20 States Where Heating Costs Will Rise the Most (And Least) in 2025

Even if you were fortunate enough to make extra money in 2024, the price of utilities, like heat, may seriously cut into any extra cash flow this year. 

According to data gathered by Upgraded Points, the price of heating homes has jumped significantly across most of the U.S. over the past five years — but just how much depends on factors like the heat source and how cold winter gets.

There are several regional differences in heating costs, so we analyzed the 10 states projected to be most and least impacted by the price spikes this winter.

According to the study, winter electricity prices have risen since the early 2000s. Prices hit the highest heights during the pandemic and hit particularly hard in the following states. 

In New Hampshire, where heating oil is primarily used to keep homes warm, heating costs jumped 45.4% between the winters of 2019–2020 and 2023–2024. 

The average winter utility cost in the state was $553.

Maine is one of the coldest states in the U.S. and one of the few that uses heating oil as the primary fuel source.

Heating costs were up 44.4% between the 2019–2020 winter and last year, with the average home spending $509 monthly.

Interestingly, Louisiana is one of the states projected to be most impacted, even though average high temperatures in January hover in the low-60s.

Like many states in the South, homes are primarily heated with electricity. Between winter 2019–2020 and last year, electricity costs were up 37.8%, with the average home spending $211 monthly.

Homes in sunny Florida are also primarily heated with electricity.

The change in monthly winter utility costs jumped 36.6% between 2019-2020 and last year, with the average home paying $188 monthly.

Pennsylvanians typically rely on natural gas to heat their homes — and with average temperatures in January around 30 degrees, they need a lot of heat.

Average monthly utility costs spiked 32.5% between winter 2019–2020 and last year, with the average home paying $364 monthly.

Illinoisans typically heat their homes with natural gas, which they need to crank up in the winter when average temperatures hover around the 30s.

Winter utility bills were up 32.4% since the first pandemic winter, with the average household paying $259 monthly to keep warm.

Oklahoma is not terribly cold — with average January highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s — but the Sooner State has still seen a spike in winter utility costs.

Since the 2019–2020 winter, the average monthly cost has increased 32.2%. Residents who use natural gas pay an average of $246 per month.

Kansas, where natural gas is typically used, has unfortunately seen quite a spike in winter utility costs.

Since the first pandemic winter, monthly utilities went up 31.4% in the state, with households paying $267 on average.

Massachusetts is known for being cold. In January, the average temperature in Boston was in the low- to mid-20s, and even using natural gas, residents paid a lot to keep warm.

Last winter, the average monthly utility cost was $443, up 31% from four years before.

Texas is quite warm in the winter, with average high temperatures in January in the high-50s in Dallas. Still, the state is projected to feel the effects of rising heating costs.

The average monthly winter utility cost soared to $220 last year, up 30.6% from four years prior.

Though everyone feels the financial squeeze, these states are the least impacted by rising heating costs. 

Alabama homes are usually heated with electricity — and it’s one of the states projected to be the least impacted by rising heating costs.

Average winter utility costs were up 13.8% over four years, with the average home paying $255 monthly.

Despite being one of the coldest states in the nation, Montana, where residents use mostly natural gas, hasn’t experienced major spikes in heating costs.

The average price to stay warm in the Treasure State was $253 monthly last year, up 13.6% from four years prior.

Even though it gets chilly in South Carolina’s upstate mountains in winter, the state is projected to feel less impact from rising heat costs than most others.

Most homes are heated with electricity, and winter utility costs increased only 13.1% over four years. The average home paid $238 a month last winter.

Idaho is one of the coldest states in the country. While temperatures vary across the state, sub-zero temperatures at night are not uncommon in certain areas.

Still, the spike in heating costs over four years was mild — just 11.7% — and the average home, which uses natural gas, pays $216 monthly.

Heating demands tend to be lower in the Pacific Northwest, and Washington is not expected to feel the weight of rising heating costs nearly as much as other states.

With electricity as the state's primary heating source, average winter utility costs were just $196 last year, up 9.7% from the previous four years.

Oregon is also expected to fare better than most states in terms of winter costs.

Electricity is used to heat most homes, and average winter utility costs hovered around $196 a month last year, up just 8.4% from the previous four years.

Arizonans don’t often have to worry about heating costs. Even in January, residents enjoy temperatures in the high 60s in Phoenix.

Electricity is the heat source in most homes and costs only increased by about 4.8% between winter 2019 and 2020 and last year. The average home pays $149 monthly.

Residents in Utah are faring better than most when it comes to heating prices.

Most homes in the state are heated with natural gas, and prices increased only 4.6% between winter 2019–2020 and last year. The average home pays $194 a month.

Because of its remote location, tropical Hawaii residents pay relatively high utility bills year-round, but winter prices have recently declined.

Between winter 2019–2020 and last year, winter utility prices dropped 6.5% to an average of $364 monthly.

Believe it or not, Alaska — the coldest state in the country — is projected to be the least affected by rising heating costs. Like in Hawaii, utility prices in the northernmost state are always high, but they fell 11.2% between winter 2019-2020 and last year.

Most of the state uses natural gas, and households pay an average of $359 monthly.

When it comes to smart money moves for homeowners, those considering relocating to a state with a seemingly better cost of living should carefully consider the cost of heating and maintaining a home throughout the seasons.