Natural Gas Rates by State
What are you actually paying for natural gas — and could you be paying less? We compare prices, bills, and supplier options across all 50 states.
What Americans Pay for Natural Gas
The average U.S. household spends about $72/month on natural gas — but your bill depends heavily on where you live, how cold your winters are, and whether you can shop for a competitive supplier.
New England states pay the most — Massachusetts and Connecticut average over $100/month thanks to high prices and cold winters. The cheapest gas bills are in the South and Southwest, where mild weather means less heating demand. Florida averages just $38/month.
In deregulated states, you can choose your gas supplier and potentially save 10–30% on the supply portion of your bill.
Natural Gas Rates by State
Average residential price per therm, estimated monthly bill, annual consumption, and whether you can choose your gas supplier. Click any column to sort.
| # | State ↕ | $/Therm ↕ | Avg Bill ↕ | Annual Therms ↕ | Supplier Choice ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $0.95 | $58/mo | 611 | Yes |
| 2 | North Dakota | $0.98 | $62/mo | 633 | No |
| 3 | Idaho | $0.98 | $52/mo | 531 | No |
| 4 | Utah | $1.02 | $52/mo | 510 | No |
| 5 | Montana | $1.05 | $62/mo | 590 | Yes |
| 6 | New Mexico | $1.05 | $50/mo | 476 | No |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $1.05 | $72/mo | 686 | No |
| 8 | Colorado | $1.08 | $65/mo | 602 | No |
| 9 | Michigan | $1.08 | $78/mo | 722 | Yes |
| 10 | South Dakota | $1.08 | $64/mo | 593 | No |
| 11 | Minnesota | $1.12 | $76/mo | 679 | No |
| 12 | Indiana | $1.12 | $72/mo | 643 | Yes |
| 13 | Nebraska | $1.14 | $66/mo | 579 | No |
| 14 | Iowa | $1.15 | $70/mo | 609 | No |
| 15 | Illinois | $1.18 | $82/mo | 695 | Yes |
| 16 | Alaska | $1.18 | $68/mo | 580 | No |
| 17 | Ohio | $1.18 | $78/mo | 661 | Yes |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $1.22 | $56/mo | 459 | No |
| 19 | Arkansas | $1.24 | $62/mo | 500 | No |
| 20 | West Virginia | $1.28 | $68/mo | 531 | No |
| 21 | Kansas | $1.28 | $68/mo | 531 | No |
| 22 | New Jersey | $1.28 | $86/mo | 672 | Yes |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $1.32 | $82/mo | 621 | Yes |
| 24 | Washington | $1.32 | $58/mo | 439 | No |
| 25 | Missouri | $1.32 | $72/mo | 545 | No |
| 26 | Kentucky | $1.32 | $70/mo | 530 | Yes |
| 27 | Tennessee | $1.35 | $62/mo | 459 | No |
| 28 | Nevada | $1.38 | $48/mo | 348 | Yes |
| 29 | Texas | $1.38 | $52/mo | 377 | Yes |
| 30 | Delaware | $1.42 | $82/mo | 578 | Yes |
| 31 | North Carolina | $1.42 | $62/mo | 437 | No |
| 32 | Oregon | $1.42 | $58/mo | 408 | No |
| 33 | Louisiana | $1.45 | $52/mo | 358 | No |
| 34 | Virginia | $1.45 | $78/mo | 538 | Yes |
| 35 | South Carolina | $1.48 | $56/mo | 378 | No |
| 36 | Maryland | $1.48 | $88/mo | 595 | Yes |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $1.51 | $80/mo | 530 | Yes |
| 38 | Arizona | $1.52 | $54/mo | 356 | No |
| 39 | Georgia | $1.56 | $74/mo | 474 | Yes |
| 40 | Mississippi | $1.58 | $58/mo | 367 | No |
| 41 | New York | $1.62 | $98/mo | 605 | Yes |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $1.75 | $92/mo | 526 | Yes |
| 43 | Connecticut | $1.78 | $106/mo | 596 | Yes |
| 44 | Massachusetts | $1.82 | $108/mo | 593 | Yes |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $1.85 | $90/mo | 486 | Yes |
| 46 | Alabama | $1.87 | $78/mo | 412 | No |
| 47 | Vermont | $1.88 | $82/mo | 436 | Yes |
| 48 | California | $1.89 | $72/mo | 382 | Yes |
| 49 | Maine | $1.92 | $78/mo | 406 | Yes |
| 50 | Florida | $2.18 | $38/mo | 174 | No |
| 51 | Hawaii | $4.58 | $42/mo | 92 | No |
Understanding Your Gas Bill
Your natural gas bill isn't just one charge — it's split into supply and delivery. In deregulated states, understanding this split is how you save money.
