Average Heating Bill by State 2026: Monthly Gas and Electric Costs

Heating costs are one of the most variable home energy expenses — determined by your climate, heating fuel, home size, and system efficiency. A homeowner in Miami spends almost nothing on heating. One in Minneapolis can spend $2,000–$3,000 per year.

This guide breaks down average heating bills by state and fuel type so you know what's typical for your market — and what's worth improving.

Average Annual Heating Cost by Fuel Type

Before looking at state-level data, it helps to understand how fuel type drives heating cost. These ranges assume a 2,000 sq ft home in a cold-climate state (Zone 5–6):

| Heating Fuel | Annual Heating Cost | Monthly (Winter Peak) | Avg Efficiency | |---|---|---|---| | Natural gas (80% AFUE furnace) | $900–$1,400 | $150–$250 | 80% AFUE | | Natural gas (96% AFUE furnace) | $650–$1,050 | $110–$185 | 96% AFUE | | Electric heat pump (modern) | $700–$1,100 | $120–$200 | COP 2.5–3.5 | | Electric resistance (baseboard/strip) | $2,000–$3,500 | $350–$600 | 100% (COP 1.0) | | Heating oil | $1,600–$3,200 | $280–$560 | 83–87% AFUE | | Propane | $1,200–$2,200 | $200–$380 | 80–96% AFUE | | Wood/pellet | $600–$1,200 | $100–$200 | Varies widely |

Average Heating Bill by State

The table below shows estimated average annual heating costs. Winter-month bills will be 3–6× the monthly average during cold months in northern states.

| State | Primary Heating Fuel | Avg Annual Cost | Avg Monthly (winter peak) | Climate Zone | |---|---|---|---|---| | Alabama | Natural gas / electric | $700–$1,100 | $80–$160 | Zone 3 | | Alaska | Natural gas / oil / propane | $2,200–$4,000 | $400–$700 | Zone 7–8 | | Arizona | Natural gas / electric | $400–$700 | $60–$120 | Zone 2–3 | | Arkansas | Natural gas | $800–$1,200 | $100–$180 | Zone 3–4 | | California | Natural gas / electric | $500–$900 | $70–$150 | Zone 3–4 | | Colorado | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$220 | Zone 5–6 | | Connecticut | Natural gas / oil | $1,400–$2,400 | $200–$380 | Zone 5–6 | | Delaware | Natural gas | $900–$1,300 | $130–$200 | Zone 4–5 | | Florida | Natural gas / electric | $250–$500 | $50–$100 | Zone 1–2 | | Georgia | Natural gas / electric | $700–$1,100 | $90–$160 | Zone 3–4 | | Hawaii | Electric | $300–$600 | $80–$150 | Zone 1 | | Idaho | Natural gas / electric | $800–$1,200 | $110–$180 | Zone 5–6 | | Illinois | Natural gas | $1,000–$1,600 | $150–$250 | Zone 5 | | Indiana | Natural gas | $1,000–$1,600 | $150–$250 | Zone 5 | | Iowa | Natural gas | $1,100–$1,700 | $160–$270 | Zone 5–6 | | Kansas | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$220 | Zone 4–5 | | Kentucky | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$210 | Zone 4–5 | | Louisiana | Natural gas / electric | $500–$800 | $70–$130 | Zone 2–3 | | Maine | Oil / natural gas | $1,800–$3,200 | $260–$500 | Zone 6–7 | | Maryland | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$210 | Zone 4–5 | | Massachusetts | Natural gas / oil | $1,300–$2,200 | $190–$350 | Zone 5–6 | | Michigan | Natural gas | $1,100–$1,700 | $160–$270 | Zone 5–6 | | Minnesota | Natural gas | $1,300–$2,000 | $190–$320 | Zone 6–7 | | Mississippi | Natural gas / electric | $700–$1,100 | $90–$160 | Zone 2–3 | | Missouri | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$220 | Zone 4–5 | | Montana | Natural gas / propane | $1,200–$1,900 | $170–$300 | Zone 6–7 | | Nebraska | Natural gas | $1,000–$1,600 | $150–$250 | Zone 5–6 | | Nevada | Natural gas / electric | $700–$1,100 | $100–$170 | Zone 3–5 | | New Hampshire | Oil / natural gas | $1,600–$2,800 | $230–$440 | Zone 6 | | New Jersey | Natural gas | $1,100–$1,700 | $160–$270 | Zone 5 | | New Mexico | Natural gas | $700–$1,100 | $100–$170 | Zone 4–5 | | New York | Natural gas / oil | $1,200–$2,000 | $170–$320 | Zone 5–6 | | North Carolina | Natural gas / heat pump | $800–$1,200 | $110–$185 | Zone 4 | | North Dakota | Natural gas | $1,400–$2,200 | $200–$350 | Zone 6–7 | | Ohio | Natural gas | $1,000–$1,600 | $150–$250 | Zone 5 | | Oklahoma | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$220 | Zone 3–4 | | Oregon | Natural gas / electric | $800–$1,200 | $110–$190 | Zone 4–5 | | Pennsylvania | Natural gas | $1,000–$1,600 | $150–$250 | Zone 5 | | Rhode Island | Natural gas / oil | $1,300–$2,200 | $190–$350 | Zone 5–6 | | South Carolina | Natural gas / heat pump | $700–$1,100 | $100–$170 | Zone 3–4 | | South Dakota | Natural gas / propane | $1,100–$1,700 | $160–$270 | Zone 6 | | Tennessee | Natural gas / heat pump | $800–$1,200 | $110–$185 | Zone 4 | | Texas | Natural gas / electric | $600–$1,000 | $90–$160 | Zone 2–3 | | Utah | Natural gas | $800–$1,200 | $110–$185 | Zone 5–6 | | Vermont | Oil / natural gas / heat pump | $1,600–$2,800 | $230–$440 | Zone 6–7 | | Virginia | Natural gas / heat pump | $800–$1,300 | $110–$200 | Zone 4–5 | | Washington | Natural gas / electric | $700–$1,100 | $100–$170 | Zone 4–5 | | West Virginia | Natural gas | $900–$1,400 | $130–$210 | Zone 5 | | Wisconsin | Natural gas | $1,200–$1,800 | $170–$285 | Zone 6 | | Wyoming | Natural gas / propane | $1,100–$1,700 | $160–$270 | Zone 6–7 |

