Can households afford energy in New York?
33rd of 51. All New York households: 2.3% ($2,633 of $112,508). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 15.2% on $10,260. Renters 1.8%, owners 2.6%.
New York burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in New York: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 30% of homes (2,308,507 of 7,604,522).
New York burden, % of income
- 15.2Under 30%
- 6.430% to 60%
- 4.660% to 80%
- 3.880% to 100%
- 1.7Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in New York down to 6% takes $948 off its $1,564 energy cost, or $15,807 more income.
New York income, cost and burden
| Bracket | New York homes | Share | New York income | Electric | All energy | New York burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 1,111,546 | 15% | $10,260 | $914 | $1,564 | 15.2% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 1,196,961 | 16% | $32,158 | $1,106 | $2,071 | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 725,446 | 10% | $52,951 | $1,247 | $2,414 | 4.6% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 678,299 | 9% | $68,485 | $1,319 | $2,611 | 3.8% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 3,892,270 | 51% | $185,189 | $1,579 | $3,155 | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| All | 7,604,522 | 100% | $112,508 | $1,353 | $2,633 | 2.3% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in New York
Renters pay $1,328 on $73,593 (1.8%); owners $3,731 on $145,280 (2.6%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 59% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.0%.
| New York heating fuel | Homes | Share | New York income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1,034,878 | 13.6% | $98,101 | $1,397 | 1.4% |
| Utility gas | 4,519,736 | 59.4% | $116,490 | $2,644 | 2.3% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 352,659 | 4.6% | $98,048 | $2,848 | 2.9% |
| Fuel oil | 1,361,805 | 17.9% | $121,454 | $3,682 | 3.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 335,444 | 4.4% | $82,187 | $1,802 | 2.2% |
Your burden against New York
Help and shutoff rules in New York
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 1,145,065 homes, 50 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $401,241,711, $174 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income 150% Federal Poverty Level for household size 14 or more.
Benefits listed: Heating: $21 minimum, $996 maximum Cooling: $10 minimum, $1,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $900 maximum.
- New York LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-342-3009
- Clearinghouse snapshot, New York
- New York help with your bill
New York has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: 16 NYCRR § 11.5, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your New York utility.
Highest-burden New York counties
62 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Delaware County at 4.3%, lowest of the 62: New York County at 0.8%.
| New York county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County | 18,780 | $71,707 | $3,073 | 4.3% | 11.7% |
| Franklin County | 18,933 | $72,023 | $3,084 | 4.3% | 10.9% |
| Lewis County | 10,672 | $75,239 | $3,195 | 4.2% | 11.3% |
| Allegany County | 16,813 | $72,470 | $3,000 | 4.1% | 10.7% |
| Fulton County | 22,103 | $70,265 | $2,885 | 4.1% | 10.1% |
| Chenango County | 19,886 | $72,550 | $2,972 | 4.1% | 10.4% |
| Hamilton County | 1,725 | $85,050 | $3,481 | 4.1% | 11.8% |
| Montgomery County | 18,918 | $71,298 | $2,870 | 4.0% | 10.5% |
Next to New York in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do New York households spend on energy?
2.3% for all households ($2,633 of $112,508) and 8.5% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in New York?
Households under 30% of median income: 15.2%, 1,111,546 homes spending $1,564 on $10,260.
How many New York homes get LIHEAP heating help?
1,145,065 in FY2024, 50 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole New York energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.2% of 2.3%; gas and other fuel are the rest.