Most & Least Energy-Efficient States (2026)

Energy is expensive. In fact, it’s one of the biggest household expenses for American consumers. The average U.S. family spends at least $2,000 per year on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, with heating and cooling of spaces alone accounting for about half the bill. In 2022, the average consumer spent another $3,120 on motor fuel and oil.

The Department of Energy estimates that adopting energy-efficient measures in the home could reduce a family’s utility costs by as much as 25 percent. It pays to conserve, especially during a time of increasingly warmer temperatures. As for transportation, the agency found that a more fuel-efficient vehicle could save the average driver about $800 per year.

We’re already making some progress with increasing energy efficiency. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects 26% of electricity generation in 2026 will come from renewables.

In order to gauge the impact of doing more with less energy, WalletHub measured the efficiency of auto- and home-energy consumption in 48 U.S. states. Due to data limitations, Alaska and Hawaii were excluded from our analysis.

“Energy efficiency doesn’t just help save the planet – it also helps save you money by lowering the amount of electricity, gas, oil or other types of energy you need to consume. While there are some steps you can take to become more energy-efficient on your own, living in the right area can give you a big boost. For example, certain states have much better public transportation systems that minimize your need to drive, at least in big cities. Some places also have better-constructed buildings that retain heat better during the winter or stay cooler during the summer.”

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Main Findings

Most & Least Energy-Efficient States

Notes: *No. 1 = Most Energy-Efficient
**Due to data limitations, Alaska and Hawaii were excluded from our analysis.
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

In-Depth Look at the Most Energy-Efficient States

Vermont

Vermont is the most energy-efficient state, in large part because it’s the most vehicle-fuel efficient in the country. Vermonters drive an average of around 21 miles per gallon of gasoline, more than any other U.S. state.

On top of that, Vermont has the seventh-lowest residential energy consumption per capita, along with the second-highest home energy efficiency. This helps people in the state save money while saving the environment.

California

California is the second-most energy-efficient state, boasting the lowest residential energy consumption per capita and the fourth-highest home energy efficiency.

In addition, California’s residents are efficient when it comes to automobiles. Californians drive fewer miles per year than people in all but four other states, an average of just 8,068 miles per year. This is due in part to the robust public transportation systems in its large cities. California also has the seventh-highest vehicle fuel efficiency.

Washington

Washington is the third-most energy-efficient state overall, ranking very well for both home and automobile efficiency. The state has the third-lowest residential energy consumption overall, and the eighth-best home energy efficiency. Residents consume relatively little energy in their homes compared to what you’d expect them to need based on the weather in the state, including its especially cold winters.

When it comes to vehicles, Washingtonians drive an average of just 7,726 miles per year, the fourth-fewest in the country. They also have the 17th-best fuel efficiency based on the amount of gas consumed per mile driven.

Ask the Experts

Environmentally conscious practices can help prevent costly damage to the planet — and one’s wallet. To help consumers and governments reduce their consumption and maximize their savings, we asked a panel of experts to weigh in. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:

1. What energy-efficient products for the home offer the best return on investment?
2. What is the biggest mistake consumers make when trying to make their homes more energy-efficient?
3. What are some tips for consumers to become more energy efficient, especially if they work from home?
4. Should the government continue to incentivize consumers and businesses to invest in energy-efficient projects?
5. What tips can you provide for building an energy-efficient home on a budget?

Ask the Experts

Mahelet G. Fikru
Professor of Energy Economics - Missouri University of Science and Technology
Read More

Erin Baker
Distinguished Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Faculty Director, Energy Transition Institute - The UMass Amherst College of Engineering
Read More

Betty Simkins & Russell Simkins
Betty Simkins, Ph.D., Regents Professor of Finance, Williams Companies Chair of Business, Department of Finance, Spears School of Business - Oklahoma State University and Russell Simkins - Retired Energy Consultant
Read More

Kenneth Hellevang
Ph.D., PE – Retired Extension Engineer, Emeritus Professor, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering - North Dakota State University
Read More

Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara
FIEEE - Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering - University of Houston
Read More

Stephanie A. Siehr
Ph.D. – Environmental and Energy Programs | University of San Francisco
Read More

More Experts

Methodology

In order to determine which states are doing more with less energy, WalletHub compared 48 states across two key dimensions, “Home Energy Efficiency” and “Auto Energy Efficiency.” We obtained the former by calculating the ratio of total residential energy consumption to annual degree days. For the latter, we divided the annual vehicle miles driven by gallons of gasoline consumed to determine vehicle-fuel efficiency and measured annual vehicle miles driven per capita to determine transportation efficiency.

Each dimension was weighted proportionally to reflect national consumption patterns and graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing optimal energy efficiency.

Finally, we calculated the total score for each state and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. Due to data limitations, we were unable to include Alaska and Hawaii in our analysis.

Home Energy Efficiency – Total Points: 50

• Home Energy Efficiency = Total Residential Energy Consumption per Capita / Annual Degree Days

Auto Energy Efficiency – Total Points: 50

• Vehicle-Fuel Efficiency = Annual Vehicle Miles Driven / Gallons of Gasoline Consumed
• Transportation Efficiency = Annual Vehicle Miles Driven per Capita

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of September 16, 2025 from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Climatic Data Center, U.S. Energy Information Administration, and U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration.

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