According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for gasoline, unleaded premium were 148.40% higher in 2019 versus 1983 (a $29.68 difference in value).
Between 1983 and 2019: Gasoline, unleaded premium experienced an average inflation rate of 2.56% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded premium costing $20 in the year 1983 would cost $49.68 in 2019 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.65% 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 | 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 |
| CPI | 99.600 | 99.083 | 100.075 | 81.500 | 83.117 | 84.558 | 91.617 | 103.575 | 102.133 | 101.883 | 101.017 | 101.283 | 102.183 | 107.083 | 106.875 | 94.183 | 101.833 | 127.725 | 123.275 | 116.217 | 134.150 | 156.483 | 188.817 | 211.658 | 229.047 | 265.691 | 198.174 | 232.179 | 289.130 | 299.485 | 293.691 | 284.388 | 218.512 | 199.711 | 223.452 | 251.977 | 247.406 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded premium, over time, for $20 beginning in 1983. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | $20.00 | - |
| 1984 | $19.90 | -0.52% |
| 1985 | $20.10 | 1.00% |
| 1986 | $16.37 | -18.56% |
| 1987 | $16.69 | 1.98% |
| 1988 | $16.98 | 1.73% |
| 1989 | $18.40 | 8.35% |
| 1990 | $20.80 | 13.05% |
| 1991 | $20.51 | -1.39% |
| 1992 | $20.46 | -0.24% |
| 1993 | $20.28 | -0.85% |
| 1994 | $20.34 | 0.26% |
| 1995 | $20.52 | 0.89% |
| 1996 | $21.50 | 4.80% |
| 1997 | $21.46 | -0.19% |
| 1998 | $18.91 | -11.88% |
| 1999 | $20.45 | 8.12% |
| 2000 | $25.65 | 25.43% |
| 2001 | $24.75 | -3.48% |
| 2002 | $23.34 | -5.73% |
| 2003 | $26.94 | 15.43% |
| 2004 | $31.42 | 16.65% |
| 2005 | $37.91 | 20.66% |
| 2006 | $42.50 | 12.10% |
| 2007 | $45.99 | 8.22% |
| 2008 | $53.35 | 16.00% |
| 2009 | $39.79 | -25.41% |
| 2010 | $46.62 | 17.16% |
| 2011 | $58.06 | 24.53% |
| 2012 | $60.14 | 3.58% |
| 2013 | $58.97 | -1.93% |
| 2014 | $57.11 | -3.17% |
| 2015 | $43.88 | -23.16% |
| 2016 | $40.10 | -8.60% |
| 2017 | $44.87 | 11.89% |
| 2018 | $50.60 | 12.77% |
| 2019 | $49.68 | -1.81%* |