Wisconsin Propane Price 2026: Cost Per Gallon, Suppliers & Delivery

Wisconsin residential propane averages $2.52 per gallon in 2026, almost exactly the Midwest regional average of $2.47 and roughly 9% below the $2.78 national price. This page breaks down what you actually pay per fill, which suppliers serve the state, when to lock in summer prices, and how WHEAP can offset costs for income-qualified households.

Last verified 27 April 2026 · Sourced from EIA Wisconsin residential propane price survey

Wisconsin Pricing Snapshot

Wisconsin price

$2.52/gal

EIA 2026 residential survey

Midwest regional average

$2.47/gal

12-state Midwest weighted mean

National average

$2.78/gal

All 50 states, residential

Wisconsin vs national

-9.4%

26 cents/gal cheaper than US average

Wisconsin vs Midwest

+2.0%

5 cents/gal above regional average

Wisconsin vs Northeast

-29.4%

$1.05/gal cheaper than $3.57 NE avg

The honest framing: Wisconsin is mid-priced relative to the country, sitting almost exactly on the Midwest average. It is meaningfully cheaper than the Northeast (where Vermont hits $3.95 and Massachusetts $3.89) and slightly more expensive than its western Midwest neighbours like Iowa ($2.22) and Nebraska ($2.24). Wisconsin households heating with propane are paying roughly $200-$300 less per year than households of similar size in Pennsylvania or New York.

Why Wisconsin Propane Prices Are Competitive

Four structural factors keep Wisconsin propane pricing close to the Midwest floor and well below Northeast and West Coast levels:

1. Pipeline access to Canadian and Gulf production. Wisconsin sits on the Midwest propane distribution network served by the Cochin pipeline (which carries Canadian propane from Edmonton) and US pipeline supply linked to Sarnia, Ontario fractionators. Wholesale propane never has to travel far to reach Wisconsin terminals, keeping freight costs low.

2. Multi-supplier rural market. Northern and rural Wisconsin runs on propane heat, which means the state supports dense competitive supplier networks: Lakes Gas alone operates 60+ Upper Midwest depots, alongside national chains (AmeriGas, Suburban Propane, Ferrellgas) and family-owned regionals (Northwoods Propane, Hilgy's LP Gas, Northern Lakes Propane, Quality Propane & Fuels). Customers can usually source three quotes within 30 miles.

3. Propane heat is dominant in northern Wisconsin. Vilas, Oneida, Sawyer, Bayfield, Iron, Ashland, and surrounding northern counties largely lack natural gas service. Propane is the default heating fuel for rural homes and lake cabins. The high heating-season volume means suppliers can run efficient delivery routes and price competitively rather than carrying low-volume rural premiums.

4. Short trucking distance from Iowa and Minnesota production. Iowa fractionators and Minnesota terminals supply much of the western and central Wisconsin market. Trucking distances of 100-300 miles are short by US propane standards (compare to the 1,500+ miles propane travels to reach interior Northeast states), which is the single largest reason Iowa ($2.22) and Wisconsin ($2.52) come in well below Pennsylvania ($3.28) and Vermont ($3.95).

Wisconsin Propane Suppliers

The eight suppliers below are confirmed-active in Wisconsin via state records, supplier websites, and the Wisconsin DSPS LPG Directory. We do not list suppliers we cannot independently verify. For a fill quote, contact at least three: ideally one national, one regional, and one local family-owned operator.

AmeriGas

National chain

Largest US retail propane company. Multiple Wisconsin offices including Wisconsin Rapids. Automatic, on-demand, and fixed-delivery options.

Suburban Propane

National chain

95+ years in the propane business with Wisconsin residential and commercial coverage. Service contracts and tank installation available.

Ferrellgas

National chain

Active Wisconsin operations confirmed via the Wisconsin DSPS LPG Directory. Nearly 85 years as a US propane provider; offers Blue Rhino tank exchange.

Lakes Gas

Upper Midwest regional

60+ locations across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Illinois. Trusted regional player since 1959. Locations include Madison, Eau Claire, and Hager City.

Northwoods Propane

Northern WI local

Locally owned, based in Rice Lake, WI. Full-service residential delivery with a 'why pay more' competitive-pricing positioning.

Hilgy's LP Gas

Northern WI local

Family-owned and operating since 1958. Serves most of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Northern Lakes Propane & Energy Center

Northern WI local

Propane and bulk fuels for residential heating, commercial accounts, and equipment. Northern Wisconsin coverage.

Quality Propane & Fuels

Northern WI local

Residential and commercial propane and fuel delivery across northern Wisconsin.

Pricing on this page reflects state averages from the EIA residential propane price survey. Individual supplier quotes vary by route density, contract terms, owned vs rented tank, and fill volume. Always confirm pricing in writing before delivery.

What a Wisconsin Propane Fill Actually Costs

All scenarios use the Wisconsin state-average rate of $2.52/gallon and the standard 80% safe-fill rule (propane tanks are filled to 80% of nominal capacity to leave room for thermal expansion).

Fill scenario	Usable gallons	Cost at $2.52/gal	Notes
100-gallon top-up	80 gal	$202	Cylinder or small tank refill; partial fill on a residential tank
250-gallon tank (200 usable)	200 gal	$504	Cooking + water heating + small space heating
500-gallon tank (400 usable)	400 gal	$1,008	Standard whole-home heating tank in Wisconsin
1,000-gallon tank (800 usable)	800 gal	$2,016	Large home, generator, or two-fill-per-year strategy

A typical Wisconsin propane-heat household using 1,200-1,500 gallons per year spends roughly $3,024 to $3,780 annually on propane at the current state-average rate. That breaks down to two to three 500-gallon fills, plus a possible top-up in deep winter.

