AC running cost in New Mexico
A typical 2,000 sq ft New Mexico home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 1,136 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $171, peaking in Jul at about $54.
At a glance
New Mexico ranks 28th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (15.08¢/kWh) is 17% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 31st highest. Its climate brings 1,004 cooling degree days a year (20th most), so cooling demand is 9% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 31% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $171 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 15.08¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 16.09¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,004 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $38 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | 3,063 | $535 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | 2,809 | $510 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | 1,920 | $295 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | 1,004 | $171 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | 538 | $80 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | 329 | $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 | 8 | 9 | $1 |
| May | 66 | 74 | $11 |
| Jun | 238 | 269 | $41 |
| Jul ★ | 316 | 357 | $54 |
| Aug | 260 | 295 | $44 |
| Sep | 109 | 124 | $19 |
| Oct | 7 | 8 | $1 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Dec | 0 | 0 | $0 |
★ peak month.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $111 | $103 | $90 | $80 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $148 | $137 | $120 | $107 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $184 | $171 | $150 | $133 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $231 | $214 | $187 | $167 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $277 | $257 | $225 | $200 |
Average insulation; 15.08¢/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.