Can households afford energy in Maine?
2nd of 51. All Maine households: 4.0% ($3,338 of $84,451). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 25.0% on $8,705. Renters 3.6%, owners 4.0%.
Maine burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Maine: under 30%, 30% to 60%, 60% to 80%. Together 40% of homes (229,668 of 580,172).
Maine burden, % of income
- 25.0Under 30%
- 10.430% to 60%
- 7.060% to 80%
- 5.680% to 100%
- 2.8Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Maine down to 6% takes $1,651 off its $2,173 energy cost, or $27,512 more income.
Maine income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Maine homes | Share | Maine income | Electric | All energy | Maine burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 62,743 | 11% | $8,705 | $982 | $2,173 | 25.0% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 101,237 | 17% | $27,305 | $1,218 | $2,835 | 10.4% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 65,688 | 11% | $44,961 | $1,275 | $3,145 | 7.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 63,341 | 11% | $59,044 | $1,332 | $3,324 | 5.6% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 287,163 | 49% | $135,785 | $1,523 | $3,817 | 2.8% | 1.6% |
| All | 580,172 | 100% | $84,451 | $1,362 | $3,338 | 4.0% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Maine
Renters pay $1,311 on $36,659 (3.6%); owners $4,070 on $101,711 (4.0%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: fuel oil, 59% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 4.4%.
| Maine heating fuel | Homes | Share | Maine income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 51,995 | 9.0% | $56,372 | $1,585 | 2.8% |
| Utility gas | 46,564 | 8.0% | $81,188 | $1,547 | 1.9% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 71,755 | 12.4% | $97,055 | $3,410 | 3.5% |
| Fuel oil | 344,142 | 59.3% | $87,220 | $3,811 | 4.4% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 65,716 | 11.3% | $80,718 | $3,439 | 4.3% |
Your burden against Maine
Help and shutoff rules in Maine
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 43,599 homes, 27 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $42,697,525, $260 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Cooling & Crisis: 60% State Median Income (10+ Households at 150% Federal Poverty Line) Weatherization: 200% Fe.
Benefits listed: Heating: $88 minimum, $1,012 maximum Crisis: $500.
Programs named for Maine: Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP); Central Maine Power; Unitil; Versant Power.
- Maine LIHEAP office, phone 877-544-3271
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Maine
- Maine help with your bill
Maine has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: 65-407 CMR Chapter 815, Consumer Protection Standards for Electric and Gas T&D Utilities, Sections 10 (disconnection) and 11 (medical emergency), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Maine utility.
Highest-burden Maine counties
16 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Washington County at 5.7%, lowest of the 16: Cumberland County at 2.9%.
| Maine county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 13,585 | $65,354 | $3,707 | 5.7% | 16.0% |
| Piscataquis County | 7,654 | $66,140 | $3,676 | 5.6% | 14.7% |
| Aroostook County | 29,237 | $64,421 | $3,437 | 5.3% | 13.4% |
| Somerset County | 22,074 | $65,353 | $3,476 | 5.3% | 14.0% |
| Oxford County | 23,183 | $69,078 | $3,599 | 5.2% | 13.8% |
| Franklin County | 12,276 | $69,836 | $3,397 | 4.9% | 12.7% |
| Waldo County | 17,263 | $78,065 | $3,608 | 4.6% | 13.4% |
| Kennebec County | 53,452 | $75,858 | $3,439 | 4.5% | 12.7% |
Next to Maine in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Maine households spend on energy?
4.0% for all households ($3,338 of $84,451) and 12.8% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Maine?
Households under 30% of median income: 25.0%, 62,743 homes spending $2,173 on $8,705.
How many Maine homes get LIHEAP heating help?
43,599 in FY2024, 27 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Maine energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.6% of 4.0%; gas and other fuel are the rest.