Can households afford energy in Maryland?
44th of 51. All Maryland households: 1.9% ($2,310 of $122,432). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 13.7% on $11,953. Renters 2.0%, owners 1.9%.
Maryland burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Maryland: under 30%. Together 12% of homes (275,286 of 2,277,743).
Maryland burden, % of income
- 13.7Under 30%
- 5.130% to 60%
- 3.360% to 80%
- 2.580% to 100%
- 1.4Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Maryland down to 6% takes $919 off its $1,636 energy cost, or $15,314 more income.
Maryland income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Maryland homes | Share | Maryland income | Electric | All energy | Maryland burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 275,286 | 12% | $11,953 | $1,117 | $1,636 | 13.7% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 347,079 | 15% | $39,076 | $1,296 | $1,980 | 5.1% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 240,519 | 11% | $64,341 | $1,403 | $2,147 | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 238,704 | 10% | $93,391 | $1,502 | $2,299 | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,176,155 | 52% | $190,662 | $1,662 | $2,600 | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,277,743 | 100% | $122,432 | $1,496 | $2,310 | 1.9% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Maryland
Renters pay $1,314 on $64,054 (2.0%); owners $2,802 on $151,323 (1.9%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 43% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.4%.
| Maryland heating fuel | Homes | Share | Maryland income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 983,177 | 43.2% | $112,409 | $1,837 | 1.6% |
| Utility gas | 985,997 | 43.3% | $133,518 | $2,412 | 1.8% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 83,486 | 3.7% | $137,014 | $3,455 | 2.5% |
| Fuel oil | 166,750 | 7.3% | $118,399 | $4,052 | 3.4% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 58,334 | 2.6% | $94,626 | $1,917 | 2.0% |
Your burden against Maryland
Help and shutoff rules in Maryland
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 94,205 homes, 15 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $84,754,189, $136 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Crisis, Weatherization: 1 person household = 39% SMI 2 person household = 40% SMI 3 person household = 41% SMI .
Benefits listed: Heating: $25 minimum, $1,100 maximum Crisis: $600.
Programs named for Maryland: Residential Essential Service (RES).
- Maryland LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-332-6347
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Maryland
- Maryland help with your bill
Maryland has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: COMAR 20.31.03.04 (with definition in COMAR 20.31.01.02B(9)), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Maryland utility.
Highest-burden Maryland counties
23 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Somerset County at 3.9%, lowest of the 23: Howard County at 1.4%.
| Maryland county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | 8,355 | $67,940 | $2,677 | 3.9% | 9.4% |
| Caroline County | 12,013 | $88,265 | $3,143 | 3.6% | 9.1% |
| Dorchester County | 13,216 | $80,124 | $2,730 | 3.4% | 8.8% |
| Allegany County | 27,462 | $67,877 | $2,162 | 3.2% | 7.6% |
| Kent County | 8,375 | $101,228 | $3,123 | 3.1% | 9.1% |
| Cecil County | 39,338 | $96,388 | $2,825 | 2.9% | 8.5% |
| Wicomico County | 39,939 | $86,058 | $2,411 | 2.8% | 7.3% |
| Garrett County | 12,448 | $89,948 | $2,419 | 2.7% | 7.6% |
Next to Maryland in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Maryland households spend on energy?
1.9% for all households ($2,310 of $122,432) and 6.8% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Maryland?
Households under 30% of median income: 13.7%, 275,286 homes spending $1,636 on $11,953.
How many Maryland homes get LIHEAP heating help?
94,205 in FY2024, 15 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Maryland energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.2% of 1.9%; gas and other fuel are the rest.