Can households afford energy in Vermont?
1st of 51. All Vermont households: 3.8% ($3,471 of $91,285). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 23.6% on $8,762. Renters 3.3%, owners 3.9%.
Vermont burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Vermont: under 30%, 30% to 60%, 60% to 80%. Together 37% of homes (98,175 of 265,858).
Vermont burden, % of income
- 23.6Under 30%
- 11.030% to 60%
- 7.460% to 80%
- 5.880% to 100%
- 2.7Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Vermont down to 6% takes $1,544 off its $2,070 energy cost, or $25,738 more income.
Vermont income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Vermont homes | Share | Vermont income | Electric | All energy | Vermont burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 26,735 | 10% | $8,762 | $847 | $2,070 | 23.6% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 42,965 | 16% | $27,415 | $1,028 | $3,013 | 11.0% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 28,475 | 11% | $46,409 | $1,178 | $3,416 | 7.4% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 28,303 | 11% | $60,138 | $1,258 | $3,460 | 5.8% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 139,380 | 52% | $142,294 | $1,378 | $3,895 | 2.7% | 1.6% |
| All | 265,858 | 100% | $91,285 | $1,234 | $3,471 | 3.8% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Vermont
Renters pay $1,331 on $40,438 (3.3%); owners $4,276 on $110,399 (3.9%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: fuel oil, 41% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 4.8%.
| Vermont heating fuel | Homes | Share | Vermont income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 18,795 | 7.1% | $57,496 | $1,315 | 2.3% |
| Utility gas | 47,862 | 18.0% | $102,490 | $2,012 | 2.0% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 48,401 | 18.2% | $100,149 | $3,843 | 3.8% |
| Fuel oil | 108,676 | 40.9% | $86,898 | $4,192 | 4.8% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 42,124 | 15.8% | $94,761 | $3,805 | 4.0% |
Your burden against Vermont
Help and shutoff rules in Vermont
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 23,293 homes, 33 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $23,126,077, $332 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $21 minimum, $2,089 maximum Winter Crisis: $2,479.64 maximum.
- Vermont LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-775-0516
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Vermont
- Vermont help with your bill
Vermont has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Vt. PUC Rule 3.300 (Disconnection of Residential Gas, Electric, and Water Service), secs. 3.301-3.307, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Vermont utility.
Highest-burden Vermont counties
14 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Essex County at 6.3%, lowest of the 14: Chittenden County at 2.2%.
| Vermont county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | 2,667 | $67,032 | $4,223 | 6.3% | 16.6% |
| Orleans County | 11,528 | $78,509 | $4,165 | 5.3% | 15.1% |
| Caledonia County | 12,819 | $79,784 | $4,130 | 5.2% | 14.8% |
| Lamoille County | 11,176 | $88,254 | $4,330 | 4.9% | 16.0% |
| Rutland County | 25,334 | $79,011 | $3,768 | 4.8% | 14.0% |
| Orange County | 12,690 | $87,846 | $3,976 | 4.5% | 13.9% |
| Windham County | 19,382 | $82,463 | $3,712 | 4.5% | 13.9% |
| Windsor County | 24,536 | $88,847 | $3,843 | 4.3% | 14.7% |
Next to Vermont in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Vermont households spend on energy?
3.8% for all households ($3,471 of $91,285) and 13.1% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Vermont?
Households under 30% of median income: 23.6%, 26,735 homes spending $2,070 on $8,762.
How many Vermont homes get LIHEAP heating help?
23,293 in FY2024, 33 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Vermont energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.4% of 3.8%; gas and other fuel are the rest.