Mass. utility bills: 3 big reasons behind rising costs this year

As winter temperatures fluctuate, Massachusetts residents are keeping a close eye on their utility bills.

U.S. home heating costs are projected to rise 9.2% this winter, which is more than three times the rate of inflation, driven by higher utility costs and colder-than-average weather, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

According to a June 2025 Boston Globe article, Massachusetts residents are also concerned about data centers, which are specialized buildings used to store, process and manage digital data, coming to the state and using high amounts of electricity.

“I have major concerns about data centers,” Massachusetts program director for the advocacy group the Acadia Center Kyle Murray told the Boston Globe, adding, “they just end up driving up costs for everyone else — they get a favorable rate, and then average citizens end up paying more.”

According to Data Center Map, Massachusetts only has 46 data centers. This is a small number in comparison to other states like Virginia which has 568 or Texas which built 392.

To read the full article from MassLive, click here.