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Baby it’s cold outside: States that need to save the most for utility costs this winter

Utah is projected to have the most affordable winter utility bill, totalling only $81.63 per month this winter. 

A bird in the wintertime, surrounded by snow. — Image by © Tim Sandle.
A bird in the wintertime, surrounded by snow. — Image by © Tim Sandle.

A new study reveals which states are expected to pay the highest utility bills this coming winter. Of these U.S. territories, Hawaii is predicted to have the hardest hit winter, with this year’s household bills estimated to cost up to $226.01 per month.

In contrast, Utah is projected to have the most affordable winter utility bill, totalling only $81.63 per month this winter. 

The study was conducted by Universal Windows Syracuse who analysed state-by-state data from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to predict the annual electricity bills across the U.S.

By comparing consumer costs between winter months in 2022, 2023, and 2024, a yearly increase was forecasted for each state, determining a total bill for each household this winter.

States projected to face the highest bills this winter

State NameRankingAverage Bills 2022Average Bills 2023Average Bills 2024Average 2022-2024
Hawaii1$237.59$223.44$216.99$226.01
Connecticut2$174.66$191.24$202.75$189.55
Alabama3$157.36$165.83$173.54$165.58
Massachusetts4$162.34$158.75$170.87$163.99
Texas5$154.91$162.10$164.25$160.42
New Hampshire6$181.21$149.26$147.73$159.40
Maryland7$141.04$160.76$174.07$158.62
West Virginia8$145.21$150.02$168.54$154.59
Rhode Island9$145.07$164.03$154.20$154.43
Florida10$149.17$158.79$150.62$152.86

As discussed earlier, Hawaii has the highest projected winter utility bill, totaling $226.01 per household per month. Interestingly, costs have been declining since 2022, when the average monthly winter bill was $237.59, whereas for 2024, it had reduced to $216.99.

Connecticut is projected to face the second-highest household monthly winter bill at $189.55, costing 16% less than Hawaii. In the past three years, the highest year for costs in Connecticut was last year, when residents faced paying $202.75 each winter month.

Alabama comes in third, with projected monthly winter bills averaging at $165.58 this winter. This comes as a result of a steadily growing increase in the state for winter bills from $157.36 in 2022 to $173.54 in 2024.

Massachusetts is fourth, where folks in the state can be expected to be handed a winter bill of $163.99 per month. In 2023, the state saw a decrease in its bills from 2022; however, this quickly grew in 2024 to $170.87. 

Rounding out the top five most expensive states is Texas, where monthly winter bills in 2025 are projected to hit $160.42, as a result of steadily climbing bills between 2022 and 2024.

States with the Lowest Estimated Electricity Bill for 2024 

State NameRankingAverage Bills 2022Average Bills 2023Average Bills 2024Average 2022-2024
Utah50$81.11$78.90$84.88$81.63
New Mexico49$88.35$88.38$94.28$90.34
Colorado48$96.52$93.13$103.47$97.71
Illinois47$108.23$98.96$107.49$104.89
New Jersey46$95.68$107.61$112.74$105.34
Wyoming45$103.05$104.42$112.58$106.68
Iowa44$106.00$105.84$108.22$106.69
Wisconsin43$104.75$108.98$111.25$108.33
Minnesota42$106.34$107.52$111.27$108.38
Nebraska41$108.56$109.43$110.76$109.58

In contrast, Utah can expect a substantially lower monthly winter bill, amounting to $81.63. The highest year for Utah’s bills during winter was last year, when folks were expected to pay out $84.88. However, the year before was lower at $78.90 per month in the winter, the lowest figure for any year in any state.

New Mexico is projected to receive the second-lowest bill at $90.34 per month. Colorado follows just behind with a monthly winter bill projection of $97.71, making it the third most affordable state.

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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