Can households afford energy in Wisconsin?
43rd of 51. All Wisconsin households: 2.4% ($2,132 of $89,141). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 14.8% on $9,585. Renters 2.3%, owners 2.4%.
Wisconsin burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Wisconsin: under 30%. Together 10% of homes (248,871 of 2,425,488).
Wisconsin burden, % of income
- 14.8Under 30%
- 5.930% to 60%
- 4.060% to 80%
- 3.480% to 100%
- 1.7Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Wisconsin down to 6% takes $849 off its $1,424 energy cost, or $14,148 more income.
Wisconsin income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Wisconsin homes | Share | Wisconsin income | Electric | All energy | Wisconsin burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 248,871 | 10% | $9,585 | $885 | $1,424 | 14.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 394,332 | 16% | $29,973 | $1,018 | $1,762 | 5.9% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 282,511 | 12% | $49,082 | $1,113 | $1,987 | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 274,516 | 11% | $63,423 | $1,178 | $2,123 | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,225,259 | 51% | $139,341 | $1,349 | $2,431 | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,425,488 | 100% | $89,141 | $1,201 | $2,132 | 2.4% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Wisconsin
Renters pay $1,040 on $44,886 (2.3%); owners $2,654 on $110,274 (2.4%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 65% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 6.2%.
| Wisconsin heating fuel | Homes | Share | Wisconsin income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 405,803 | 16.7% | $63,389 | $1,145 | 1.8% |
| Utility gas | 1,587,945 | 65.5% | $96,348 | $2,042 | 2.1% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 284,017 | 11.7% | $94,255 | $3,661 | 3.9% |
| Fuel oil | 40,045 | 1.7% | $68,874 | $4,276 | 6.2% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 107,677 | 4.4% | $73,954 | $2,353 | 3.2% |
Your burden against Wisconsin
Help and shutoff rules in Wisconsin
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 182,938 homes, 28 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $112,832,158, $175 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $30 minimum, $2,147 maximum Crisis: $1,200 maximum.
- Wisconsin LIHEAP office, phone 1-866-432-8947
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Wisconsin
- Wisconsin help with your bill
Wisconsin has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, 113.0304, 113.0404, 113.01, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Wisconsin utility.
Highest-burden Wisconsin counties
72 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Taylor County at 5.1%, lowest of the 72: Dane County at 1.6%.
| Wisconsin county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | 7,754 | $76,723 | $3,886 | 5.1% | 13.7% |
| Jackson County | 7,990 | $77,217 | $3,773 | 4.9% | 12.7% |
| Buffalo County | 5,616 | $77,473 | $3,635 | 4.7% | 12.3% |
| Rusk County | 6,190 | $69,969 | $3,242 | 4.6% | 11.9% |
| Price County | 6,630 | $67,673 | $3,093 | 4.6% | 11.3% |
| Iron County | 2,941 | $69,088 | $3,022 | 4.4% | 11.1% |
| Menominee County | 1,307 | $70,378 | $3,033 | 4.3% | 10.9% |
| Washburn County | 7,252 | $75,127 | $3,172 | 4.2% | 11.8% |
Next to Wisconsin in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Wisconsin households spend on energy?
2.4% for all households ($2,132 of $89,141) and 7.4% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Wisconsin?
Households under 30% of median income: 14.8%, 248,871 homes spending $1,424 on $9,585.
How many Wisconsin homes get LIHEAP heating help?
182,938 in FY2024, 28 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Wisconsin energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.3% of 2.4%; gas and other fuel are the rest.