Propane Usage by State
Propane consumption varies dramatically across the United States due to differences in climate, propane pricing, and the availability of alternative fuels like natural gas. States in the northern tier with high Heating Degree Days (HDD) consume far more propane for space heating than states in the South and Southwest. Propane prices also vary significantly by region, with Midwest states near propane production and distribution hubs enjoying lower prices than coastal and island states where transportation costs add to the delivered price.
The table below ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia by Heating Degree Days, which measures how much heating a location requires relative to a 65-degree baseline. Higher HDD means colder winters and greater propane demand for heating. Click any state name to see detailed propane usage estimates, cost calculations for common appliance configurations, and state-specific tips for reducing propane consumption.
Understanding your state's climate zone and average propane price is essential for accurate budget planning. A homeowner in Minnesota (7,981 HDD) will spend roughly three times more on propane heating than a homeowner with an identical home in North Carolina (3,320 HDD). Similarly, propane at $1.85 per gallon in Minnesota versus $3.55 per gallon in Massachusetts means the per-gallon cost difference can offset some of the climate advantage.
All States Ranked by Heating Demand
| Rank | State | Abbr | Heating Degree Days | Avg Propane Price | Climate Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | AK | 10,460 | $3.85 | 7 |
| 2 | North Dakota | ND | 8,851 | $1.80 | 6 |
| 3 | Minnesota | MN | 7,981 | $1.85 | 6 |
| 4 | Vermont | VT | 7,578 | $3.50 | 6 |
| 5 | Maine | ME | 7,511 | $3.50 | 6 |
| 6 | Montana | MT | 7,463 | $2.50 | 6 |
| 7 | Wyoming | WY | 7,381 | $2.45 | 6 |
| 8 | South Dakota | SD | 7,328 | $1.85 | 6 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | WI | 7,324 | $2.10 | 6 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | NH | 7,150 | $3.45 | 6 |
| 11 | Michigan | MI | 6,827 | $2.45 | 5 |
| 12 | Iowa | IA | 6,710 | $1.95 | 5 |
| 13 | Nebraska | NE | 6,312 | $1.95 | 5 |
| 14 | Illinois | IL | 6,136 | $2.25 | 5 |
| 15 | Colorado | CO | 6,128 | $2.55 | 5 |
| 16 | Connecticut | CT | 5,958 | $3.45 | 5 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | MA | 5,930 | $3.55 | 5 |
| 18 | New York | NY | 5,882 | $3.40 | 5 |
| 19 | Idaho | ID | 5,833 | $2.40 | 5 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | RI | 5,681 | $3.40 | 5 |
| 21 | Ohio | OH | 5,641 | $2.35 | 5 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | PA | 5,637 | $3.05 | 5 |
| 23 | Indiana | IN | 5,521 | $2.20 | 5 |
| 24 | Utah | UT | 5,507 | $2.55 | 5 |
| 25 | Washington | WA | 5,145 | $2.90 | 4 |
| 26 | Kansas | KS | 4,987 | $2.15 | 4 |
| 27 | New Jersey | NJ | 4,980 | $3.30 | 4 |
| 28 | West Virginia | WV | 4,780 | $2.70 | 4 |
| 29 | Missouri | MO | 4,750 | $2.20 | 4 |
| 30 | Oregon | OR | 4,726 | $2.85 | 4 |
| 31 | Maryland | MD | 4,707 | $3.15 | 4 |
| 32 | Delaware | DE | 4,600 | $3.10 | 4 |
| 33 | Kentucky | KY | 4,300 | $2.35 | 4 |
| 34 | New Mexico | NM | 4,284 | $2.65 | 4 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | DC | 4,224 | $3.25 | 4 |
| 36 | Virginia | VA | 3,960 | $2.75 | 4 |
| 37 | Nevada | NV | 3,890 | $2.75 | 3 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | OK | 3,588 | $2.10 | 3 |
| 39 | Tennessee | TN | 3,578 | $2.40 | 4 |
| 40 | North Carolina | NC | 3,320 | $2.65 | 3 |
| 41 | Arkansas | AR | 3,200 | $2.30 | 3 |
| 42 | California | CA | 2,870 | $3.20 | 3 |
| 43 | Alabama | AL | 2,600 | $2.45 | 3 |
| 44 | South Carolina | SC | 2,530 | $2.55 | 3 |
| 45 | Georgia | GA | 2,380 | $2.50 | 3 |
| 46 | Mississippi | MS | 2,200 | $2.45 | 3 |
| 47 | Texas | TX | 1,711 | $2.30 | 2 |
| 48 | Louisiana | LA | 1,690 | $2.40 | 2 |
| 49 | Arizona | AZ | 1,350 | $2.60 | 2 |
| 50 | Florida | FL | 683 | $2.95 | 1 |
| 51 | Hawaii | HI | 0 | $4.50 | 1 |
Very Cold (Zone 7) States
Cold (Zone 6) States
Cool (Zone 5) States
Mixed (Zone 4) States
Warm (Zone 3) States
Hot-Humid (Zone 2) States
Hot (Zone 1) States
Understanding Heating Degree Days
Heating Degree Days (HDD) is a measurement used by energy professionals to quantify the demand for heating energy at a given location. For each day that the average outdoor temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the number of degrees below 65 is added to the annual HDD total. For example, a day with an average temperature of 35 degrees contributes 30 HDD. Over an entire year, these daily values accumulate into the annual HDD figure shown for each state.
HDD directly correlates with propane heating consumption. A home in Alaska (10,460 HDD) requires roughly twice the heating fuel of the same home in Colorado (6,128 HDD), all other factors being equal. The relationship is approximately linear, meaning you can use the ratio of two states' HDD values to estimate the relative heating fuel consumption. This is the principle behind our calculator's state adjustment factor, which scales heating appliance usage by the ratio of the selected state's HDD to the 5,000 HDD national baseline.
Climate zones group states with similar heating and cooling requirements. Zone 1 (hot climates like Florida and Hawaii) has minimal heating demand but significant cooling needs. Zone 7 (very cold climates like Alaska) has extreme heating demand with short, mild summers. Most propane consumption for heating occurs in Zones 4 through 7, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing for extended periods. States in Zones 1 and 2 primarily use propane for non-heating applications like cooking, water heating, and pool heating.
Why Propane Prices Vary by State
Propane prices vary by state due to a combination of supply chain logistics, regional competition, regulatory costs, and seasonal demand patterns. States near major propane production areas (Kansas, Texas, North Dakota) and pipeline hubs (Mont Belvieu, Texas and Conway, Kansas) benefit from lower transportation costs and typically have the lowest retail prices. Midwest states like Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota enjoy prices under $2.00 per gallon due to proximity to Conway hub pricing and strong dealer competition.
Conversely, states on the East Coast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York) and isolated areas (Hawaii, Alaska) face higher prices due to longer transportation distances, higher operating costs, and in some cases, limited competition among dealers. Hawaii has the highest propane prices in the nation because all propane must be shipped by ocean tanker. New England states pay a premium because propane must travel by rail, truck, or barge from Gulf Coast refineries and Midwest hubs.
Seasonal price fluctuations also affect costs. Propane prices typically rise 15-30% during winter heating season (November through March) when demand peaks. Pre-buying propane at a fixed summer price through a dealer contract is one of the most effective strategies for reducing annual propane costs. Budget billing programs that spread annual costs across 12 equal monthly payments help with cash flow management even though they do not reduce the total cost.