As temperatures hit record highs in parts of the country, energy bills are sure to follow. Air-conditioning can help, but there’s only so much you can do in 111-degree heat.
Where do Americans pay the most for their energy? A recent study by WalletHub ranked the energy costs for homeowners by state, looking at the average monthly consumption and price of electricity, natural gas, home heating oil and motor fuel. (Motor fuel costs also included miles traveled and the number of drivers in the state.) The data was sourced from government agencies and AAA.
Wyoming, known for its extremely cold winters, has by far the steepest average monthly cost of energy — $1,591 — in large part because it consumes the most motor fuel and residential oil per capita, and has the highest monthly prices for both. The five most expensive states overall — Wyoming, North Dakota, Iowa, Montana and Minnesota — have the highest heating-oil prices, ranging from $396 to $1,087 a month.
Hawaii, which ranks 29th overall, has the highest monthly cost of electricity, $204, and natural gas, $212, but also the nation’s lowest consumption of both. Louisiana (42nd), where sticky heat demands air-conditioning, has the highest electrical consumption, while Alaska (8th), among the coldest states, leads the way for natural gas consumption, showing again that heating is generally more expensive than cooling.
Looking for the lowest energy bill? Head to New Mexico, where energy costs average $376 a month. The state ranked 49th for electricity costs ($103 a month), 47th for natural gas ($76 a month) and 47th for oil ($11 a month).
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