AC running cost in Massachusetts
A typical 2,000 sq ft Massachusetts home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 584 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $176, peaking in Jul at about $74.
At a glance
Massachusetts ranks 26th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (30.14¢/kWh) is 66% higher than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 2nd highest. Its climate brings 516 cooling degree days a year (36th most), so cooling demand is 53% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 42% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Jun–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $176 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 30.14¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 30.49¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 516 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $39 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Massachusetts yet, so this page uses the EIA statewide average. Your utility's rate may differ, so enter it in the calculator below.
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B and Table 5.6.A; NOAA NCEI nClimDiv. Statewide averages hide large local differences.
Compared with neighboring states
| State | Price | CDD/yr | Yearly AC cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 29.38¢ | 618 | $206 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | 607 | $192 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | 563 | $186 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | 516 | $176 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | 299 | $91 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | 223 | $61 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Mar | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| May | 8 | 10 | $3 |
| Jun | 76 | 86 | $26 |
| Jul ★ | 217 | 246 | $74 |
| Aug | 177 | 201 | $60 |
| Sep | 37 | 42 | $13 |
| Oct | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Dec | 0 | 0 | $0 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in Massachusetts.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $114 | $106 | $92 | $82 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $152 | $141 | $123 | $109 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $189 | $176 | $154 | $137 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $237 | $220 | $192 | $171 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $284 | $264 | $231 | $205 |
Average insulation; 30.14¢/kWh.
AC monthly running cost calculator
| Month | Cooling degree days | kWh | Cost |
|---|
Price defaults to the state's EIA average residential price (July 2026 YTD); edit it to match your bill. Climate: NOAA state cooling degree days, 1991–2020 average. How this works.