Can households afford energy in Idaho?
38th of 51. All Idaho households: 2.2% ($1,924 of $86,883). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 18.1% on $7,728. Renters 2.4%, owners 2.2%.
Idaho burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Idaho: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 22% of homes (146,306 of 675,323).
Idaho burden, % of income
- 18.1Under 30%
- 6.530% to 60%
- 4.260% to 80%
- 3.580% to 100%
- 1.7Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Idaho down to 6% takes $936 off its $1,400 energy cost, or $15,605 more income.
Idaho income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Idaho homes | Share | Idaho income | Electric | All energy | Idaho burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 49,128 | 7% | $7,728 | $901 | $1,400 | 18.1% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 97,178 | 14% | $24,718 | $970 | $1,594 | 6.5% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 71,505 | 11% | $41,155 | $1,053 | $1,722 | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 69,697 | 10% | $53,680 | $1,103 | $1,855 | 3.5% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 387,815 | 57% | $126,886 | $1,238 | $2,123 | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| All | 675,323 | 100% | $86,883 | $1,142 | $1,924 | 2.2% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Idaho
Renters pay $1,058 on $44,471 (2.4%); owners $2,261 on $103,371 (2.2%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 51% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 6.9%.
| Idaho heating fuel | Homes | Share | Idaho income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 233,515 | 34.6% | $70,046 | $1,580 | 2.3% |
| Utility gas | 346,931 | 51.4% | $100,538 | $1,651 | 1.6% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 35,376 | 5.2% | $85,906 | $4,729 | 5.5% |
| Fuel oil | 9,796 | 1.5% | $65,455 | $4,505 | 6.9% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 49,704 | 7.4% | $75,594 | $2,946 | 3.9% |
Your burden against Idaho
Help and shutoff rules in Idaho
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 29,251 homes, 20 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $23,183,784, $158 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Crisis: 60% State Median Income; (8+ household members at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Fede.
Benefits listed: Heating: $122 minimum, $1,285 maximum Crisis: $1,500 maximum.
- LIHEAP phone 800-926-2588
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Idaho
- Idaho help with your bill
Idaho has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: IDAPA 31.21.01.304, .306, .308, .313 (Customer Relations Rules for Electric, Gas and Water Utilities, Idaho PUC), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Idaho utility.
Highest-burden Idaho counties
42 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Butte County at 6.2%, lowest of the 42: Ada County at 1.5%.
| Idaho county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte County | 1,024 | $57,523 | $3,559 | 6.2% | 14.6% |
| Oneida County | 1,841 | $70,562 | $3,616 | 5.1% | 20.3% |
| Benewah County | 3,826 | $66,234 | $3,302 | 5.0% | 14.8% |
| Lemhi County | 3,328 | $64,319 | $3,086 | 4.8% | 14.7% |
| Lewis County | 1,566 | $59,112 | $2,798 | 4.7% | 11.3% |
| Clearwater County | 3,511 | $66,075 | $2,936 | 4.4% | 12.2% |
| Idaho County | 6,603 | $66,929 | $2,894 | 4.3% | 11.0% |
| Boundary County | 4,710 | $69,880 | $2,920 | 4.2% | 15.4% |
Next to Idaho in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Idaho households spend on energy?
2.2% for all households ($1,924 of $86,883) and 8.0% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Idaho?
Households under 30% of median income: 18.1%, 49,128 homes spending $1,400 on $7,728.
How many Idaho homes get LIHEAP heating help?
29,251 in FY2024, 20 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Idaho energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.3% of 2.2%; gas and other fuel are the rest.