Fuel oil and other fuels prices are 429.75% higher in 2026 versus 1989 (a $3.82 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $5.15 in August 2026 for Fuel oil #2 per gallon (3.785 liters). See observed price history.
Between 1989 and 2026, Fuel oil and other fuels experienced an average inflation rate of 4.61% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, fuel oil and other fuels costing $0.89 in the year 1989 would cost $4.71 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.70% during this same period, inflation for fuel oil and other fuels was higher.
In the year 1989: Pricing changed by 4.60%, which is below the average yearly change for fuel oil and other fuels during the 1989-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1989 (4.83%), inflation for fuel oil and other fuels was lower.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of fuel oil and other fuels rose 480%, from $0.89 per gallon in 1989 to $5.15 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 170% over the same period, so fuel oil and other fuels rose faster than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
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. The table below shows the average U.S. price of fuel oil #2 per gallon (3.785 liters) each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per gallon) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $4.73 | $4.73 |
| 2025 | $3.62 | $3.77 |
| 2024 | $3.61 | $3.85 |
| 2023 | $3.84 | $4.22 |
| 2022 | $5.01 | $5.74 |
| 2021 | $3.01 | $3.72 |
| 2020 | $2.29 | $2.96 |
| 2019 | $2.98 | $3.91 |
| 2018 | $3.09 | $4.12 |
| 2017 | $2.45 | $3.34 |
| 2016 | $2.11 | $2.95 |
| 2015 | $2.60 | $3.68 |
| 2014 | $3.71 | $5.25 |
| 2013 | $3.72 | $5.35 |
| 2012 | $3.75 | $5.48 |
| 2011 | $3.71 | $5.53 |
| 2010 | $2.93 | $4.49 |
| 2009 | $2.51 | $3.93 |
| 2008 | $3.75 | $5.84 |
| 2007 | $2.68 | $4.33 |
| 2006 | $2.50 | $4.15 |
| 2005 | $2.22 | $3.81 |
| 2004 | $1.65 | $2.92 |
| 2003 | $1.40 | $2.55 |
| 2002 | $1.16 | $2.16 |
| 2001 | $1.31 | $2.48 |
| 2000 | $1.36 | $2.65 |
| 1999 | $0.90 | $1.81 |
| 1998 | $0.88 | $1.81 |
| 1997 | $1.01 | $2.12 |
| 1996 | $1.02 | $2.18 |
| 1995 | $0.89 | $1.96 |
| 1994 | $0.92 | $2.07 |
| 1993 | $0.94 | $2.19 |
| 1992 | $0.96 | $2.29 |
| 1991 | $1.02 | $2.50 |
| 1990 | $1.09 | $2.79 |
| 1989 | $0.89 | $2.40 |
| 1988 | $0.85 | $2.40 |
| 1987 | $0.85 | $2.51 |
| 1986 | $0.83 | $2.55 |
| 1985 | $1.08 | $3.36 |
| 1984 | $1.12 | $3.61 |
| 1983 | $1.10 | $3.70 |
| 1982 | $1.21 | $4.20 |
| 1981 | $1.25 | $4.59 |
| 1980 | $1.01 | $4.10 |
| 1979 | $0.73 | $3.36 |
| 1978 | $0.54 | $2.77 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Fuel oil and other fuels, over time, for $0.89 beginning in 1989. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | $0.89 | 4.60% |
| 1990 | $1.08 | 21.52% |
| 1991 | $1.03 | -4.64% |
| 1992 | $0.99 | -4.16% |
| 1993 | $0.98 | -0.46% |
| 1994 | $0.97 | -1.67% |
| 1995 | $0.96 | -0.78% |
| 1996 | $1.08 | 12.58% |
| 1997 | $1.09 | 0.67% |
| 1998 | $0.98 | -9.87% |
| 1999 | $1.00 | 1.58% |
| 2000 | $1.41 | 41.85% |
| 2001 | $1.41 | -0.30% |
| 2002 | $1.26 | -10.67% |
| 2003 | $1.52 | 20.79% |
| 2004 | $1.75 | 15.05% |
| 2005 | $2.27 | 29.94% |
| 2006 | $2.56 | 12.61% |
| 2007 | $2.74 | 7.07% |
| 2008 | $3.64 | 32.99% |
| 2009 | $2.61 | -28.30% |
| 2010 | $3.00 | 14.74% |
| 2011 | $3.67 | 22.53% |
| 2012 | $3.66 | -0.36% |
| 2013 | $3.62 | -1.16% |
| 2014 | $3.69 | 2.08% |
| 2015 | $2.79 | -24.42% |
| 2016 | $2.47 | -11.67% |
| 2017 | $2.77 | 12.43% |
| 2018 | $3.19 | 15.16% |
| 2019 | $3.06 | -4.17% |
| 2020 | $2.59 | -15.37% |
| 2021 | $3.30 | 27.36% |
| 2022 | $4.88 | 47.98% |
| 2023 | $4.23 | -13.36% |
| 2024 | $4.00 | -5.41% |
| 2025 | $3.93 | -1.68% |
| 2026 | $4.71 | 19.90%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
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 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 5.690 | 5.775 | 5.908 | 5.867 | 5.750 | 5.917 | 6.275 | 6.650 | 7.000 | 7.300 | 7.442 | 7.908 | 9.042 | 10.633 | 10.867 | 11.242 | 11.850 | 12.100 | 12.625 | 12.567 | 12.733 | 13.308 | 13.983 | 13.742 | 13.883 | 13.817 | 14.100 | 14.167 | 14.425 | 14.367 | 14.658 | 15.000 | 15.475 | 15.983 | 16.333 | 17.042 | 18.192 | 18.358 | 21.075 | 33.233 | 36.425 | 38.817 | 43.892 | 46.183 | 62.417 | 86.083 | 104.650 | 103.417 | 97.225 | 99.358 | 95.917 | 77.633 | 77.875 | 78.083 | 81.675 | 99.250 | 94.642 | 90.708 | 90.292 | 88.783 | 88.092 | 99.175 | 99.842 | 89.983 | 91.408 | 129.667 | 129.283 | 115.483 | 139.492 | 160.492 | 208.550 | 234.858 | 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 | 447.860 | 388.029 | 367.034 | 360.875 | 432.673 |