Can households afford energy in Washington?
51st of 51. All Washington households: 1.4% ($1,704 of $117,538). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 10.1% on $11,380. Renters 1.3%, owners 1.5%.
Washington burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Washington: under 30%. Together 10% of homes (302,585 of 2,979,272).
Washington burden, % of income
- 10.1Under 30%
- 3.930% to 60%
- 2.760% to 80%
- 2.280% to 100%
- 1.1Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Washington down to 6% takes $465 off its $1,148 energy cost, or $7,753 more income.
Washington income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Washington homes | Share | Washington income | Electric | All energy | Washington burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 302,585 | 10% | $11,380 | $898 | $1,148 | 10.1% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 442,450 | 15% | $35,904 | $1,045 | $1,383 | 3.9% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 312,076 | 10% | $57,620 | $1,141 | $1,580 | 2.7% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 296,358 | 10% | $73,763 | $1,166 | $1,643 | 2.2% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,625,804 | 55% | $178,992 | $1,238 | $1,929 | 1.1% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,979,272 | 100% | $117,538 | $1,158 | $1,704 | 1.4% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Washington
Renters pay $976 on $74,087 (1.3%); owners $2,117 on $142,210 (1.5%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: electricity, 57% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 3.7%.
| Washington heating fuel | Homes | Share | Washington income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1,696,603 | 56.9% | $97,234 | $1,342 | 1.4% |
| Utility gas | 1,010,349 | 33.9% | $155,675 | $2,042 | 1.3% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 93,676 | 3.1% | $126,382 | $2,851 | 2.3% |
| Fuel oil | 44,550 | 1.5% | $119,118 | $4,372 | 3.7% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 134,095 | 4.5% | $80,369 | $2,044 | 2.5% |
Your burden against Washington
Help and shutoff rules in Washington
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 87,577 homes, 12 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $61,537,386, $83 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating & Crisis: 150% Federal Poverty Level Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level.
Benefits listed: Heating: $250 minimum, $1,250 maximum Crisis: $13,000 maximum Weatherization: $20,000 maximum.
Programs named for Washington: Tacoma Public Utilities; Seattle City Light; AVISTA Utilities.
Washington has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: WAC 480-100-143 (winter) and WAC 480-100-128 (disconnection), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Washington utility.
Highest-burden Washington counties
39 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Garfield County at 3.7%, lowest of the 39: Chelan County at 0.8%.
| Washington county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | 1,009 | $69,420 | $2,549 | 3.7% | 8.2% |
| Ferry County | 3,025 | $67,920 | $2,422 | 3.6% | 9.8% |
| Okanogan County | 17,005 | $71,405 | $2,395 | 3.4% | 8.6% |
| Columbia County | 1,804 | $79,397 | $2,351 | 3.0% | 7.8% |
| Skamania County | 4,812 | $98,459 | $2,812 | 2.9% | 10.5% |
| Wahkiakum County | 1,954 | $71,017 | $1,997 | 2.8% | 7.1% |
| Grays Harbor County | 29,542 | $72,020 | $1,940 | 2.7% | 6.2% |
| San Juan County | 8,654 | $103,368 | $2,777 | 2.7% | 10.1% |
Next to Washington in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Washington households spend on energy?
1.4% for all households ($1,704 of $117,538) and 5.0% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Washington?
Households under 30% of median income: 10.1%, 302,585 homes spending $1,148 on $11,380.
How many Washington homes get LIHEAP heating help?
87,577 in FY2024, 12 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Washington energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.0% of 1.4%; gas and other fuel are the rest.