According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for gasoline, unleaded regular were 304.98% higher in 2020 versus 1976 (a $61 difference in value).
Between 1976 and 2020: Gasoline, unleaded regular experienced an average inflation rate of 3.23% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded regular costing $20 in the year 1976 would cost $81 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.50% 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 |
| CPI | 46.633 | 49.850 | 52.308 | 70.450 | 97.417 | 108.558 | 102.758 | 99.408 | 97.842 | 98.775 | 76.500 | 79.225 | 79.525 | 86.475 | 98.800 | 97.300 | 96.817 | 95.325 | 95.792 | 97.508 | 103.825 | 103.850 | 89.158 | 97.967 | 127.225 | 122.400 | 114.300 | 134.358 | 158.975 | 194.533 | 219.533 | 238.228 | 276.533 | 201.110 | 238.424 | 301.243 | 311.103 | 301.362 | 288.766 | 208.133 | 183.460 | 207.938 | 235.904 | 226.836 | 188.857 |
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 | $21.38 | 6.90% |
| 1978 | $22.43 | 4.93% |
| 1979 | $30.21 | 34.68% |
| 1980 | $41.78 | 38.28% |
| 1981 | $46.56 | 11.44% |
| 1982 | $44.07 | -5.34% |
| 1983 | $42.63 | -3.26% |
| 1984 | $41.96 | -1.58% |
| 1985 | $42.36 | 0.95% |
| 1986 | $32.81 | -22.55% |
| 1987 | $33.98 | 3.56% |
| 1988 | $34.11 | 0.38% |
| 1989 | $37.09 | 8.74% |
| 1990 | $42.37 | 14.25% |
| 1991 | $41.73 | -1.52% |
| 1992 | $41.52 | -0.50% |
| 1993 | $40.88 | -1.54% |
| 1994 | $41.08 | 0.49% |
| 1995 | $41.82 | 1.79% |
| 1996 | $44.53 | 6.48% |
| 1997 | $44.54 | 0.02% |
| 1998 | $38.24 | -14.15% |
| 1999 | $42.02 | 9.88% |
| 2000 | $54.56 | 29.87% |
| 2001 | $52.49 | -3.79% |
| 2002 | $49.02 | -6.62% |
| 2003 | $57.62 | 17.55% |
| 2004 | $68.18 | 18.32% |
| 2005 | $83.43 | 22.37% |
| 2006 | $94.15 | 12.85% |
| 2007 | $102.17 | 8.52% |
| 2008 | $118.60 | 16.08% |
| 2009 | $86.25 | -27.27% |
| 2010 | $102.25 | 18.55% |
| 2011 | $129.20 | 26.35% |
| 2012 | $133.43 | 3.27% |
| 2013 | $129.25 | -3.13% |
| 2014 | $123.85 | -4.18% |
| 2015 | $89.26 | -27.92% |
| 2016 | $78.68 | -11.85% |
| 2017 | $89.18 | 13.34% |
| 2018 | $101.17 | 13.45% |
| 2019 | $97.28 | -3.84% |
| 2020 | $81.00 | -16.74%* |