Can households afford energy in Massachusetts?
31st of 51. All Massachusetts households: 2.5% ($3,214 of $126,313). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 14.8% on $12,313. Renters 2.4%, owners 2.6%.
Massachusetts burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Massachusetts: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 31% of homes (843,270 of 2,740,995).
Massachusetts burden, % of income
- 14.8Under 30%
- 6.730% to 60%
- 4.860% to 80%
- 3.380% to 100%
- 1.8Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Massachusetts down to 6% takes $1,080 off its $1,819 energy cost, or $18,004 more income.
Massachusetts income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Massachusetts homes | Share | Massachusetts income | Electric | All energy | Massachusetts burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 405,679 | 15% | $12,313 | $988 | $1,819 | 14.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 437,591 | 16% | $39,240 | $1,300 | $2,637 | 6.7% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 280,723 | 10% | $64,515 | $1,529 | $3,098 | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 296,116 | 11% | $105,969 | $1,711 | $3,464 | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,320,886 | 48% | $207,865 | $1,872 | $3,803 | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,740,995 | 100% | $126,313 | $1,597 | $3,214 | 2.5% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Massachusetts
Renters pay $1,613 on $66,625 (2.4%); owners $4,177 on $162,225 (2.6%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 52% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.4%.
| Massachusetts heating fuel | Homes | Share | Massachusetts income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 472,640 | 17.2% | $78,143 | $1,526 | 1.9% |
| Utility gas | 1,425,666 | 52.0% | $136,927 | $3,028 | 2.2% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 114,311 | 4.2% | $130,959 | $3,732 | 2.9% |
| Fuel oil | 652,269 | 23.8% | $140,976 | $4,797 | 3.4% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 76,109 | 2.8% | $93,976 | $2,834 | 3.0% |
Your burden against Massachusetts
Help and shutoff rules in Massachusetts
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 150,047 homes, 18 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $163,276,528, $194 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Crisis, & Weatherization: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $200 minimum, $600 maximum Crisis: Winter $600 Weatherization: $18,500 maximum.
Programs named for Massachusetts: Discount Rate; New Start; National Grid.
- Massachusetts LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-632-8175
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts help with your bill
Massachusetts has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: 220 CMR 25.03, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Massachusetts utility.
Highest-burden Massachusetts counties
14 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Franklin County at 4.2%, lowest of the 14: Suffolk County at 1.9%.
| Massachusetts county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 31,234 | $85,542 | $3,549 | 4.2% | 9.7% |
| Berkshire County | 56,078 | $93,833 | $3,551 | 3.8% | 10.2% |
| Hampden County | 183,380 | $83,494 | $2,971 | 3.6% | 8.5% |
| Worcester County | 330,319 | $108,797 | $3,555 | 3.3% | 9.5% |
| Hampshire County | 61,414 | $101,857 | $3,306 | 3.2% | 9.1% |
| Dukes County | 6,899 | $132,334 | $4,190 | 3.2% | 9.7% |
| Plymouth County | 198,937 | $132,133 | $3,919 | 3.0% | 9.3% |
| Bristol County | 229,861 | $98,050 | $2,868 | 2.9% | 7.6% |
Next to Massachusetts in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Massachusetts households spend on energy?
2.5% for all households ($3,214 of $126,313) and 8.5% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Massachusetts?
Households under 30% of median income: 14.8%, 405,679 homes spending $1,819 on $12,313.
How many Massachusetts homes get LIHEAP heating help?
150,047 in FY2024, 18 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Massachusetts energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.3% of 2.5%; gas and other fuel are the rest.