Can households afford energy in Michigan?
21st of 51. All Michigan households: 2.7% ($2,396 of $88,648). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 19.8% on $9,186. Renters 3.2%, owners 2.6%.
Michigan burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Michigan: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 28% of homes (1,136,282 of 4,009,253).
Michigan burden, % of income
- 19.8Under 30%
- 7.230% to 60%
- 5.060% to 80%
- 3.980% to 100%
- 1.8Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Michigan down to 6% takes $1,270 off its $1,821 energy cost, or $21,164 more income.
Michigan income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Michigan homes | Share | Michigan income | Electric | All energy | Michigan burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 472,003 | 12% | $9,186 | $1,081 | $1,821 | 19.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 664,279 | 17% | $29,664 | $1,183 | $2,138 | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 456,922 | 11% | $47,174 | $1,274 | $2,342 | 5.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 431,019 | 11% | $61,018 | $1,286 | $2,395 | 3.9% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,985,030 | 50% | $142,828 | $1,432 | $2,632 | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| All | 4,009,253 | 100% | $88,648 | $1,316 | $2,396 | 2.7% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Michigan
Renters pay $1,384 on $43,678 (3.2%); owners $2,781 on $105,711 (2.6%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 76% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.0%.
| Michigan heating fuel | Homes | Share | Michigan income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 444,832 | 11.1% | $63,742 | $1,499 | 2.4% |
| Utility gas | 3,029,047 | 75.6% | $94,204 | $2,362 | 2.5% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 342,059 | 8.5% | $83,063 | $3,745 | 4.5% |
| Fuel oil | 37,290 | 0.9% | $67,979 | $3,378 | 5.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 156,025 | 3.9% | $68,975 | $2,428 | 3.5% |
Your burden against Michigan
Help and shutoff rules in Michigan
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 434,124 homes, 38 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $183,316,283, $161 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating: 110% Federal Poverty Guidelines Crisis: 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines Weatherization: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $1 minimum, $2,205 maximum Crisis: $900 Winter maximum.
- Michigan LIHEAP office, phone Click here
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Michigan
- Michigan help with your bill
Cold-weather clause: Rule 38(1)(b): shutoff prohibited during the heating season when the customer is an eligible senior citizen. Definition of 'heating season' and of 'eligible senior citizen' not read; no temperature-based ban found in the text read.
Read: Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.138, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Michigan utility.
Highest-burden Michigan counties
83 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Lake County at 5.5%, lowest of the 83: Ottawa County at 1.8%.
| Michigan county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 4,549 | $57,004 | $3,127 | 5.5% | 13.7% |
| Oscoda County | 3,500 | $57,975 | $2,898 | 5.0% | 11.8% |
| Clare County | 11,935 | $60,143 | $2,856 | 4.8% | 11.5% |
| Ontonagon County | 2,872 | $60,933 | $2,886 | 4.7% | 12.3% |
| Osceola County | 8,877 | $66,856 | $3,091 | 4.6% | 11.9% |
| Alcona County | 4,832 | $62,751 | $2,879 | 4.6% | 13.2% |
| Ogemaw County | 9,089 | $61,476 | $2,799 | 4.5% | 11.5% |
| Oceana County | 9,936 | $70,876 | $3,220 | 4.5% | 11.9% |
Next to Michigan in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Michigan households spend on energy?
2.7% for all households ($2,396 of $88,648) and 9.5% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Michigan?
Households under 30% of median income: 19.8%, 472,003 homes spending $1,821 on $9,186.
How many Michigan homes get LIHEAP heating help?
434,124 in FY2024, 38 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Michigan energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.5% of 2.7%; gas and other fuel are the rest.