While America finally got some good news in early June when the May jobs report shocked many economists with a surprisingly sunny picture, the fact remains that a great number of Americans were thrust into unemployment this year — suddenly and with little opportunity to prepare. For many, their chosen profession was revealed to be dependent on the sort of in-person work that suddenly became untenable as the virus spread. All of this has brought the benefits of remote work to the top of many people’s minds, and some are now undoubtedly considering a career where that’s possible.
However, working from home is more viable of an option in some states than others. With utilities like electricity and internet shifting to you instead of the office, the cost of those basics can have a big impact on your budget. And if you live in a state where they cost more, your work-from-home prospects suddenly become a little bit less attractive.
But which states are going to squeeze you with bills, and which ones could be your work-from-home paradise? That’s what this GOBankingRates study lays out, drawing on the average costs of gas, electricity, and internet to determine which states are among the least expensive for remote workers and which make it that much harder. So, take a closer look and see if your state is helping or hurting you when it comes to working from home.
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1. Least Expensive States To Work From Home
These states offer the best combination of low-cost internet, electricity and gas, making them the more cost-effective areas to operate your home office.
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2. Texas
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,175.52 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $142.12
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 3.70 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $34.78
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3. Michigan
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 670.62 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $107.63
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 7.00 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $53.70
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4. Indiana
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,006.24 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $122.66
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 7.00 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $53.21
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5. Virginia
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,164.74 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $142.91
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $50.13
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6. Montana
- Average monthly internet bill: $45
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 850.09 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $96.23
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $31.75
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7. Wyoming
- Average monthly internet bill: $45
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 840.70 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $90.04
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $35.89
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8. Tennessee
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,282.87 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $138.68
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.06 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $31.57
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9. Arizona
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,028.49 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $125.06
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $57.18
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10. Arkansas
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,155.99 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $117.10
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 3.70 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $39.56
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11. Illinois
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 744.01 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $97.99
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 7.00 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $49.01
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12. Ohio
- Average monthly internet bill: $25
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 913.95 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $107.66
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 7.00 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $54.96
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13. Minnesota
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 786.30 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $101.04
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $40.37
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14. Nevada
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 946.90 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $114.76
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $49.28
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15. Kansas
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 933.83 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $118.41
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $47.85
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16. North Dakota
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,118.06 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $111.81
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $32.65
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17. Oregon
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 901.33 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $98.70
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 2.80 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $27.52
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18. Missouri
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,117.99 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $111.69
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $51.94
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19. Louisiana
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,281.56 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $116.37
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 3.70 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $40.48
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20. Washington
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 957.11 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $91.88
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 2.80 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $28.76
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21. Colorado
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 690.70 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $83.16
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $30.88
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22. Idaho
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 944.50 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $91.05
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $31.51
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23. Utah
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 741.91 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $75.38
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $40.32
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24. Nebraska
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,020.91 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $107.71
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $37.31
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25. New Mexico
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 639.29 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $79.72
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.82 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $26.98
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26. Oklahoma
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,138.67 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $112.05
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 3.70 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $25.37
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27. Most Expensive States To Work From Home
While working from home is better than not working at all, it is going to cost you more if you’re doing it in one of these states.
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28. Kentucky
- Average monthly internet bill: $35
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,166.24 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $125.49
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.06 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $43.30
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29. Delaware
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 977.03 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $126.53
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $49.22
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30. Wisconsin
- Average monthly internet bill: $40
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 692.57 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $102.02
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 7.00 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $49.29
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31. Mississippi
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,247.18 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $143.92
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.06 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $45.49
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32. Pennsylvania
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 864.13 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $118.82
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 6.01 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $65.62
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33. Georgia
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,142.41 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $130.24
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $58.43
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34. West Virginia
- Average monthly internet bill: $38
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,133.00 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $135.73
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $40.61
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35. New York
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 604.39 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $103.77
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 6.01 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $72.05
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36. Maryland
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,005.30 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $136.62
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $54.28
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37. South Carolina
- Average monthly internet bill: $25
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,159.01 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $148.24
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $60.51
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38. Iowa
- Average monthly internet bill: $50
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 892.43 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $110.66
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $40.19
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39. South Dakota
- Average monthly internet bill: $50
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,045.10 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $116.84
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.76 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $39.33
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40. Vermont
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 559.56 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $109.67
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $67.02
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41. New Jersey
- Average monthly internet bill: $40
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 689.70 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $111.32
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 6.01 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $54.56
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42. North Carolina
- Average monthly internet bill: $35
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,128.51 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $131.81
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $62.67
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43. California
- Average monthly internet bill: $40
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 546.31 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $111.94
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 2.80 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $38.29
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44. New Hampshire
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 621.12 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $117.83
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $73.62
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45. Florida
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,110.12 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $129.22
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.33 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $80.10
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46. Rhode Island
- Average monthly internet bill: $20
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 589.01 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $136.95
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $77.82
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47. Maine
- Average monthly internet bill: $45
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 571.95 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $94.54
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $74.07
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48. Alabama
- Average monthly internet bill: $35
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 1,236.48 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $157.90
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 4.06 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $59.12
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49. Alaska
- Average monthly internet bill: $50
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 572.38 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $127.76
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 2.80 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $30.18
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50. Massachusetts
- Average monthly internet bill: $30
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 607.13 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $138.42
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $80.17
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51. Connecticut
- Average monthly internet bill: $38
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 723.85 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $168.66
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 5.59 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $74.91
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52. Hawaii
- Average monthly internet bill: $45
- Average monthly electricity consumption: 517.78 kWh
- Average monthly electricity bill: $171.39
- Average monthly natural gas consumption: 2.80 Mcf
- Average monthly gas bill: $123.02
Methodology: To find out where workers can expect to spend the most on increased utility usage while working from home, GOBankingRates first used U.S. Energy Information Administration monthly reports to find (1) the average price of electricity (dollars/kWh) and (2) natural gas (dollars/Mcf) service for residential consumers in every state in March 2020. Then, the most recent average residential consumption data available from the EIA (2018 data by state for electricity and 2015 data by region for gas), GOBankingRates calculated the (3) average monthly bill for electricity and (4) gas service in each state. GOBankingRates sourced information on (5) the average monthly internet service bill for consumers in each state from RENTCafé. States were then scored against each other on factors 1-5 and ranked based on their cumulative score. The number of workers who worked from home in each state before the COVID-19 crisis according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey and the percent of the labor force these remote workers represented is also provided for context on where workers are already accustomed to remote work. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 3, 2020.