According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for gasoline, unleaded regular were 334.12% higher in 2021 versus 1976 (a $66.82 difference in value).
Between 1976 and 2021: Gasoline, unleaded regular experienced an average inflation rate of 3.32% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded regular costing $20 in the year 1976 would cost $86.82 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.45% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded regular was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Gasoline, unleaded regular:
| Year | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 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 | 46.623 | 49.823 | 52.254 | 70.492 | 97.446 | 108.569 | 102.738 | 99.423 | 97.808 | 98.808 | 76.392 | 79.246 | 79.554 | 86.538 | 98.923 | 97.238 | 96.808 | 95.200 | 95.769 | 97.515 | 103.869 | 103.792 | 89.154 | 97.969 | 127.262 | 122.608 | 114.362 | 133.954 | 158.869 | 194.369 | 219.985 | 238.151 | 277.607 | 200.479 | 237.888 | 301.650 | 311.274 | 301.569 | 289.398 | 208.711 | 183.571 | 207.579 | 236.040 | 226.973 | 188.739 | 202.401 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded regular, over time, for $20 beginning in 1976. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | $20.00 | - |
| 1977 | $21.37 | 6.86% |
| 1978 | $22.42 | 4.88% |
| 1979 | $30.24 | 34.90% |
| 1980 | $41.80 | 38.24% |
| 1981 | $46.57 | 11.41% |
| 1982 | $44.07 | -5.37% |
| 1983 | $42.65 | -3.23% |
| 1984 | $41.96 | -1.62% |
| 1985 | $42.39 | 1.02% |
| 1986 | $32.77 | -22.69% |
| 1987 | $33.99 | 3.74% |
| 1988 | $34.13 | 0.39% |
| 1989 | $37.12 | 8.78% |
| 1990 | $42.44 | 14.31% |
| 1991 | $41.71 | -1.70% |
| 1992 | $41.53 | -0.44% |
| 1993 | $40.84 | -1.66% |
| 1994 | $41.08 | 0.60% |
| 1995 | $41.83 | 1.82% |
| 1996 | $44.56 | 6.52% |
| 1997 | $44.52 | -0.07% |
| 1998 | $38.24 | -14.10% |
| 1999 | $42.03 | 9.89% |
| 2000 | $54.59 | 29.90% |
| 2001 | $52.60 | -3.66% |
| 2002 | $49.06 | -6.73% |
| 2003 | $57.46 | 17.13% |
| 2004 | $68.15 | 18.60% |
| 2005 | $83.38 | 22.35% |
| 2006 | $94.37 | 13.18% |
| 2007 | $102.16 | 8.26% |
| 2008 | $119.09 | 16.57% |
| 2009 | $86.00 | -27.78% |
| 2010 | $102.05 | 18.66% |
| 2011 | $129.40 | 26.80% |
| 2012 | $133.53 | 3.19% |
| 2013 | $129.36 | -3.12% |
| 2014 | $124.14 | -4.04% |
| 2015 | $89.53 | -27.88% |
| 2016 | $78.75 | -12.05% |
| 2017 | $89.05 | 13.08% |
| 2018 | $101.25 | 13.71% |
| 2019 | $97.37 | -3.84% |
| 2020 | $80.96 | -16.85% |
| 2021 | $86.82 | 7.24%* |