According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for gasoline, unleaded premium were 156.19% higher in 2021 versus 1981 (a $31.24 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2021: Gasoline, unleaded premium experienced an average inflation rate of 2.38% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded premium costing $20 in the year 1981 would cost $51.24 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded premium was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Gasoline, unleaded premium:
| Year | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| CPI | 105.080 | 101.317 | 99.608 | 99.069 | 100.085 | 81.431 | 83.162 | 84.585 | 91.662 | 103.654 | 102.115 | 101.869 | 100.931 | 101.285 | 102.177 | 107.100 | 106.838 | 94.162 | 101.831 | 127.723 | 123.438 | 116.269 | 133.815 | 156.377 | 188.731 | 212.062 | 228.966 | 266.547 | 197.659 | 231.780 | 289.460 | 299.617 | 293.859 | 284.886 | 219.014 | 199.810 | 223.312 | 252.125 | 247.540 | 215.465 | 269.205 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded premium, over time, for $20 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $20.00 | - |
| 1982 | $19.28 | -3.58% |
| 1983 | $18.96 | -1.69% |
| 1984 | $18.86 | -0.54% |
| 1985 | $19.05 | 1.02% |
| 1986 | $15.50 | -18.64% |
| 1987 | $15.83 | 2.13% |
| 1988 | $16.10 | 1.71% |
| 1989 | $17.45 | 8.37% |
| 1990 | $19.73 | 13.08% |
| 1991 | $19.44 | -1.48% |
| 1992 | $19.39 | -0.24% |
| 1993 | $19.21 | -0.92% |
| 1994 | $19.28 | 0.35% |
| 1995 | $19.45 | 0.88% |
| 1996 | $20.38 | 4.82% |
| 1997 | $20.33 | -0.24% |
| 1998 | $17.92 | -11.87% |
| 1999 | $19.38 | 8.14% |
| 2000 | $24.31 | 25.43% |
| 2001 | $23.49 | -3.35% |
| 2002 | $22.13 | -5.81% |
| 2003 | $25.47 | 15.09% |
| 2004 | $29.76 | 16.86% |
| 2005 | $35.92 | 20.69% |
| 2006 | $40.36 | 12.36% |
| 2007 | $43.58 | 7.97% |
| 2008 | $50.73 | 16.41% |
| 2009 | $37.62 | -25.84% |
| 2010 | $44.11 | 17.26% |
| 2011 | $55.09 | 24.89% |
| 2012 | $57.03 | 3.51% |
| 2013 | $55.93 | -1.92% |
| 2014 | $54.22 | -3.05% |
| 2015 | $41.69 | -23.12% |
| 2016 | $38.03 | -8.77% |
| 2017 | $42.50 | 11.76% |
| 2018 | $47.99 | 12.90% |
| 2019 | $47.11 | -1.82% |
| 2020 | $41.01 | -12.96% |
| 2021 | $51.24 | 24.94%* |