Can households afford energy in Montana?
11th of 51. All Montana households: 2.8% ($2,339 of $82,932). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 21.6% on $7,975. Renters 2.7%, owners 2.9%.
Montana burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Montana: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 26% of homes (116,676 of 443,917).
Montana burden, % of income
- 21.6Under 30%
- 8.130% to 60%
- 5.360% to 80%
- 4.180% to 100%
- 2.0Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Montana down to 6% takes $1,240 off its $1,719 energy cost, or $20,675 more income.
Montana income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Montana homes | Share | Montana income | Electric | All energy | Montana burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 44,250 | 10% | $7,975 | $880 | $1,719 | 21.6% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 72,426 | 16% | $25,497 | $1,012 | $2,074 | 8.1% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 48,515 | 11% | $40,653 | $1,093 | $2,161 | 5.3% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 48,662 | 11% | $55,701 | $1,159 | $2,281 | 4.1% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 230,063 | 52% | $130,105 | $1,294 | $2,593 | 2.0% | 1.6% |
| All | 443,917 | 100% | $82,932 | $1,170 | $2,339 | 2.8% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Montana
Renters pay $1,187 on $44,102 (2.7%); owners $2,856 on $100,353 (2.9%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 52% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 8.5%.
| Montana heating fuel | Homes | Share | Montana income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 114,251 | 25.7% | $65,486 | $1,457 | 2.2% |
| Utility gas | 229,914 | 51.8% | $92,168 | $1,898 | 2.1% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 58,016 | 13.1% | $90,438 | $4,923 | 5.4% |
| Fuel oil | 3,191 | 0.7% | $57,988 | $4,919 | 8.5% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 38,545 | 8.7% | $70,317 | $3,487 | 5.0% |
Your burden against Montana
Help and shutoff rules in Montana
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 14,675 homes, 13 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $23,583,999, $202 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level.
Benefits listed: Heating: $180 minimum, $3,228 maximum Crisis: $9,999 maximum.
Programs named for Montana: Northwestern Energy Discount; 50% Basic Charge Waiver; Senior Income Eligible Discount.
- Montana LIHEAP office, phone 406-444-1788
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Montana
- Montana help with your bill
Montana has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1401-38.5.1418 (Subchapter 38.5.14, Termination of Gas and Electric Service); read 1401-1415, 1418, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Montana utility.
Highest-burden Montana counties
42 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Musselshell County at 7.2%, lowest of the 42: Gallatin County at 1.9%.
| Montana county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musselshell County | 2,137 | $62,763 | $4,493 | 7.2% | 20.3% |
| Sheridan County | 1,439 | $80,180 | $5,652 | 7.0% | 24.6% |
| Sanders County | 5,425 | $60,005 | $3,398 | 5.7% | 17.0% |
| Big Horn County | 3,622 | $58,659 | $3,276 | 5.6% | 16.2% |
| Rosebud County | 3,043 | $65,686 | $3,640 | 5.5% | 20.6% |
| Chouteau County | 2,184 | $69,195 | $3,787 | 5.5% | 17.4% |
| Glacier County | 4,175 | $55,146 | $2,888 | 5.2% | 13.8% |
| Lincoln County | 8,882 | $56,119 | $2,806 | 5.0% | 14.0% |
Next to Montana in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Montana households spend on energy?
2.8% for all households ($2,339 of $82,932) and 10.3% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Montana?
Households under 30% of median income: 21.6%, 44,250 homes spending $1,719 on $7,975.
How many Montana homes get LIHEAP heating help?
14,675 in FY2024, 13 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Montana energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.4% of 2.8%; gas and other fuel are the rest.