JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – With energy costs and temperatures rising across the country, a recent report reveals that some relief can be found in Mississippi.

WalletHub ranks the Magnolia State as the 6th cheapest place in the U.S. for monthly energy costs. Its low ranking stems mainly from relatively low natural gas and heating oil usage among Mississippians. However, gas and electricity prices quickly raise the cost of energy bills for many. Below is the average monthly cost throughout the summer, according to WalletHub.

Mississippi:

Motor-fuel cost: $199

• Rank nationally: 3rd

Electricity cost: $175

• Rank nationally: 10th

Natural gas cost: $83

• Rank nationally: 43rd

Home heating oil cost: $1

• Rank nationally: 50th

Total energy cost per month: $457

• Rank nationally: 45th

*No. 1 = Most expensive, No. 50 = Least expensive

Nationally, the average U.S. family spends at least $2,000 per year on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy . The heating and cooling of spaces alone account for more than half the average bill. In 2022, the average consumer spent another $3,120 on motor fuel and oil.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that residential electricity bills increased by 2% each month nationally compared with 2022. That growth rate was slower than inflation, which was 4.1% in 2023. Over the past decade, residential electricity prices have increased more slowly than overall inflation.

Four of the ten least expensive states for energy are in the South. Virginians pay the most for energy during the summer among all Southern States. But despite having the second lowest energy bills in the Southeast, some Mississippians will likely struggle to keep cool this summer.

Though energy costs are low compared to most states, paying to stay cool will be difficult for many. In 2022 , 11.5% of the U.S. population lived in poverty. In Mississippi, 19.1% of residents live in poverty, the highest rate nationally. In the capital city, the poverty rate is 25.9%. At $52,985 , the Magnolia State’s median household income is the country’s lowest.

Visit energysavers.gov for ways to lower your energy bill. To calculate the differences in fuel consumption among different vehicles, click here .

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