According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for fuel oil and other fuels are 3,852.81% higher in 2022 versus 1949 (a $230.01 difference in value).
The current national average price is $5.97 for "Fuel oil #2 per gallon (3.785 liters)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1949 and 2022: Fuel oil and other fuels experienced an average inflation rate of 5.17% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, fuel oil and other fuels costing $5.97 in the year 1949 would cost $235.98 in 2022 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for fuel oil and other fuels was higher.
In the year 1949: Pricing changed by 2.24%, which is below the average yearly change for fuel oil and other fuels during the 1949-2022 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1949 (-0.99%), inflation for fuel oil and other fuels was much higher.
The average price for Fuel oil and other fuels is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Fuel oil #2 per gallon (3.785 liters):
| Year | Average price (Fuel oil and other fuels) | Inflation adjusted price (2022 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $5.97 (latest available value) | $5.97 |
| 2021 | $3.01 | $4.27 |
| 2020 | $2.29 | $4.14 |
| 2019 | $2.98 | $4.57 |
| 2018 | $3.09 | $4.53 |
| 2017 | $2.45 | $4.13 |
| 2016 | $2.11 | $4.01 |
| 2015 | $2.60 | $4.36 |
| 2014 | $3.71 | $4.70 |
| 2013 | $3.72 | $4.81 |
| 2012 | $3.75 | $4.80 |
| 2011 | $3.71 | $4.73 |
| 2010 | $2.93 | $4.57 |
| 2009 | $2.51 | $4.51 |
| 2008 | $3.75 | $4.82 |
| 2007 | $2.68 | $4.58 |
| 2006 | $2.50 | $4.56 |
| 2005 | $2.22 | $4.57 |
| 2004 | $1.65 | $4.40 |
| 2003 | $1.40 | $4.31 |
| 2002 | $1.16 | $4.32 |
| 2001 | $1.31 | $4.35 |
| 2000 | $1.36 | $4.51 |
| 1999 | $0.90 | $4.23 |
| 1998 | $0.88 | $4.20 |
| 1997 | $1.01 | $4.37 |
| 1996 | $1.02 | $4.42 |
| 1995 | $0.89 | $4.36 |
| 1994 | $0.92 | $4.43 |
| 1993 | $0.94 | $4.49 |
| 1992 | $0.96 | $4.55 |
| 1991 | $1.02 | $4.62 |
| 1990 | $1.09 | $4.71 |
| 1989 | $0.89 | $4.67 |
| 1988 | $0.85 | $4.66 |
| 1987 | $0.85 | $4.70 |
| 1986 | $0.83 | $4.62 |
| 1985 | $1.08 | $4.83 |
| 1984 | $1.12 | $4.84 |
| 1983 | $1.10 | $4.87 |
| 1982 | $1.21 | $5.02 |
| 1981 | $1.25 | $5.12 |
| 1980 | $1.01 | $5.04 |
| 1979 | $0.73 | $5.01 |
| 1978 | $0.54 | $5.01 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Fuel oil and other fuels, over time, for $5.97 beginning in 1949. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | $5.97 | 2.24% |
| 1950 | $6.18 | 3.47% |
| 1951 | $6.51 | 5.34% |
| 1952 | $6.65 | 2.14% |
| 1953 | $6.93 | 4.32% |
| 1954 | $6.90 | -0.43% |
| 1955 | $6.99 | 1.29% |
| 1956 | $7.31 | 4.53% |
| 1957 | $7.68 | 5.09% |
| 1958 | $7.55 | -1.76% |
