Energy burden explained
Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to energy. It turns a bill into a question of who can afford it.
What DOE means by it
The U.S. Department of Energy defines energy burden as the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs, calculated by dividing the average housing energy cost by the average annual household income. A household at 6% or more is considered high energy burden.
Using its LEAD tool, DOE says the national average energy burden for low-income households (0 to 80% of area median income) is 6%, three times the estimated 2% for non-low-income households. It says that in some areas, depending on location and income, burden can be higher than 30%. Using ACS data it puts the number of low-income households at 42% of U.S. households, about 51 million.
What we can compute
DOE's burden covers all energy at home: electricity, gas, oil and others. We have only electricity. So our measure is narrower: a typical yearly electric bill (energy only, from EIA monthly sales) divided by the state's median household income (ACS 2023). The median state is at 2.18%. Mississippi is highest at 3.63% and Utah lowest at 1.33%.
United States, Typical electric bill as a share of median household income, 2025: EIA retail sales 2025, Census ACS 2023.
CSV| State | Typical yearly electric bill (energy only) | Median household income | Bill as share of income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $1,992 | $54,915 | 3.63% |
| Alabama | $2,225 | $62,027 | 3.59% |
| West Virginia | $1,984 | $57,917 | 3.43% |
| Louisiana | $1,851 | $60,023 | 3.08% |
| South Carolina | $1,931 | $66,818 | 2.89% |
| Kentucky | $1,798 | $62,417 | 2.88% |
| Tennessee | $1,925 | $67,097 | 2.87% |
| Arkansas | $1,655 | $58,773 | 2.82% |
Source: EIA monthly retail sales 2025 (typical bill = average kWh per customer times price, 12 months); Census ACS 2023 5-year, table B19013 (median household income). Retrieved 2026-10-02. CSV, 51 rows.
Lowest burden
| State | Typical yearly electric bill (energy only) | Median household income | Bill as share of income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | $1,218 | $91,750 | 1.33% |
| Colorado | $1,289 | $92,470 | 1.39% |
| Washington | $1,502 | $94,952 | 1.58% |
| District of Columbia | $1,682 | $106,287 | 1.58% |
| Minnesota | $1,410 | $87,556 | 1.61% |
| Idaho | $1,324 | $74,636 | 1.77% |
| New Jersey | $1,803 | $101,050 | 1.78% |
| Nevada | $1,373 | $75,561 | 1.82% |
Source: EIA monthly retail sales 2025; Census ACS 2023 5-year, table B19013. Retrieved 2026-10-02. CSV, 51 rows.
Why the average hides the problem
These ratios use a median income. A household at half the median that uses the same power spends twice the share: in Mississippi that is 7.3% for electricity alone. We do not have income-band data by state: no data. DOE's LEAD tool has it by census tract.
Fixed charges, taxes and riders are not in our bill, so the real share is higher. Gas, oil, propane and wood are not in it at all.
Where to look next
For low-income detail, use the LEAD tool on energy.gov. For help paying, ask your utility about assistance and payment plans, and see the state shutoff rules page on this site for what protections we verified. For lowering use, the seasons page shows which months drive the bill.
Key facts and where they come from
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOE definition of energy burden | Percent of gross household income spent on energy | DOE, LEAD Tool page, energy.gov/scep | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| High energy burden threshold | 6% or more | DOE, LEAD Tool page | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| National average, low-income households | 6% | DOE LEAD Tool page | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| National average, non-low-income households | 2% (estimated) | DOE LEAD Tool page | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Low-income share of U.S. households (ACS) | 42%, about 51 million | DOE LEAD Tool page | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Highest local burden DOE mentions | Can be higher than 30% in some areas | DOE LEAD Tool page | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Median state bill share of income (electric only) | 2.18% | EIA monthly sales 2025; ACS 2023 | 2025 bills, 2023 income |
| Highest: Mississippi | 3.63% | EIA monthly sales 2025; ACS 2023 | 2025 bills, 2023 income |
| Lowest: Utah | 1.33% | EIA monthly sales 2025; ACS 2023 | 2025 bills, 2023 income |
| States in the comparison | 51 | EIA monthly sales 2025; ACS 2023 | 2025 bills, 2023 income |
Related guides
Questions
What is energy burden?
The share of gross household income spent on energy costs, per DOE.
What counts as a high energy burden?
6% or more, per DOE.
What is the average for low-income households?
6% nationally, three times the 2% DOE estimates for non-low-income households.
Which state has the highest electric bill share of income here?
Mississippi: 3.63% for a typical electric bill over median household income.
Is this the full energy burden?
No. It is electricity only, energy charges only, against median income. DOE's measure includes all home energy.
Does the median household represent low-income families?
No. A household at half the median pays double the share for the same bill.
Where is low-income data by tract?
DOE's LEAD tool at energy.gov. We did not download it: no data here.
Can I lower my electric burden?
Start with the highest-use months on the seasons page, ask about assistance and weatherization programs, and compare plans where you can choose.