Buried in Snow, Buried in Bills

As Massachusetts residents dig out from the “Blizzard of 2026” and turn up the heat to stay warm, many are bracing for what comes next: a utility bill that ranks among the highest in America.

Massachusetts Among the Most Expensive States for Utilities

The latest 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Massachusetts ranks third highest in the nation for utility prices, behind only California and Hawaii. In practical terms, residents are paying roughly 52%, or 1.5 times the national average for electricity, gas, water, and other household utilities.

For residential electricity alone, households in the Commonwealth pay an average of 31.37 cents per kilowatt-hour, the third highest rate in America. For a typical household using the average 863 kilowatt-hours per month, that translates to roughly $115 more each month, or about $1,300 more per year than the national average. Natural gas prices in the state have also climbed sharply, increasing by more than 100% over the past decade.

These elevated costs are not limited to one corner of the state. Every major Massachusetts metro area posts a utility price index above the national average. Whether in Greater Boston, Worcester, Springfield, or elsewhere, families across the Commonwealth pay more than the typical American household for basic energy needs.

Efforts to Deliver Relief 

MOA polling shows voters want broader energy options to lower costs. A majority support expanding domestic natural gas and nuclear energy, and nearly six in ten voters back new pipeline infrastructure to increase supply into New England. That support reflects a broader understanding that two-thirds of New England’s electricity is generated by natural gas, making reliability and access to that fuel central to keeping prices stable.

That growing consensus around expanding energy supplies and over soaring energy bills has fueled calls for action on Beacon Hill. The governor recently unveiled her Energy Affordability Agenda, a plan designed to provide both immediate and long-term relief to millions of consumers.

As part of that effort, the House just passed an updated version of an energy package first proposed under the governor’s agenda. The proposal targets certain surcharges on energy bills, seeks to expand energy supply, and reduces the Mass Save energy efficiency program’s budget by $1 billion. House leaders estimate the package could save between $9 billion and $10 billion for electric and gas customers over the next decade.

Despite projected savings in the billions and ongoing reform efforts, Massachusetts continues to face significant challenges in bringing down utility prices.

Impacts of High Energy Costs On The Economy 

At a time when affordability dominates debate on Beacon Hill, energy costs are not abstract. They are one of the most visible and measurable pressures on household budgets. A November 2025 Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll, even showed that more than 20% of residents said utility bills were the greatest strain on their finances. 

The impact is not confined to households. For many small businesses, energy is now one of the fastest-growing operating costs, with climate and electrification-related surcharges alone adding tens of thousands of dollars annually to some commercial bills. 

Taken together, high energy costs are not just a line item on a monthly bill – they ripple through the broader economy, raising costs, constraining growth, and placing added strain on households and businesses alike.

Conclusion

Massachusetts has long prided itself on economic strength and opportunity. But sustained high costs across multiple categories create mounting pressure. As residents endure winter storms and rising heating bills, energy affordability is not just a policy debate. It is a measurable, statewide challenge — and another test of whether the Commonwealth can ease the cost pressures that increasingly define life in one of the nation’s most expensive states.

Beacon Hill has acknowledged the strain and advanced affordability proposals. The ultimate measure of success will be whether families see consistent and lasting reductions in their monthly bills.