Can households afford energy in Minnesota?
42nd of 51. All Minnesota households: 2.3% ($2,379 of $104,811). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 14.2% on $10,664. Renters 1.9%, owners 2.3%.
Minnesota burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Minnesota: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 27% of homes (611,381 of 2,256,126).
Minnesota burden, % of income
- 14.2Under 30%
- 6.030% to 60%
- 4.060% to 80%
- 3.280% to 100%
- 1.6Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Minnesota down to 6% takes $871 off its $1,511 energy cost, or $14,519 more income.
Minnesota income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Minnesota homes | Share | Minnesota income | Electric | All energy | Minnesota burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 243,738 | 11% | $10,664 | $835 | $1,511 | 14.2% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 367,643 | 16% | $34,202 | $1,107 | $2,053 | 6.0% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 267,570 | 12% | $56,969 | $1,219 | $2,283 | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 254,471 | 11% | $77,795 | $1,331 | $2,483 | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,122,704 | 50% | $165,897 | $1,430 | $2,673 | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,256,126 | 100% | $104,811 | $1,277 | $2,379 | 2.3% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Minnesota
Renters pay $926 on $47,433 (1.9%); owners $2,935 on $126,768 (2.3%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 66% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 8.0%.
| Minnesota heating fuel | Homes | Share | Minnesota income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 417,117 | 18.5% | $73,452 | $1,434 | 1.9% |
| Utility gas | 1,480,477 | 65.6% | $117,584 | $2,229 | 1.9% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 244,196 | 10.8% | $99,178 | $4,480 | 4.5% |
| Fuel oil | 31,769 | 1.4% | $68,118 | $5,479 | 8.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 82,567 | 3.7% | $64,971 | $2,432 | 3.7% |
Your burden against Minnesota
Help and shutoff rules in Minnesota
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 130,023 homes, 21 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $125,349,065, $205 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Crisis, and Weatherization: 50% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines for househo.
Benefits listed: Heating: $200 minimum, $1,400 maximum Crisis: $600.
Programs named for Minnesota: Minnesota Energy Resources; Minnesota Power; Xcel Energy.
- Minnesota LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-657-3710
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Minnesota
- Minnesota help with your bill
Minnesota has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Minn. Stat. § 216B.096 (investor-owned) and § 216B.097 (municipal and co-op), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Minnesota utility.
Highest-burden Minnesota counties
87 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Renville County at 6.7%, lowest of the 87: Hennepin County at 1.5%.
| Minnesota county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renville County | 5,876 | $81,181 | $5,460 | 6.7% | 16.1% |
| Traverse County | 1,433 | $82,606 | $5,410 | 6.5% | 17.4% |
| Kittson County | 1,722 | $79,693 | $4,802 | 6.0% | 15.1% |
| Roseau County | 5,833 | $82,464 | $4,732 | 5.7% | 14.1% |
| Lake of the Woods County | 1,632 | $79,191 | $4,541 | 5.7% | 16.1% |
| Mahnomen County | 1,879 | $68,376 | $3,848 | 5.6% | 14.0% |
| Redwood County | 6,075 | $78,258 | $4,395 | 5.6% | 14.1% |
| Murray County | 3,532 | $87,247 | $4,824 | 5.5% | 15.6% |
Next to Minnesota in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Minnesota households spend on energy?
2.3% for all households ($2,379 of $104,811) and 7.4% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Minnesota?
Households under 30% of median income: 14.2%, 243,738 homes spending $1,511 on $10,664.
How many Minnesota homes get LIHEAP heating help?
130,023 in FY2024, 21 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Minnesota energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.2% of 2.3%; gas and other fuel are the rest.