15 Places Where Winter Utility Bills Have Skyrocketed

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Upgraded Points.

As the height of winter approaches in the U.S. and temperatures continue to drop across the country, many Americans are turning their focus to the high prices of household utilities — namely household heating fuels.

On average, nearly half of residential energy consumption in the U.S. is attributable to space heating, and 85% of U.S. adults report that their utility costs have increased in recent years.

While heating prices have come down in recent months compared to their 2023 peak, Americans are still projected to spend nearly 30% more on utilities this winter than before the pandemic.

Differences in fuels, prices, and climate create large regional variations in household utility expenditures, especially during the winter months.

The following is a breakdown of states most impacted by rising heating costs this winter.

The research was conducted by Upgraded Points using the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Refer to the methodology at the end for more details on how the analysis was conducted.

1. New Hampshire

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +45.4%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $553
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $380
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Heating oil

2. Maine

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +44.4%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $509
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $353
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Heating oil

3. Louisiana

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +37.8%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $211
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $153
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Electricity

4. Florida

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +36.6%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $188
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $137
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Electricity

5. Pennsylvania

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +32.5%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $364
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $274
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

6. Illinois

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +32.4%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $259
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $195
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

7. Oklahoma

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +32.2%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $246
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $186
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

8. Kansas

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +31.4%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $267
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $203
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

9. Massachusetts

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +31.0%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $443
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $338
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

10. Texas

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +30.6%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $220
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $168
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Electricity

11. Connecticut

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +29.8%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $506
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $389
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Heating oil

12. New York

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +29.8%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $356
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $274
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

13. Colorado

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +29.0%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $204
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $158
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

14. Indiana

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +28.4%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $272
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $212
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

15. Nebraska

• Change in Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs: +27.8%
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2023–2024, Projected): $244
• Average Monthly Winter Household Utility Costs (2019–2020): $191
• Primary Household Heating Fuel Source: Natural gas

Methodology

To find the locations most impacted by rising heating costs this winter, researchers at Upgraded Points analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook, Natural Gas data, Electricity data, Propane data, and Petroleum & Other Liquids data.

The researchers ranked states according to the change in monthly winter household utility costs from winter 2019–2020 to winter 2023–2024.

For the purposes of this analysis, winter was considered to be December through February, and the 4 most common heating fuel utilities (natural gas, electricity, propane, and heating oil) were considered in utility cost calculations.

Household utility costs were calculated using regional energy data, consumption patterns, and the EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook projections.