Can households afford energy in Connecticut?
13th of 51. All Connecticut households: 2.9% ($3,578 of $121,943). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 18.9% on $11,199. Renters 3.4%, owners 2.9%.
Connecticut burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Connecticut: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 30% of homes (425,028 of 1,409,807).
Connecticut burden, % of income
- 18.9Under 30%
- 7.930% to 60%
- 5.360% to 80%
- 4.080% to 100%
- 2.1Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Connecticut down to 6% takes $1,450 off its $2,122 energy cost, or $24,168 more income.
Connecticut income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Connecticut homes | Share | Connecticut income | Electric | All energy | Connecticut burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 189,720 | 13% | $11,199 | $1,214 | $2,122 | 18.9% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 235,308 | 17% | $35,640 | $1,491 | $2,808 | 7.9% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 149,789 | 11% | $58,908 | $1,645 | $3,154 | 5.3% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 140,533 | 10% | $88,368 | $1,828 | $3,537 | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 694,456 | 49% | $201,831 | $2,164 | $4,336 | 2.1% | 1.6% |
| All | 1,409,807 | 100% | $121,943 | $1,835 | $3,578 | 2.9% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Connecticut
Renters pay $1,816 on $53,198 (3.4%); owners $4,479 on $157,121 (2.9%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: fuel oil, 38% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.2%.
| Connecticut heating fuel | Homes | Share | Connecticut income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 243,742 | 17.3% | $69,713 | $1,927 | 2.8% |
| Utility gas | 515,458 | 36.6% | $112,893 | $2,987 | 2.6% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 73,780 | 5.2% | $148,915 | $4,597 | 3.1% |
| Fuel oil | 534,493 | 37.9% | $151,871 | $4,801 | 3.2% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 42,334 | 3.0% | $107,994 | $3,053 | 2.8% |
Your burden against Connecticut
Help and shutoff rules in Connecticut
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 102,166 homes, 24 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $90,222,435, $212 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Crisis, & Weatherization: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $75 minimum; $645 maximum Crisis: $425 maximum Weatherization: $15,000 maximum.
Programs named for Connecticut: Eversource; Connecticut Natural Gas.
- Connecticut LIHEAP office, phone 1-855-626-6632
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Connecticut
- Connecticut help with your bill
Connecticut has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100 (Termination of utility service), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Connecticut utility.
Highest-burden Connecticut counties
9 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region at 4.0%, lowest of the 9: Western Connecticut Planning Region at 2.4%.
| Connecticut county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 38,574 | $95,258 | $3,806 | 4.0% | 10.8% |
| Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 177,656 | $101,131 | $3,677 | 3.6% | 11.1% |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region | 45,976 | $114,122 | $4,148 | 3.6% | 11.7% |
| Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 113,810 | $98,946 | $3,309 | 3.3% | 10.0% |
| Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 73,084 | $121,149 | $3,844 | 3.2% | 10.3% |
| Capitol Planning Region | 386,549 | $111,861 | $3,345 | 3.0% | 10.0% |
| South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 226,154 | $107,683 | $3,081 | 2.9% | 9.1% |
| Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 117,497 | $125,529 | $3,363 | 2.7% | 9.6% |
Next to Connecticut in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Connecticut households spend on energy?
2.9% for all households ($3,578 of $121,943) and 10.1% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Connecticut?
Households under 30% of median income: 18.9%, 189,720 homes spending $2,122 on $11,199.
How many Connecticut homes get LIHEAP heating help?
102,166 in FY2024, 24 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Connecticut energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.5% of 2.9%; gas and other fuel are the rest.