoin miner is converted to heat. An Antminer S21 Pro drawing 3,510 watts produces exactly 3,510 watts of heat — the same as a 3.5 kW electric space heater. During the heating season, that heat is not wasted — it is heating your home or shop, directly replacing the electricity, gas, or oil you would otherwise burn for the same purpose.

This is the core philosophy behind D-Central’s Bitcoin Space Heaters. When you use a miner as a heater, the effective electricity cost for mining drops to zero because you were going to pay for that heat anyway.

How to Calculate Your Effective Mining Electricity Cost

The formula is simple:

Effective Mining Cost = Actual Electricity Cost – Value of Heat Produced

If your electricity rate is $0.12/kWh and your miner replaces an electric heater you would have run anyway, the effective cost of mining is $0.00/kWh. If your miner replaces a natural gas furnace, the offset is partial (gas is typically cheaper per BTU than electric heating), but it still dramatically reduces your effective mining cost.

Dual-Purpose Mining by Climate Zone

This is why some of the “expensive” provinces and states become viable mining locations when you factor in heat offset. A miner in Ontario paying 14.1 cents/kWh with 7 months of heating season has an effective annual mining cost closer to 7-8 cents/kWh — suddenly very competitive. A miner in Manitoba at 10.2 cents with 8+ months of heating drops to an effective 2-3 cents/kWh. That is cheaper than any industrial rate on the continent.

D-Central’s Bitcoin Space Heater lineup is engineered specifically for this use case. From the Antminer S9-based units (perfect for small rooms at 1,350W) to full-power S19 and S21-based heaters for workshops and garages, these are mining machines designed to integrate with your living space — purpose-built enclosures that manage noise and direct heat where you need it.

The Full Picture: Choosing Your Mining Location

Electricity cost alone does not tell the whole story. Here is a framework for evaluating any location for mining viability, whether you are choosing between provinces, states, or even rooms in your house:

Side-by-Side Profitability Scenarios

To make the electricity cost impact concrete, here are profitability projections for the most popular miners at various electricity rates. All figures use February 2026 network conditions (BTC ~$68,000, difficulty ~125.86T, hashprice ~$0.034/TH/day).

Antminer S21 Pro (234 TH/s, 3,510W)

Antminer S21 (200 TH/s, 3,500W)

Antminer S19 Pro (110 TH/s, 3,250W)

The S19 Pro is effectively obsolete for pure profitability mining at any rate above ~$0.04/kWh. However, it remains an excellent candidate for space heater conversions where the heat offset brings the effective electricity cost to zero.

Strategies to Reduce Your Mining Electricity Cost

Regardless of your location, there are actionable strategies every miner should consider to lower their effective electricity cost:

1. Switch to Time-of-Use Pricing

If your utility offers TOU rates, switch immediately. Run miners during off-peak hours and curtail during on-peak. Potential savings: 20-40%.

2. Negotiate Your Rate

In deregulated markets (Texas, Alberta, parts of Ontario), you can shop for electricity providers and negotiate rates. Adding consistent baseload demand (which miners represent) can be attractive to power retailers. Ask about industrial or large-user rates even for residential-scale operations.

3. Use Miners as Heaters

This cannot be overstated. If you live anywhere with a heating season, your miner’s heat output is money. Replace electric space heaters, supplement gas/oil heating, or heat a workshop, garage, or greenhouse. This approach effectively cuts your mining electricity cost by 30-100% depending on your heating season length. See our Bitcoin Space Heater collection.

4. Install Solar Panels

Even a partial solar offset dramatically improves mining economics. A 5 kW solar array in a good location generates 6,000-8,000 kWh/year — enough to cover roughly 20-25% of an S21 Pro’s annual consumption. Lifetime solar electricity costs $0.03-0.06/kWh. Refer to our solar mining guide for detailed calculations.

5. Upgrade to Efficient Hardware

The difference between a 30 J/TH miner (S19 Pro) and a 15 J/TH miner (S21 Pro) means the S21 Pro produces twice the hashrate per watt consumed. At the same electricity rate, the S21 Pro’s break-even rate is double that of the S19 Pro. If you are mining at residential rates, hardware efficiency is your most important specification. See our 2026 ASIC comparison and buyer’s guide.

6. Consider Hosting

If your local rate is above the break-even threshold for your hardware, sending your machines to a hosting facility in a cheap-power region is better than mining at a loss at home. All-in hosting rates of $0.06-0.09/kWh beat residential rates in most of North America.

7. Mine Smarter with Demand Response

In Texas (ERCOT) and some other deregulated markets, you can participate in demand response programs that pay you to curtail mining during peak grid stress events. This effectively lowers your average electricity cost because you avoid the most expensive hours and get paid for doing so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Location Is a Mining Strategy

The data is clear: electricity cost is the primary determinant of mining profitability in 2026. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive jurisdictions in North America represents a 5-8x spread in electricity rates. A miner generating $113/month profit in Quebec would lose $140/month in California with the same hardware. Location is not just a convenience factor — it is a core mining strategy.

For Canadian miners, the path is clear: Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia offer the best residential rates on the continent, and when combined with cold-climate heat offset, effective mining costs can drop below $0.03/kWh — competitive with the cheapest industrial power anywhere in the world.

For US miners, the landscape is more complex. States like North Dakota, Idaho, and Louisiana offer the cheapest residential rates, while Texas and Washington provide the best industrial rates through wholesale markets and hydroelectric power. Wyoming and Arkansas lead in regulatory friendliness, offering a stable legal environment for mining operations.

Regardless of where you mine, the strategies in this guide — TOU pricing, solar power, heat recovery, efficient hardware, and hosting — can shift your effective electricity cost by 30-100%. The most successful home miners treat electricity as a problem to be engineered, not just an expense to be paid.

Ready to start mining? Use D-Central’s mining profitability calculator to model your exact situation, explore our 2026 miner comparison guide to choose the right hardware, and check out our Bitcoin Space Heater collection to turn your electricity bill into a dual-purpose investment.