This Southern State Has the Third Highest Heating Bill in the Country

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.