Can households afford energy in Missouri?
19th of 51. All Missouri households: 2.6% ($2,244 of $85,369). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 20.6% on $8,839. Renters 3.5%, owners 2.5%.
Missouri burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Missouri: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 27% of homes (672,279 of 2,458,324).
Missouri burden, % of income
- 20.6Under 30%
- 7.430% to 60%
- 4.960% to 80%
- 3.880% to 100%
- 1.8Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Missouri down to 6% takes $1,294 off its $1,824 energy cost, or $21,561 more income.
Missouri income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Missouri homes | Share | Missouri income | Electric | All energy | Missouri burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 269,315 | 11% | $8,839 | $1,203 | $1,824 | 20.6% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 402,964 | 16% | $27,376 | $1,324 | $2,029 | 7.4% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 277,576 | 11% | $43,401 | $1,390 | $2,142 | 4.9% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 259,471 | 11% | $58,850 | $1,430 | $2,215 | 3.8% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,248,998 | 51% | $135,416 | $1,559 | $2,433 | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,458,324 | 100% | $85,369 | $1,449 | $2,244 | 2.6% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Missouri
Renters pay $1,544 on $44,233 (3.5%); owners $2,580 on $105,083 (2.5%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 50% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.0%.
| Missouri heating fuel | Homes | Share | Missouri income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 927,523 | 37.7% | $73,259 | $1,797 | 2.5% |
| Utility gas | 1,229,146 | 50.0% | $96,974 | $2,382 | 2.5% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 209,041 | 8.5% | $80,014 | $3,438 | 4.3% |
| Fuel oil | 4,408 | 0.2% | $49,762 | $2,471 | 5.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 88,207 | 3.6% | $65,455 | $2,181 | 3.3% |
Your burden against Missouri
Help and shutoff rules in Missouri
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 114,219 homes, 17 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $92,429,331, $137 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating and Crisis: 60% SMI Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Benefits listed: Heating: $153 minimum, $495 maximum Winter Crisis: $800 maximum Summer Crisis: $300 maximum.
Programs named for Missouri: Ameren Missouri; Liberty Utilities Empire District Electric Company; Independence Power & Light Department.
Missouri has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20, 4240-13.010, 13.050, 13.055, 13.070 (Chapter 13, residential service and billing practices), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Missouri utility.
Highest-burden Missouri counties
113 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Sullivan County at 6.5%, lowest of the 113: St. Charles County at 1.8%.
| Missouri county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan County | 1,991 | $60,129 | $3,927 | 6.5% | 17.6% |
| Hickory County | 3,504 | $41,565 | $2,580 | 6.2% | 13.5% |
| Barton County | 4,477 | $60,847 | $3,597 | 5.9% | 15.6% |
| Douglas County | 4,616 | $57,561 | $3,275 | 5.7% | 16.1% |
| Wright County | 6,825 | $52,718 | $2,999 | 5.7% | 12.8% |
| Schuyler County | 1,264 | $62,843 | $3,568 | 5.7% | 13.4% |
| Oregon County | 3,383 | $50,180 | $2,733 | 5.5% | 12.9% |
| Ozark County | 3,654 | $51,678 | $2,743 | 5.3% | 13.6% |
Next to Missouri in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Missouri households spend on energy?
2.6% for all households ($2,244 of $85,369) and 9.8% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Missouri?
Households under 30% of median income: 20.6%, 269,315 homes spending $1,824 on $8,839.
How many Missouri homes get LIHEAP heating help?
114,219 in FY2024, 17 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Missouri energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.7% of 2.6%; gas and other fuel are the rest.