AC running cost in Minnesota
A typical 2,000 sq ft Minnesota home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 516 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $84, peaking in Jul at about $33.
At a glance
Minnesota ranks 38th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (16.25¢/kWh) is 11% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 21st highest. Its climate brings 456 cooling degree days a year (39th most), so cooling demand is 58% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 39% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $84 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 16.25¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 17.45¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 456 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $19 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 14.2¢ | 809 | $130 |
| South Dakota | 14.5¢ | 688 | $113 |
| Wisconsin | 19¢ | 514 | $111 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | 456 | $84 |
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | 444 | $62 |
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 | 1 | $0 |
| May | 25 | 28 | $5 |
| Jun | 97 | 110 | $18 |
| Jul ★ | 178 | 202 | $33 |
| Aug | 127 | 144 | $23 |
| Sep | 28 | 32 | $5 |
| Oct | 0 | 0 | $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 Minnesota.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $54 | $50 | $44 | $39 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $72 | $67 | $59 | $52 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $90 | $84 | $73 | $65 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $113 | $105 | $92 | $82 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $136 | $126 | $110 | $98 |
Average insulation; 16.25¢/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.