Gas Supply Charge
The commodity cost of the gas itself. This is the portion you can shop for in deregulated markets. Rates can be fixed or variable, and competitive suppliers often beat the utility's default rate.
Delivery & Distribution
The cost of transporting gas through local pipelines to your home. Set by your utility and regulated by the state — this stays the same regardless of which supplier you choose.
Shopping for a Supplier
In deregulated states, comparing gas suppliers can save 10–30% on the supply portion. Lock in a fixed rate before winter to avoid price spikes during peak heating season.
Reducing Consumption
Upgrading to a 95%+ AFUE furnace, sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and using a smart thermostat can cut gas usage 20–40%. Each degree you lower your thermostat saves ~3%.
How Natural Gas Gets to Your Home
From underground wells to your furnace in five steps.
Extraction
Drilled from underground rock formations across major U.S. basins.
Processing
Impurities removed, leaving clean pipeline-quality methane.
Transmission
High-pressure pipelines move gas across the country — 3M+ miles.
Distribution
Your utility reduces pressure and delivers to your meter.
Home Use
Gas flows to furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and dryers.
Live in a Deregulated State?
Compare gas and electricity rates from competing suppliers. Enter your ZIP code to see what's available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average natural gas bill in the U.S.?
The average household pays about $72/month, but it varies enormously by state and season. Winter bills can be 3–4x higher than summer. Massachusetts and Connecticut average over $100/month, while Florida and Arizona are under $55/month.
Can I choose my natural gas supplier?
In 21 deregulated states, yes. Your local utility still delivers the gas, but you pick who supplies it. Ohio, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan are among the largest deregulated gas markets. Shopping can save 10–30% on supply charges.
What's the difference between supply and delivery charges?
Supply is the commodity cost of the gas. Delivery is the cost of piping it to your home. In deregulated markets, you can shop for supply; delivery is set by your utility and stays the same regardless of supplier. Supply typically makes up 40–60% of your total bill.
How is natural gas measured and priced?
Gas is measured in therms or CCF (hundred cubic feet). One therm ≈ 100 cubic feet ≈ 100,000 BTU. The national average is about $1.47/therm, ranging from under $1.00 in Wyoming and Idaho to over $2.00 in Florida and Hawaii.
How can I lower my natural gas bill?
The biggest wins: (1) Lower your thermostat 1–2 degrees — each degree saves ~3%. (2) Seal air leaks and add insulation. (3) Upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace (95%+ AFUE). (4) Use a smart thermostat. (5) In deregulated states, shop for a competitive supplier. (6) Service your furnace annually.
Is natural gas cheaper than electricity for heating?
Usually, yes — gas heating costs 30–50% less than electric resistance heating in most of the U.S. However, modern heat pumps can be more cost-effective in mild and moderate climates. The math depends on your local gas and electricity rates.
Where does this data come from?
Price data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Natural Gas Monthly reports. Bill estimates calculated from EIA residential consumption and price data. Deregulation status sourced from state public utility commissions.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Natural Gas Monthly, EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), state public utility commission filings. Price and consumption data reflect 2025–2026 estimates and may vary by utility territory and season.