The Oil Heating Problem in New England

New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts and New York) still has the highest concentration of oil-heated homes in the US. Oil heat is the most expensive common heating option:

• Average oil heat in a 2,000 sq ft New England home: $2,500–$3,500/year
• Average equivalent gas heat: $1,200–$1,800/year
• Average equivalent heat pump: $900–$1,500/year

This is why the Northeast has seen the highest heat pump adoption growth — the economics are compelling when replacing expensive oil or propane systems. See our heat pump installation cost guide and heat pump rebates by state for program details specific to New England.

What Drives Your Heating Bill

1. Climate Severity (Heating Degree Days)

Heating degree days (HDD) measure how cold your winter is. A day with an average temperature 10°F below 65°F contributes 10 HDD. Annual HDD roughly predicts heating demand:

| Location | Annual HDD | Relative Heating Demand | |---|---|---| | Miami, FL | 150 | Minimal | | Houston, TX | 1,400 | Low | | Nashville, TN | 3,200 | Moderate | | Columbus, OH | 5,400 | High | | Minneapolis, MN | 8,200 | Very high | | Anchorage, AK | 10,800 | Extreme |

2. Heating Fuel and System Efficiency

As shown in the fuel comparison table above, electric resistance heat costs 2–3× more than gas heat for the same output. Modern heat pumps narrow this gap significantly — running on electricity but delivering 2.5–4× more heat than electricity consumed.

3. Home Size and Insulation

Heating cost scales roughly with heated square footage and insulation quality:

• A well-insulated 1,500 sq ft home in Chicago: ~$900/year gas heat
• A poorly insulated 2,500 sq ft home in Chicago: ~$2,400/year gas heat
• Same 2,500 sq ft home after attic insulation + air sealing: ~$1,700/year

4. Thermostat Habits

Thermostat setpoint has a direct linear effect on heating cost. The DOE estimates:

• Each degree Fahrenheit of setback for 8+ hours/day: ~1% savings
• Setting back 7–10°F for 8 hours while sleeping and away: 10% annual heating savings
• A smart thermostat automates this: typical savings $140–$180/year

How to Reduce Your Heating Bill

Fastest payback (under 3 years):

• Smart thermostat: $130–$250, saves $140–$180/year
• DIY air sealing: $50–$150, saves $100–$300/year
• HVAC filter maintenance: minimal cost, prevents 5–15% efficiency loss

Medium payback (3–8 years):

• Attic insulation top-up (R-11 → R-49): $1,500–$3,500, saves $200–$500/year
• High-efficiency furnace (80% → 96% AFUE): $1,000–$1,500 premium, saves $150–$300/year

Longer payback but transformative:

• Heat pump replacing oil/propane/resistance heat: $6,000–$14,000, saves $600–$1,800/year
• Heat pump + solar combination: near-zero heating operating cost long-term

For a complete prioritized list, see our how to lower your electric bill guide and our home insulation cost guide for insulation project pricing.