In most cases it is far cheaper to heat with gas. It is more efficient and heats faster. I have propane that costs ~$1.50/gal and to heat my 1850 sq ft house with a full basement and only R30 insulation in my ceiling it averaged $300/month in the winter. I live in Michigan by the way. In contrast my old house was ~1320 sq ft no basement well insulated and even with 2 rooms sealed off and a 40% discount on electric heat it was $380-$450 to heat in the winter. Kilowatt hour rate is ~8 cents.
Cooking with gas is usually much better as well. Faster heating and more controlled heat. Gas water heaters are also faster to heat.
That said, if you have a small apartment and electric rates are not sky high then it might be pretty close to heat with either. Many small apartments use older less efficient gas furnaces so it may level the field a bit. Plus if you are in a complex or building you are getting ambient heat from your neighbors and may not have to heat it as much. Depends on the situation.
Personally if I owned an apartment I would probably furnish it with all electric appliances and let the tenants pay for electric. Cheaper for me since gas appliances are more expensive and one less thing to worry about.
Cooking with gas is usually much better as well. Faster heating and more controlled heat. Gas water heaters are also faster to heat.
Geothermal is very expensive up front and depending on what type of system you have it does not work well in some areas. Believe me, I would have loved to do geothermal, but it would have cost me $20,000 more than my propane forced air 90% efficiency furnace and central air.
That said, if you have a small apartment and electric rates are not sky high then it might be pretty close to heat with either. Many small apartments use older less efficient gas furnaces so it may level the field a bit. Plus if you are in a complex or building you are getting ambient heat from your neighbors and may not have to heat it as much. Depends on the situation.
Personally if I owned an apartment I would probably furnish it with all electric appliances and let the tenants pay for electric. Cheaper for me since gas appliances are more expensive and one less thing to worry about.
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