Can households afford energy in Alaska?
6th of 51. All Alaska households: 3.2% ($3,243 of $102,298). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 25.4% on $10,099. Renters 2.8%, owners 3.3%.
Alaska burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Alaska: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 25% of homes (66,591 of 264,376).
Alaska burden, % of income
- 25.4Under 30%
- 8.330% to 60%
- 5.860% to 80%
- 4.780% to 100%
- 2.3Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Alaska down to 6% takes $1,960 off its $2,566 energy cost, or $32,668 more income.
Alaska income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Alaska homes | Share | Alaska income | Electric | All energy | Alaska burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 26,728 | 10% | $10,099 | $1,300 | $2,566 | 25.4% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 39,863 | 15% | $32,798 | $1,415 | $2,717 | 8.3% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 29,033 | 11% | $54,504 | $1,607 | $3,149 | 5.8% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 26,355 | 10% | $68,785 | $1,581 | $3,214 | 4.7% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 142,396 | 54% | $155,008 | $1,657 | $3,541 | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| All | 264,376 | 100% | $102,298 | $1,571 | $3,243 | 3.2% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Alaska
Renters pay $1,581 on $56,599 (2.8%); owners $4,088 on $125,559 (3.3%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 49% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.5%.
| Alaska heating fuel | Homes | Share | Alaska income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 36,048 | 13.6% | $66,368 | $1,373 | 2.1% |
| Utility gas | 130,569 | 49.4% | $121,873 | $2,671 | 2.2% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 5,896 | 2.2% | $72,838 | $2,057 | 2.8% |
| Fuel oil | 74,675 | 28.2% | $95,256 | $5,194 | 5.5% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 17,187 | 6.5% | $69,651 | $3,433 | 4.9% |
Your burden against Alaska
Help and shutoff rules in Alaska
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 5,150 homes, 8 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $12,158,576, $183 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating & Crisis: 150% Federal Poverty Level Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level.
Benefits listed: Heating: $350 minimum; $6,125 max Crisis: $6,125 maximum.
Programs named for Alaska: Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE); General Relief Assistance (GRA).
- Alaska LIHEAP office, phone 800-478-7778
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Alaska
- Alaska help with your bill
Cold-weather clause: no season or temperature ban found in the text read
Read: 3 AAC 52.450 (Disconnection of service) with 3 AAC 52.445 (Deferred payment agreements) and 3 AAC 52.400 (Application), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Alaska utility.
Highest-burden Alaska counties
20 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Kusilvak Census Area at 11.9%, lowest of the 20: Anchorage Municipality at 2.0%.
| Alaska county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kusilvak Census Area | 1,864 | $56,221 | $6,668 | 11.9% | 20.3% |
| Dillingham Census Area | 1,384 | $85,291 | $9,239 | 10.8% | 25.7% |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 2,078 | $61,165 | $6,179 | 10.1% | 24.2% |
| Copper River Census Area | 1,090 | $82,197 | $8,047 | 9.8% | 30.4% |
| Nome Census Area | 2,786 | $84,446 | $7,180 | 8.5% | 21.0% |
| Bethel Census Area | 4,565 | $80,396 | $6,589 | 8.2% | 21.8% |
| Chugach Census Area | 2,755 | $90,680 | $6,306 | 7.0% | 21.6% |
| North Slope Borough | 2,168 | $55,068 | $3,783 | 6.9% | 20.5% |
Next to Alaska in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Alaska households spend on energy?
3.2% for all households ($3,243 of $102,298) and 11.2% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Alaska?
Households under 30% of median income: 25.4%, 26,728 homes spending $2,566 on $10,099.
How many Alaska homes get LIHEAP heating help?
5,150 in FY2024, 8 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Alaska energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.5% of 3.2%; gas and other fuel are the rest.