| 1959 | $7.63 | 1.06% |
| 1960 | $7.59 | -0.50% |
| 1961 | $7.74 | 2.06% |
| 1962 | $7.78 | 0.49% |
| 1963 | $7.92 | 1.79% |
| 1964 | $7.89 | -0.37% |
| 1965 | $8.05 | 1.98% |
| 1966 | $8.24 | 2.36% |
| 1967 | $8.50 | 3.18% |
| 1968 | $8.78 | 3.28% |
| 1969 | $8.97 | 2.17% |
| 1970 | $9.36 | 4.33% |
| 1971 | $9.99 | 6.77% |
| 1972 | $10.08 | 0.89% |
| 1973 | $11.58 | 14.84% |
| 1974 | $18.25 | 57.66% |
| 1975 | $20.01 | 9.61% |
| 1976 | $21.32 | 6.57% |
| 1977 | $24.11 | 13.08% |
| 1978 | $25.37 | 5.22% |
| 1979 | $34.28 | 35.14% |
| 1980 | $47.28 | 37.92% |
| 1981 | $57.48 | 21.56% |
| 1982 | $56.80 | -1.18% |
| 1983 | $53.40 | -5.99% |
| 1984 | $54.58 | 2.20% |
| 1985 | $52.68 | -3.47% |
| 1986 | $42.64 | -19.06% |
| 1987 | $42.77 | 0.32% |
| 1988 | $42.89 | 0.27% |
| 1989 | $44.86 | 4.60% |
| 1990 | $54.52 | 21.52% |
| 1991 | $51.98 | -4.65% |
| 1992 | $49.82 | -4.15% |
| 1993 | $49.59 | -0.46% |
| 1994 | $48.77 | -1.67% |
| 1995 | $48.39 | -0.78% |
| 1996 | $54.47 | 12.58% |
| 1997 | $54.84 | 0.67% |
| 1998 | $49.42 | -9.87% |
| 1999 | $50.21 | 1.58% |
| 2000 | $71.22 | 41.86% |
| 2001 | $71.01 | -0.30% |
| 2002 | $63.43 | -10.67% |
| 2003 | $76.62 | 20.79% |
| 2004 | $88.15 | 15.05% |
| 2005 | $114.55 | 29.95% |
| 2006 | $129.00 | 12.61% |
| 2007 | $138.11 | 7.06% |
| 2008 | $183.67 | 32.99% |
| 2009 | $131.70 | -28.30% |
| 2010 | $151.12 | 14.74% |
| 2011 | $185.17 | 22.53% |
| 2012 | $184.50 | -0.36% |
| 2013 | $182.37 | -1.16% |
| 2014 | $186.16 | 2.08% |
| 2015 | $140.71 | -24.42% |
| 2016 | $124.29 | -11.67% |
| 2017 | $139.75 | 12.43% |
| 2018 | $160.93 | 15.16% |
| 2019 | $154.23 | -4.17% |
| 2020 | $130.52 | -15.37% |
| 2021 | $166.23 | 27.36% |
| 2022 | $235.98 | 41.96%* |
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Fuel oil and other fuels:
| Year | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 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 | 2022 |
| CPI | 5.675 | 5.783 | 5.920 | 5.860 | 5.740 | 5.940 | 6.277 | 6.654 | 7.000 | 7.300 | 7.438 | 7.908 | 9.038 | 10.631 | 10.869 | 11.246 | 11.846 | 12.100 | 12.623 | 12.569 | 12.731 | 13.308 | 13.985 | 13.738 | 13.885 | 13.815 | 14.100 | 14.169 | 14.423 | 14.369 | 14.654 | 15.000 | 15.477 | 15.985 | 16.331 | 17.038 | 18.192 | 18.354 | 21.077 | 33.231 | 36.423 | 38.815 | 43.892 | 46.185 | 62.415 | 86.085 | 104.646 | 103.415 | 97.223 | 99.362 | 95.915 | 77.631 | 77.877 | 78.085 | 81.677 | 99.254 | 94.638 | 90.708 | 90.292 | 88.785 | 88.092 | 99.177 | 99.838 | 89.985 | 91.408 | 129.669 | 129.285 | 115.485 | 139.492 | 160.492 | 208.554 | 234.862 | 251.453 | 334.405 | 239.778 | 275.132 | 337.123 | 335.908 | 332.022 | 338.935 | 256.179 | 226.294 | 254.428 | 292.999 | 280.791 | 237.633 | 302.642 | 429.640 |