MoneyGeek Analysis:
This Southern State Has the Third Highest Heating Bill in the Country
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To explore how rising natural gas prices could affect U.S. households this winter, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to find which states are expected to have the highest heating prices this year. We also determined which regions are expected to see the most significant bill increases since last winter.
With the winter months fast approaching, families nationwide can use this data to inform their budgets, learn more about heating bill assistance programs and prepare as best as possible. By taking additional steps to reduce home energy costs, households across the country can save money this winter and beyond.
Most Expensive States for Winter Heating

Using household data from the recently-released EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey, natural gas consumption figures and average residential prices, MoneyGeek forecasted average heating bills across the U.S. and ranked the states with the most expensive expected heating bills for winter 2022–2023.
Alaska residents are expected to have the highest heating bills of any state this winter, at an estimated cost of $291 per month. Interestingly, though the cost of heating increased the most in the Midwest, 3 of the 10 most expensive states for heating overall are located in the South.
15 States With the Highest Expected Winter Heating Costs
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- StateMonthly Natural Gas Bill per Household (2022–2023)Region
- 1.Alaska$291West
- 2.Rhode Island$200Northeast
- 3.Georgia$200South
- 4.Connecticut$192Northeast
- 5.New York$190Northeast
- 6.Massachusetts$181Northeast
- 7.Hawaii$179West
- 8.Maryland$176South
Regions With the Largest Winter Heating Price Increases
Overall, natural gas customers across the country will see a surge of 28% in their heating costs this year; however, price increases won't impact every region of the United States equally. Below, MoneyGeek ranked the areas with the highest expected percentage increases in heating costs this winter, along with the top three most expensive states for heating in each region.
1. The Midwest
With an expected increase of 33%, the Midwest will experience the highest average increase in heating bills this winter. When looking at average monthly heating bills per state in this region, the most expensive are Illinois ($175), Ohio ($158) and Indiana ($155).
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- StateExpected Monthly Natural Gas Heating Bill (2022-2023)Price Difference in Monthly Bill (2021–2022)
- 1.Illinois$175$44
- 2.Ohio$158$39
- 3.Indiana$155$39
2. The West
Trailing close behind as the region with the second highest heating costs is the West, where residents can expect price hikes of 29% in natural gas this season. How much is the heating bill per month here? For residents of Alaska, the expected cost is $291 per month. Customers in Hawaii will likely pay $179, and those in Washington will have a cost of $146 per month.
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- StateExpected Monthly Natural Gas Heating Bill (2022-2023)Price Difference in Monthly Bill (2021–2022)
- 1.Alaska$291$66
- 2.Hawaii$179$40
- 3.Washington$146$33
3. The South
Average monthly heating bills are also on the rise in the South. Residents here will pay 23% more in 2022 than in 2021. Customers in Georgia will pay the third-highest heating prices in the country ($200). Maryland and North Carolina are also on the list of the ten states with the highest heating costs, at $176 and $165, respectively.
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- StateExpected Monthly Natural Gas Heating Bill (2022-2023)Price Difference in Monthly Bill (2021–2022)
- 1.Georgia$200$37
- 2.Maryland$176$33
- 3.North Carolina$165$31
4. The Northeast
Keeping your home warm will also be 22% more expensive in the Northeast this year. The priciest states for heating in this region are Rhode Island ($200), Connecticut ($192) and New York ($190).
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- StateExpected Monthly Natural Gas Heating Bill (2022-2023)Price Difference in Monthly Bill (2021–2022)
- 1.Rhode Island$200$36
- 2.Connecticut$192$34
- 3.New York$190$34
The Safety Risks of Using Alternative Heating Methods to Save Money
With heating costs increasing this year across the board, many people may be tempted to use alternative heating methods such as space heaters and fireplaces. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 2021 Home Heating Fires Report warns against this and highlights that heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in U.S. homes.
According to the NFPA’s study, stationary or portable space heaters are responsible for 81% of home fire deaths caused by heating equipment. And fireplaces or chimneys are involved in three out of 10 home fires caused by heating equipment. Given those findings, the Association’s recommendations are to:
- Get stationary space heaters, water heaters and central heaters professionally installed in compliance with local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Schedule annual inspections of your heating equipment and chimneys.
- If you use a portable heater, make sure it is turned off before leaving a room or going to sleep.
Before using alternative heating methods, consider getting help with your heating bill or exploring other ways to save on your heating costs. Some households may qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) this winter season. And taking steps to winterize your home can also help save on heating costs while minimizing risks.
Exploring these avenues can be especially advantageous when considering that insurance coverage varies when it comes to alternative heating methods. While turning on a space heater or lighting a fire in your fireplace may help you save money on your monthly heating bill, many homeowners may find out too late they are not fully covered in the event of an accident. Therefore, it’s essential to understand what your policy covers in terms of the top winter home insurance claims. Before using alternative heating methods, learn about the risks and find an affordable renters insurance plan or buy a quality home insurance policy to protect your property in the event of an accident.
Expert Insights
Understanding your heating needs and staying informed about rising costs can help you prepare for this winter season.
To help readers prepare their homes and finances for increases in their average heating bills, MoneyGeek connected with experts on the subject. Their insights can help you save money and keep your home warm.
- What are the most sustainable heating methods today?
- How do these methods rank in terms of affordability?
- Is it better to keep your home at a constant temperature, or to turn the heater on and off throughout the day?
- Can you share any tips to save on heating and keep your home warm this winter season?
- As climate changes and natural gas prices rise, can homeowners expect electric heating to become more popular in the future?
- Does electric heating increase the value of your property?

