Can households afford energy in Pennsylvania?
15th of 51. All Pennsylvania households: 2.8% ($2,680 of $94,272). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 19.4% on $9,611. Renters 3.1%, owners 2.8%.
Pennsylvania burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Pennsylvania: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 29% of homes (1,510,368 of 5,193,727).
Pennsylvania burden, % of income
- 19.4Under 30%
- 7.830% to 60%
- 5.360% to 80%
- 4.280% to 100%
- 2.0Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Pennsylvania down to 6% takes $1,286 off its $1,863 energy cost, or $21,439 more income.
Pennsylvania income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Pennsylvania homes | Share | Pennsylvania income | Electric | All energy | Pennsylvania burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 626,416 | 12% | $9,611 | $1,007 | $1,863 | 19.4% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 883,952 | 17% | $29,916 | $1,214 | $2,348 | 7.8% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 571,788 | 11% | $49,397 | $1,365 | $2,617 | 5.3% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 539,973 | 10% | $63,973 | $1,436 | $2,711 | 4.2% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 2,571,597 | 50% | $153,356 | $1,677 | $3,001 | 2.0% | 1.6% |
| All | 5,193,727 | 100% | $94,272 | $1,458 | $2,680 | 2.8% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Pennsylvania
Renters pay $1,456 on $46,605 (3.1%); owners $3,226 on $115,498 (2.8%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 51% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.0%.
| Pennsylvania heating fuel | Homes | Share | Pennsylvania income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1,265,166 | 24.4% | $83,074 | $1,890 | 2.3% |
| Utility gas | 2,666,404 | 51.3% | $100,616 | $2,464 | 2.5% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 249,272 | 4.8% | $108,242 | $3,217 | 3.0% |
| Fuel oil | 780,249 | 15.0% | $90,048 | $4,481 | 5.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 232,635 | 4.5% | $81,655 | $2,850 | 3.5% |
Your burden against Pennsylvania
Help and shutoff rules in Pennsylvania
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 302,351 homes, 20 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $232,495,503, $154 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Benefits listed: Heating: $200 minimum, $1,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,000 maximum.
- Pennsylvania LIHEAP office, phone 1-866-857-7095
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania help with your bill
Pennsylvania has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: 52 Pa. Code § 56.100, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Pennsylvania utility.
Highest-burden Pennsylvania counties
67 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Schuylkill County at 5.5%, lowest of the 67: Chester County at 1.9%.
| Pennsylvania county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill County | 56,987 | $74,772 | $4,138 | 5.5% | 16.0% |
| Clearfield County | 31,741 | $67,001 | $3,457 | 5.2% | 13.3% |
| Wayne County | 19,747 | $75,130 | $3,874 | 5.2% | 14.2% |
| Bedford County | 19,571 | $70,592 | $3,630 | 5.1% | 13.8% |
| Somerset County | 28,956 | $71,903 | $3,610 | 5.0% | 13.1% |
| Carbon County | 26,662 | $76,458 | $3,788 | 5.0% | 14.8% |
| Mifflin County | 18,612 | $66,640 | $3,273 | 4.9% | 11.3% |
| Cameron County | 2,210 | $54,667 | $2,606 | 4.8% | 9.4% |
Next to Pennsylvania in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Pennsylvania households spend on energy?
2.8% for all households ($2,680 of $94,272) and 10.0% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Pennsylvania?
Households under 30% of median income: 19.4%, 626,416 homes spending $1,863 on $9,611.
How many Pennsylvania homes get LIHEAP heating help?
302,351 in FY2024, 20 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Pennsylvania energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.5% of 2.8%; gas and other fuel are the rest.