Last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2012 "Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price" report identified average monthly consumption in different regions of the U.S., and the top and bottom five states for average electricity costs.
According to the EIA, energy consumption is at its peak in July and August, as Americans try to escape the heat. Rising consumption means rising cost, and while the ranking of most, and least expensive electric bills may be enlightening (shameless pun), it ignores other energy costs that account for 7.1 percent of an average consumer's total income. WalletHub has combined average monthly consumption and costs of electricity, natural gas, and fuel in every state to create a "Most and Least Energy Expensive States" guide for consumers.
EcoBuilding Pulse's interactive heat map displays where each state falls for total energy cost, ranging from $301 (Colorado) to $451 (Hawaii). Hovering over a state displays their overall rank, total energy cost, monthly electricity cost, monthly natural gas cost, and monthly fuel cost.
CHEAT SHEET:
Lowest and Highest Electricity Price ($/kWh) States:1. North Dakota 47. Vermont
2. Washington 48. Alaska
3. Arkansas 49. Connecticut
4. Idaho 50. New York
5. Louisiana 51. Hawaii
Lowest and Highest Natural Gas Price ($/1,000 cu ft) States:1. Colorado 47. New Hampshire
2. Oklahoma 48. Maine
3. Wyoming 49. Florida
4. Mississippi 50. Arizona
T-5. Idaho / Montana 51. Hawaii
Lowest and Highest Fuel Price ($/gallon) States:1. South Carolina 47. Oregon
2. Alabama 48. Washington
3. Mississippi 49. California
4. Tennessee 50. Alaska
5. Arkansas 51. Hawaii
For state rankings by consumption level for each state and to see methodology for the report, read more on WalletHub.