Assistant Teaching Professor, Carnegie Mellon University

HVAC Instructor, AS

Engineering Instructor, UC Berkeley Extension
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to estimate how much more natural gas heating will cost around the country this winter (2022–23) than it did last (2021–2022).
To determine 2021 natural gas heating bills per household, we used gas consumption data and retail prices for residential customers from November 2021.
Our data team utilized the EIA’s Winter Fuels Outlook to determine how consumption and prices will change for winter 2022–2023.
MoneyGeek used household data from the recently released 2021 American Community Survey to estimate the number of households using natural gas, specifically for winter heating purposes. We used this figure to help estimate natural gas expenditures per household in each state for 2022–2023.
Limitations: Regional projections for consumption and prices from the EIA were used to generate 2022-2023 figures rather than projections for each state. This methodology reflects the percentage increase figures for states in each of those regions.
If you have any questions about our findings or methodology, please reach out to Melody Kasulis via email at melody@moneygeek.com.
Full Data Set
The data points presented are defined as follows:
- Rank: Ranked by projected 2022–2023 monthly heating costs using natural gas in order of highest to lowest costs.
- Monthly Natural Gas Bill per Household (2022–2023): Uses EIA Winter Fuels Outlook projections by region — considering increased consumption and prices — to estimate natural gas heating costs per household per month.
- Monthly Natural Gas Bill per Household (2021): Calculated by multiplying total residential consumption (McF) by residential retail prices from November 2021, divided by the total number of households using natural gas for heating purposes.
- Bill Increase (2021–2022): The difference between the monthly household natural gas bill in 2022 and 2021.
Rank | State | Region | Monthly Natural Gas Bill per Household (2022–2023) | Monthly Natural Gas Bill per Household (2021) | Bill Increase (2021–2022) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alaska | West | $291 | $225 | $66 |
2 | Rhode Island | Northeast | $200 | $165 | $36 |
3 | Georgia | South | $200 | $163 | $37 |
4 | Connecticut | Northeast | $192 | $158 | $34 |
5 | New York | Northeast | $190 | $156 | $34 |
6 | Massachusetts | Northeast | $181 | $148 | $32 |
7 | Hawaii | West | $179 | $139 | $40 |
8 | Maryland | South | $176 | $143 | $33 |
9 | Illinois | Midwest | $175 | $131 | $44 |
10 | North Carolina | South | $165 | $134 | $31 |
11 | Oklahoma | South | $161 | $131 | $30 |
12 | Virginia | South | $159 | $129 | $30 |
13 | Ohio | Midwest | $158 | $118 | $39 |
14 | Indiana | Midwest | $155 | $116 | $39 |
15 | North Dakota | Midwest | $153 | $115 | $38 |
16 | Michigan | Midwest | $152 | $114 | $38 |
17 | Minnesota | Midwest | $149 | $112 | $37 |
18 | Arkansas | South | $148 | $120 | $28 |
19 | Missouri | Midwest | $147 | $110 | $37 |
20 | Washington | West | $146 | $113 | $33 |
21 | Pennsylvania | Northeast | $144 | $118 | $26 |
22 | Kentucky | South | $144 | $117 | $27 |
23 | Wyoming | West | $141 | $109 | $32 |
24 | Wisconsin | Midwest | $140 | $105 | $35 |
25 | Kansas | Midwest | $138 | $103 | $34 |
26 | Montana | West | $136 | $105 | $31 |
27 | Nebraska | Midwest | $132 | $99 | $33 |
28 | West Virginia | South | $131 | $107 | $25 |
29 | Maine | Northeast | $131 | $108 | $23 |
30 | Oregon | West | $129 | $100 | $29 |
31 | Delaware | South | $128 | $104 | $24 |
32 | South Carolina | South | $125 | $102 | $23 |
33 | Vermont | Northeast | $124 | $102 | $22 |
34 | Tennessee | South | $124 | $101 | $23 |
35 | Iowa | Midwest | $122 | $91 | $30 |
36 | Colorado | West | $122 | $94 | $27 |
37 | New Mexico | West | $112 | $87 | $25 |
38 | Florida | South | $106 | $86 | $20 |
39 | South Dakota | Midwest | $106 | $80 | $27 |
40 | New Jersey | Northeast | $105 | $86 | $19 |
41 | Mississippi | South | $105 | $85 | $20 |
42 | Utah | West | $104 | $81 | $24 |
43 | California | West | $100 | $78 | $23 |
44 | Alabama | South | $95 | $77 | $18 |
45 | New Hampshire | Northeast | $94 | $77 | $17 |
46 | Idaho | West | $94 | $73 | $21 |
47 | Louisiana | South | $91 | $74 | $17 |
48 | Texas | South | $88 | $71 | $16 |
49 | Nevada | West | $67 | $52 | $15 |
50 | Arizona | West | $65 | $50 | $15 |
U.S. Average | $138 | $109 | $29 |
About the Author

sources
- National Fire Protection Association. "Home Heating Fires." Accessed November 27, 2022.
- United States Census Bureau. "Why We Ask Questions About Home Heating Fuel." Accessed January 20, 2023.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP)." Accessed November 11, 2022.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. "EIA Natural Gas Consumption - Residential." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. "EIA Natural Gas Prices - Residential." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. "Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. "EIA Winter Fuels Outlook, 2022-2023." Accessed October 27, 2022.