EIA data through August 2026 · updated 2026-10-29

Heating costs in Iowa

The cheapest way to heat a home in Iowa at today's average prices is natural gas ($10.93 per million BTU of heat), then heat pump ($15.21). A heat pump costs 39.1% more to run than a gas furnace.

Heating oil$5.89/galOct 26, 2026 · +87.9% y/y

Propane$1.75/galOct 26, 2026 · +14.7% y/y

Natural gas$10.20/Mcfwinter 2025–26 avg. · Jul 2026: $23.93

Electricity17.1¢/kWhAugust 2026 · +10.2% y/y

Cheapest way to heat a home in Iowa

cost of the same amount of heat

Your home's heating need per winter: 50 million BTU

Heat source	Price used	Per million BTU of heat	Per winter
Natural gas cheapest	$10.20/Mcf · winter 2025–26 avg.	$10.93	$547
Heat pump	13.0¢/kWh ÷ COP 2.5	$15.21	$760
Propane	$1.75/gal · Oct 26, 2026	$21.20	$1,060
Electric resistance	13.0¢/kWh · winter 2025–26 avg.	$38.01	$1,901
Heating oil	$5.89/gal · Oct 26, 2026	$50.04	$2,502

How we compare: fuel price ÷ (energy content × efficiency). Assumptions — heating oil 138,500 BTU/gal at 85%, propane 91,500 BTU/gal at 90%, natural gas 1,037,000 BTU per Mcf at 90%, electric resistance 100%, heat pump seasonal COP 2.5 (lower in very cold weather). Gas and electricity use last winter's average price; oil and propane the latest weekly survey. Delivery fees, tank rental and fixed charges vary and are not included.

Heating oil in Iowa, winter by winter

2023–242024–252025–262026–27 (this winter)Weekly survey, Oct–Mar · hover a point for the exact price

U.S. average: $6.23/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).

Propane in Iowa, winter by winter

2023–242024–252025–262026–27 (this winter)Weekly survey, Oct–Mar · hover a point for the exact price

U.S. average: $2.73/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).

Natural gas price in Iowa

Residential natural gas, $ per McfMonthly · summer prices per Mcf run higher because fixed charges are spread over less gas

Average price paid by homes, including delivery charges. Source: EIA Natural Gas Monthly.

Electricity in Iowa

Electric heat and heat pumps run on your utility's rate. See Iowa electricity rates by utility and ZIP code →

Questions

How much is heating oil in Iowa?

$5.89 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+87.9% vs. a year earlier).

How much is propane in Iowa?

$1.75 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+14.7% vs. a year earlier).

Is a heat pump cheaper than gas in Iowa?

Not at average prices: a heat pump (seasonal COP 2.5) costs $15.21 per million BTU of heat, 39.1% more than a 90% gas furnace at $10.93. A higher-efficiency heat pump or a lower electricity rate can change this.

What is the cheapest way to heat a home in Iowa?

At current average prices: natural gas $10.93, heat pump $15.21, propane $21.20, electric resistance $38.01, heating oil $50.04 per million BTU of delivered heat (cheapest first).