United States: cost of living

How much is gas in the US?

The US average retail price of regular gasoline was $4.354 a gallon in the week of 5 October 2026, down 11.1 cents on the week but $1.230 higher than a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. On-highway diesel averaged $6.199 a gallon.

EIA collects pump prices every Monday and publishes them on Tuesday, with averages for regions and some states and cities. Prices include federal and state taxes, which vary by state, so regional figures differ. California and the West Coast are usually the highest. The page gave 14 October 2026 as the next release date.

Official sources: EIA: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

What is the average price of electricity in the US?

The average price of electricity for US homes was 18.31 cents per kilowatthour in July 2026, up from 17.45 cents in July 2025, according to the Energy Information Administration Electric Power Monthly, released on 24 September 2026. Across all sectors the average was 14.99 cents.

Prices vary widely by state: in the same table Hawaii's residential price was 48.00 cents. The figures are preliminary estimates from a sample of utilities and are revised. A monthly bill depends on both price and use; EIA publishes average monthly consumption separately. The next issue is due on 23 October 2026.

Official sources: EIA: Average price of electricity by state (Table 5.6.A)

How much have food prices gone up in the US?

Food prices rose 2.7% in the 12 months to August 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, published on 11 September 2026. Food at home (groceries) rose 2.2% and food away from home rose 3.4%. All-items inflation was 3.4%, with energy up 16.3%.

The CPI measures prices paid by urban consumers. The 12-month figures are not seasonally adjusted. BLS publishes detailed indexes for items such as eggs, beef and coffee in the full release. BLS scheduled the September 2026 CPI for 14 October 2026, so check the release page for newer figures.

Official sources: BLS: Consumer Price Index Summary

What is the federal poverty line?

The 2026 federal poverty guideline is $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 for a household of four in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Each extra person adds $5,680. The guidelines are higher in Alaska ($19,950 for one person) and Hawaii.

The guidelines are used to decide eligibility for programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, often as a percentage (for example 138% of the guideline). They are different from the Census Bureau's poverty thresholds, which are used to count how many people are in poverty. HHS updates the guidelines each January in the Federal Register.

Official sources: HHS ASPE: Poverty Guidelines

What are the US federal income tax brackets?

There are seven federal income tax rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%, according to the IRS. For a single filer for tax year 2025, the 10% rate applies to taxable income up to $11,925, 22% starts at $48,476, and the top 37% rate applies above $626,350. For married couples filing jointly, the 37% rate starts at $751,601.

The rates are marginal: each rate applies only to income within its band. Brackets are adjusted for inflation each year, so check the tax year. These are federal rates on taxable income after deductions; most states and some cities levy their own income tax, and payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare are separate.

Official sources: IRS: Federal income tax rates and brackets

How many people are on food stamps in the US?

36.4 million people received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in June 2026, in 19.8 million households, according to USDA Food and Nutrition Administration data tables (data as of 11 September 2026). The average benefit was $186.53 per person a month. Average monthly participation in fiscal year 2025 was 42.1 million.

SNAP is the program formerly known as food stamps. The monthly figures for fiscal year 2026 are preliminary and may include disaster assistance, so they can be revised. The data tables page also has state-level figures and annual summaries back to 1969.

Official sources: USDA FNA: SNAP Data Tables · SNAP national level monthly data (PDF)

What is the inflation rate in the United States?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in the United States was 2.9% in 2024. The peak was 8.0% in 2022 and the low -0.4% in 2009. World rank, highest first: 89th of 172.

How much do households in the United States spend per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is $46,041. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Of 153 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What is the extreme poverty rate in the United States?

In 2024, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in the United States was 1.1%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 1.4% in 2022 and the low 0.3% in 2021.

What is income inequality in the United States?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 41.8. Since 2005 it has ranged from 39.7 (2021) to 41.9 (2019).

What is food insecurity in the United States?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in the United States was 10.7%, according to the FAO. No year since 2015 has been higher. Worldwide: 88th of 135.