of American Households Reduced or Skipped Basic Expenses To Pay Energy Bill

By Matt Dougherty

Inflation is making life unaffordable, and many Americans are having to choose between paying their utility bill and buying necessities.

A recent survey by LendingTree found that 38% of households in New York have decided not to purchase basic necessities like food and medicine in the past 12 months just so they will have enough money to pay an energy bill.

LendingTree analyzed data from the

U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey to determine the percentage of consumers sacrificing necessities like food and medicine to pay for their energy costs. For example, 37.6% of households in New York say they reduced or skipped necessities like food and medicine in order to afford their energy bill.

In addition, 28.4% of households in New York were unable to pay at least part of one energy bill in the past 12 months. Overall, 33.9% of U.S. households say they reduced or skipped basic expenses, such as medicine or food, to be able to afford their energy bill in the past 12 months.

According to the report, Black households are most likely to be unable to pay at least part of their energy bill. This is cited by 40.0% of Black households, versus 35.9% of Latino households, 17.7% of white households, and 12.1% of Asian households.

Additionally, 20.8% of households kept their home at a temperature that felt unsafe or unhealthy due to the high cost of utilities.

As a result of inflation caused by supply chain issues and foreign conflict, electricity prices have increased by 16.0% per kilowatt-hour in the past 12 months. The report highlights that Americans in certain parts of the country are struggling to afford utility bills more than others.

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Question Of The Week

Have you had trouble paying a utility bill in the last 12 months?

38.5% Yes.

61.5% No

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