In 10 states, homeowners’ and single-family renters’ average monthly energy costs are between $330 and $410.
Half of these states — Connecticut ($410), Massachusetts ($352), Rhode Island ($346), Vermont ($342) and Maine ($341) — are located in the Northeast, according to findings from WalletHub.
When determining average energy costs, WalletHub analyzed electricity, natural gas, motor fuel and home heating oil prices, along with consumption volumes. The latter is a key factor in average monthly costs, as a number of states with the highest bills didn’t have the highest prices.
Other states with the highest average energy bills included:
- Wyoming ($355)
- Alaska ($349)
- North Dakota ($342)
- Oklahoma ($334)
- Georgia ($331)
Consumers in the District of Columbia are cited as having the lowest average monthly energy bills at $223.
The district is followed by:
- Colorado ($244)
- Washington ($245)
- Oregon ($261)
- Arizona ($268)
- New Mexico ($274)
- Illinois ($274)
- Florida ($276)
- California ($280)
- Louisiana ($284)
The lowest fuel prices in the nation can be found in the South — specifically, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. The West has the highest fuel prices, with Alaska, California, Hawaii, Washington and Nevada topping the list.
Electricity prices are highest in Vermont, Connecticut, Arkansas, New York and Hawaii. The cheapest can be found in Washington, North Dakota, Idaho, Louisiana and West Virginia.
The cheapest natural gas prices can be found in North Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota and Montana. If you’re utilizing natural gas in Maine, Alabama, Vermont, Florida or Hawaii, then you’re paying the most in the nation.
When it comes to heating oil, Northeastern states account for the highest percentage of usage and also have the highest costs. D.C., New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts have the highest prices.
But lower prices don’t always equate to lower costs. Consumption is key when it comes to energy bill totals.
WalletHub points to southern Louisiana, an area with scorching summer weather but cheap electricity. The result: Households still end up with higher out-of-pocket costs than those in energy-expensive Northern California, where the temperate climate keeps heating and cooling units idle most of the year.
North Dakota is another interesting case. The state has some of the lowest electricity costs and natural gas prices in the nation but consumes the most electricity and fuel. Consumption outweighs low prices; North Dakota ranked as having the sixth-highest energy bills.
It’s estimated that roughly 7.3 percent of the average consumer’s annual income goes to energy costs. July is typically the month with the highest energy consumption, followed by August.
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