Can households afford energy in Ohio?
23rd of 51. All Ohio households: 2.6% ($2,274 of $86,015). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 18.8% on $8,774. Renters 3.4%, owners 2.5%.
Ohio burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Ohio: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 28% of homes (1,332,873 of 4,789,408).
Ohio burden, % of income
- 18.8Under 30%
- 7.230% to 60%
- 4.960% to 80%
- 3.880% to 100%
- 1.9Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Ohio down to 6% takes $1,121 off its $1,647 energy cost, or $18,676 more income.
Ohio income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Ohio homes | Share | Ohio income | Electric | All energy | Ohio burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 558,294 | 12% | $8,774 | $977 | $1,647 | 18.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 774,579 | 16% | $27,618 | $1,152 | $1,975 | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 525,406 | 11% | $43,912 | $1,266 | $2,166 | 4.9% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 502,427 | 10% | $59,269 | $1,328 | $2,258 | 3.8% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 2,428,701 | 51% | $137,037 | $1,514 | $2,541 | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| All | 4,789,408 | 100% | $86,015 | $1,346 | $2,274 | 2.6% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Ohio
Renters pay $1,463 on $43,535 (3.4%); owners $2,677 on $107,108 (2.5%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 65% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.3%.
| Ohio heating fuel | Homes | Share | Ohio income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1,199,944 | 25.1% | $71,046 | $1,705 | 2.4% |
| Utility gas | 3,097,008 | 64.7% | $93,004 | $2,349 | 2.5% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 264,685 | 5.5% | $85,595 | $3,509 | 4.1% |
| Fuel oil | 90,262 | 1.9% | $71,773 | $3,773 | 5.3% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 137,508 | 2.9% | $69,403 | $2,195 | 3.2% |
Your burden against Ohio
Help and shutoff rules in Ohio
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 254,217 homes, 19 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $181,249,518, $136 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating and Crisis: 175% Federal Poverty Guidelines; (9+ household members at 60% State Median Income) Weatherization: 2.
Benefits listed: Heating: $24 minimum, $441 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,200 Summer Crisis: $800 Weatherization: $8,547.
Programs named for Ohio: PIPP Plus; Winter Reconnect Program.
- Ohio LIHEAP office, phone 614-466-6282
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Ohio
- Ohio help with your bill
Ohio has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Ohio Adm. Code 4901:1-18-06, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Ohio utility.
Highest-burden Ohio counties
88 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Williams County at 5.2%, lowest of the 88: Warren County at 1.7%.
| Ohio county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams County | 15,381 | $69,256 | $3,588 | 5.2% | 12.7% |
| Jackson County | 12,453 | $67,191 | $3,440 | 5.1% | 14.4% |
| Wyandot County | 8,982 | $75,852 | $3,443 | 4.5% | 13.0% |
| Morgan County | 5,657 | $59,161 | $2,662 | 4.5% | 11.8% |
| Hardin County | 11,640 | $67,780 | $3,027 | 4.5% | 12.2% |
| Crawford County | 18,168 | $64,573 | $2,869 | 4.4% | 11.2% |
| Meigs County | 8,833 | $60,447 | $2,683 | 4.4% | 12.1% |
| Scioto County | 28,030 | $60,569 | $2,682 | 4.4% | 11.4% |
Next to Ohio in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Ohio households spend on energy?
2.6% for all households ($2,274 of $86,015) and 9.3% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Ohio?
Households under 30% of median income: 18.8%, 558,294 homes spending $1,647 on $8,774.
How many Ohio homes get LIHEAP heating help?
254,217 in FY2024, 19 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Ohio energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.6% of 2.6%; gas and other fuel are the rest.