These states rank as the most energy-efficient in 2026, data shows
FILE - An Energy Star label is displayed on a brand new refrigerator at a Best Buy store March 26, 2010 in Marin City, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Americans spend a large chunk of change on energy every year, but implementing efficient habits could help some consumers save money.
WalletHub conducted an analysis that found which states were the most and least energy efficient, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Where did your state rank?
Map: The most and least energy efficient states
Energy costs Americans thousands every year
Dig deeper:
Utility bills average over $2,000 annually per American household and heating or cooling accounted for more than half that expense, according to WalletHub.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimated that simple energy-efficient measures in the home could cut some utility expenses by up to 25%, while switching to a fuel-efficient vehicle can save drivers over $1,000 per year.
California ranked No. 1
Dig deeper:
California ranked as the overall most energy-efficient state, leading the nation with the lowest residential energy consumption per capita and the third-best home energy efficiency.
It also performed exceptionally well in auto efficiency, supported by robust urban public transit that keeps driving mileage to an average of just 8,297 miles per year, according to WalletHub.
Vermont claimed second place overall, largely driven by its strong vehicle fuel economy — ranked second nationwide with an average of roughly 21 miles per gallon — along with top-tier home energy efficiency and low per-capita residential usage.
New York took third place overall by maintaining low per-capita home energy consumption even through harsh winter weather, while boasting the lowest annual driving miles per person in the country at just 6,088 miles.
Other top-performing states included Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, and Nevada.
The other side:
On the opposite end of the spectrum, southern states struggled most with efficiency, with South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi ranked at the very bottom.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a WalletHub analysis based on data collected as of Sept. 15, 2026, from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Climatic Data Center, U.S. Energy Information Administration, and U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration.