Can households afford energy in New Jersey?
50th of 51. All New Jersey households: 1.7% ($2,189 of $127,681). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 10.4% on $13,183. Renters 1.6%, owners 1.7%.
New Jersey burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in New Jersey: under 30%. Together 14% of homes (467,926 of 3,438,162).
New Jersey burden, % of income
- 10.4Under 30%
- 4.530% to 60%
- 3.160% to 80%
- 2.180% to 100%
- 1.2Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in New Jersey down to 6% takes $582 off its $1,373 energy cost, or $9,700 more income.
New Jersey income, cost and burden
| Bracket | New Jersey homes | Share | New Jersey income | Electric | All energy | New Jersey burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 467,926 | 14% | $13,183 | $836 | $1,373 | 10.4% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 567,707 | 17% | $40,674 | $1,032 | $1,811 | 4.5% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 360,298 | 10% | $65,675 | $1,130 | $2,041 | 3.1% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 370,370 | 11% | $106,213 | $1,257 | $2,289 | 2.1% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,671,861 | 49% | $207,391 | $1,404 | $2,555 | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| All | 3,438,162 | 100% | $127,681 | $1,221 | $2,189 | 1.7% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in New Jersey
Renters pay $1,085 on $66,854 (1.6%); owners $2,813 on $162,095 (1.7%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 74% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.5%.
| New Jersey heating fuel | Homes | Share | New Jersey income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 510,776 | 14.9% | $90,205 | $1,210 | 1.3% |
| Utility gas | 2,538,636 | 73.8% | $138,568 | $2,236 | 1.6% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 82,521 | 2.4% | $102,327 | $2,017 | 2.0% |
| Fuel oil | 246,029 | 7.2% | $115,299 | $3,991 | 3.5% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 60,199 | 1.8% | $71,895 | $1,364 | 1.9% |
Your burden against New Jersey
Help and shutoff rules in New Jersey
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 237,983 homes, 23 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $134,638,747, $130 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $118 minimum, $1,278 maximum Cooling: $118 minimum, $1,278 maximum Winter Crisis: $800 maximum Weatherization: .
Programs named for New Jersey: Lifeline Assistance Program; Universal Service Fund; New Jersey Shares.
- New Jersey LIHEAP office, phone 800-510-3102
- Clearinghouse snapshot, New Jersey
- New Jersey help with your bill
New Jersey has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: N.J. Admin. Code 14:3-3A.1 to 14:3-3A.5 (read 3A.1-3A.7), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your New Jersey utility.
Highest-burden New Jersey counties
21 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Cumberland County at 3.6%, lowest of the 21: Hudson County at 1.0%.
| New Jersey county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 52,584 | $79,280 | $2,829 | 3.6% | 9.2% |
| Salem County | 24,744 | $89,516 | $2,940 | 3.3% | 9.2% |
| Atlantic County | 106,640 | $94,450 | $2,716 | 2.9% | 7.7% |
| Sussex County | 56,348 | $135,046 | $3,448 | 2.5% | 8.4% |
| Warren County | 44,370 | $106,638 | $2,717 | 2.5% | 6.9% |
| Ocean County | 239,466 | $105,040 | $2,618 | 2.5% | 7.0% |
| Gloucester County | 109,996 | $119,440 | $2,896 | 2.4% | 7.9% |
| Cape May County | 43,277 | $107,230 | $2,571 | 2.4% | 8.0% |
Next to New Jersey in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do New Jersey households spend on energy?
1.7% for all households ($2,189 of $127,681) and 5.7% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in New Jersey?
Households under 30% of median income: 10.4%, 467,926 homes spending $1,373 on $13,183.
How many New Jersey homes get LIHEAP heating help?
237,983 in FY2024, 23 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole New Jersey energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.0% of 1.7%; gas and other fuel are the rest.