(The Center Square) – With many utility costs rising across the U.S. as temperatures drop, Wisconsin ranks 13th among the top 15 states that spend the lowest percentage of their income on utility bills.
According to a report by Eden Emerald Hot Water, Wisconsinites spend approximately 11.97% of their salary paying for gas, electric, water, sewer, internet, cable, and phone. The average annual utility cost in Wisconsin is $6,715 while the average salary in Wisconsin is $56,120.
The findings were analyzed by Eden Emerald Hot Water and sourced from annual utility bill data from This Old House and average salaries from Forbes.
With a monthly payment of approximately $559.58, the average Wisconsinite also pays less than the national monthly average for utilities, $609.90. Part of the reason for lower overall utility bills may be due to Wisconsinites using less electricity – a major part of total utilities costs – than their Midwestern neighbors.
According to the most recent comprehensive data from the Wisconsin Public Services Commission, residents pay $106.94 per month on average for electricity versus the Midwest average of $118.65 monthly, despite Wisconsin having higher electricity costs per kilowatt-hour.
Colorado tops the 15 states with the lowest percentage of income spent on all utilities, followed by Washington, California, New York, Utah, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, Illinois, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Nevada.