Wisconsin Heating Season: What to Plan For

Wisconsin runs a roughly seven-month heating season, with the heaviest demand from late October through April. January is the peak demand month statewide. Households that heat exclusively with propane (typical in northern and rural central Wisconsin) burn through 1,200-1,500 gallons in a normal winter; larger or older homes can push 1,800-2,000 gallons. Mild winters drop usage by 15-20%; extended polar-vortex stretches push it 10-15% above baseline.

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)WHEAP covers propane along with natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, and wood. For the 2025-2026 program year, household income must be at or below 60% of Wisconsin State Median Income to qualify. The benefit is a one-time payment toward heating costs during the heating season, not full coverage. Apply at energybenefit.wi.gov or call 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947). Some counties also operate Crisis Assistance for households facing fuel shutoff.

Pre-buy strategy: May to AugustWisconsin propane prices typically dip 10-20 cents per gallon between May and August when residential heating demand collapses. A 1,200-gallon-per-year household saving 15 cents per gallon via summer pre-buy locks in $180 of savings before the heating season starts. Two formats exist: a fixed-price summer fill (you pay at delivery in July or August) and a pre-buy contract (you lock the gallons-and-price now and draw down through winter). Compare both against your supplier's projected winter cap price before signing.

Wisconsin vs Other Midwest States (April 2026)

Wisconsin sits just above the Midwest average and well below the national rate. The cheapest Midwest states (Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) sit near major fractionator terminals; the more expensive Midwest states (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio) carry higher delivery and route costs.

State / benchmark	Price/gal	500-gal fill (400 usable)	vs Wisconsin
IowaCheapest Midwest	$2.22	$888	-11.9%
Nebraska	$2.24	$896	-11.1%
Kansas	$2.28	$912	-9.5%
Missouri	$2.35	$940	-6.7%
South Dakota	$2.38	$952	-5.6%
North Dakota	$2.42	$968	-4.0%
Midwest averageRegional benchmark	$2.47	$988	-2.0%
Minnesota	$2.48	$992	-1.6%
WisconsinThis page	$2.52	$1,008	0%
Indiana	$2.58	$1,032	+2.4%
Ohio	$2.61	$1,044	+3.6%
Michigan	$2.65	$1,060	+5.2%
Illinois	$2.71	$1,084	+7.5%
National averageAll 50 states	$2.78	$1,112	+10.3%

See full state-by-state pricing for all 50 states.

Wisconsin Propane Price FAQ

Who is the cheapest propane supplier in Wisconsin?

There is no single cheapest supplier across all of Wisconsin because pricing depends on local route density, tank ownership, and contract terms. As a rule, regional and family-owned suppliers (Lakes Gas, Northwoods Propane, Hilgy's LP Gas, Northern Lakes Propane, Quality Propane & Fuels) often quote 10-25 cents per gallon below national chains (AmeriGas, Suburban Propane, Ferrellgas) for owned-tank customers. Always get three quotes for the same fill volume and ask whether the price is for an owned tank or rented; rented-tank pricing typically carries a 30-50 cent/gallon supplier markup.

Am I eligible for WHEAP propane assistance in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) covers propane along with natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, and wood. For the 2025-2026 program year (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026), households must earn at or below 60% of the Wisconsin State Median Income to qualify. WHEAP pays a one-time benefit toward heating costs during the heating season, not the full cost. Apply at energybenefit.wi.gov or call 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947).

Why is Wisconsin propane cheaper than the national average?

Three structural reasons. First, Wisconsin sits on a Midwest propane network fed by Canadian production from Sarnia and Edmonton, plus US Gulf Coast pipeline supply, which keeps wholesale costs low. Second, the rural-heavy customer base and dense regional supplier market (Lakes Gas alone runs 60+ Upper Midwest depots) creates competitive pricing pressure. Third, trucking distance from Iowa and Minnesota production fractionators is short. The result: Wisconsin's $2.52/gallon is roughly 9% below the $2.78 national average and 30% below Northeast states.

Should I pre-buy propane in summer in Wisconsin?

Yes, if you use 600+ gallons per year and own your tank. Wisconsin propane prices typically dip 10-20 cents/gallon between May and August when heating demand collapses. A 1,200-gallon-per-year household saving 15 cents/gallon via summer pre-buy locks in $180 of savings before the October-April heating season. Two formats: a fixed-price summer fill (you pay at delivery in July/August) or a pre-buy contract (you lock the gallons-and-price now, draw down through winter). Compare both against your supplier's projected winter cap price.

Propane vs natural gas in Wisconsin?

Natural gas (typically cheaper per BTU and piped in) covers most of the Madison and Milwaukee metro corridors plus larger cities along I-94 and US-41. Outside those corridors, especially in northern Wisconsin (Vilas, Oneida, Sawyer, Bayfield, Iron, Ashland counties) and most of the rural central state, natural gas service is unavailable, so propane is the dominant non-electric heating fuel. If you live in a metro area with a gas main on your street, natural gas is usually cheaper. If you're rural, propane competes against fuel oil and electric resistance/heat-pump systems, and at $2.52/gal it's competitive in cold-climate northern WI where heat pumps lose efficiency below 5F.

When is the best time of year to fill a propane tank in Wisconsin?

May through August. Demand drops to its annual low, suppliers compete on summer-fill promotions, and you avoid the December-February price peak when demand spikes. Avoid filling between mid-December and late February unless you've run dry; that's the worst-case window. If you're locked into a winter fill, ask about a budget-payment plan (level monthly billing) which spreads the heating-season cost over 12 months rather than four.