Natural Gas Rates by State

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The latest available data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that the average U.S. residential natural gas rate was $19.83 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in May 2026. The average commercial natural gas rate was $12.29 per Mcf.

Among states reporting May data, Montana had the lowest average residential rate at $8.77 per Mcf, while Georgia had the highest at $33.28 per Mcf. Nevada had the lowest average commercial rate at $5.28 per Mcf, while Massachusetts had the highest at $22.01 per Mcf. The tables below compare residential and commercial rates by state and provide estimated monthly residential natural gas costs.

These figures are statewide monthly averages, not live supplier offers or today’s wholesale natural gas price. Available natural gas plans and prices vary by location.

All rates are shown in dollars per thousand cubic feet (Mcf).

Based on the latest available federal data, the estimated U.S. monthly residential natural gas cost was $75.60 per customer in May 2026. Among states with complete data, Tennessee had the lowest estimated cost at $25.56 per customer, while Alaska had the highest at $125.14. These estimates reflect statewide average prices and residential usage rather than individual utility bills.

We estimated monthly residential natural gas costs using the EIA’s May 2026 residential price, May 2026 residential volume delivered and the latest available residential customer count, which is from 2024.

For each state, we multiplied the residential rate by the residential volume delivered and then multiplied the result by 1,000. This converts volume reported in million cubic feet into thousand cubic feet, the unit used for EIA residential rates. We then divided that amount by the state’s residential customer count.

Estimated monthly residential natural gas cost = (residential rate × residential volume delivered × 1,000) ÷ residential customer count

Residential customer counts are published annually and may lag the monthly rate and usage data. These estimates are not official utility bills and may not include taxes, delivery charges, fixed customer charges, riders or supplier-specific charges. States without all three inputs are marked “NA” and excluded from the rankings.

Rankings are based on estimated May 2026 costs among states with complete data. A ranking of 1 indicates the lowest estimated cost. The U.S. average is not ranked.

In May 2026, the average U.S. commercial natural gas rate was $12.29 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), down 0.6% from $12.36 in April. The May commercial average was about 38% lower than the average residential rate of $19.83 per Mcf. Commercial rates can differ from residential rates because businesses may have different consumption patterns, service requirements and pricing structures. The table below compares April and May commercial rates and monthly changes by state.

All rates are shown in dollars per thousand cubic feet (Mcf).

Among states reporting May 2026 data, Montana had the lowest average residential natural gas rate at $8.77 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), while Georgia had the highest at $33.28 per Mcf. Nevada had the lowest average commercial rate at $5.28 per Mcf, while Massachusetts had the highest at $22.01 per Mcf. The rankings below compare the 10 lowest and highest residential and commercial rates. States without May data are excluded.

U.S. residential natural gas rates have increased in each May comparison since 2023. The national average reached $19.83 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in May 2026, up 3.1% from May 2025 and 17.6% from May 2023, according to historical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The year-over-year increase slowed from 8.9% in May 2025 to 3.1% in May 2026. Comparing the same month each year helps account for seasonal differences in residential natural gas rates.

What state has the highest natural gas rates?

Among states with available May 2026 data, Georgia had the highest average residential natural gas rate at $33.28 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). Massachusetts had the highest commercial rate at $22.01 per Mcf. These figures are statewide averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), not current supplier offers.

What state has the cheapest natural gas rates?

Montana had the lowest average residential natural gas rate in May 2026 at $8.77 per Mcf. Nevada had the lowest commercial rate at $5.28 per Mcf. States without available data for the month were excluded from the comparison.

What is the average natural gas bill?

Choose Energy estimates that the average U.S. residential natural gas cost was $75.60 per customer in May 2026. This is a national estimate based on EIA price, usage and customer-count data, not an average bill reported by individual utilities. Actual bills depend on household usage, local rates, utility fees, taxes and other charges.

Why do natural gas rates vary by state?

Natural gas rates vary because states have different supply conditions, pipeline access, customer demand, distribution costs, taxes, regulations and levels of supplier competition. Weather can also affect demand and market prices. According to the EIA, the amount consumers pay generally includes both the commodity cost of the gas and the cost of transporting and delivering it.

Are natural gas prices today the same as residential natural gas rates?

No. A natural gas price reported today may refer to a wholesale spot price, a futures contract or a current supplier offer. Residential rates represent the average price delivered to households and include transportation, distribution, taxes and other charges. Retail rate changes may also lag changes in wholesale natural gas prices.

How are estimated natural gas bills calculated?

Choose Energy estimates monthly residential natural gas costs using the EIA’s monthly residential rate, monthly residential volume delivered and latest available annual residential customer count. The calculation multiplies the rate by statewide residential volume, converts million cubic feet to thousand cubic feet and divides the result by the number of customers. Because customer counts are published annually, the May 2026 estimates use 2024 customer counts. These estimates represent statewide averages and will not match every household’s utility bill.

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