Natural Gas Prices: US Utility Gas Cost per Therm, 1978–2026
The US city average price of piped utility (natural) gas was $1.700 per therm in Sep 2026, according to BLS average price data (via FRED). That is 5.4% higher than a year earlier. Since January 2018 ($1.048), it is up 62.2%. In our data, which starts Nov 1978, the highest price was $1.819 (Jan 2023) and the lowest was $0.304 (Nov 1978).
Natural Gas Prices since Nov 1978
Utility (piped) gas, US city avg. Monthly values. Weight in the Real Inflation index: 3.5%.
Last 24 months
| Month | Price | vs year before |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | $1.700 | +5.4% |
| Aug 2026 | $1.714 | +4.9% |
| Jul 2026 | $1.704 | +3.8% |
| Jun 2026 | $1.688 | +2.1% |
| May 2026 | $1.677 | +3.1% |
| Apr 2026 | $1.676 | +3.1% |
| Mar 2026 | $1.688 | +5.8% |
| Feb 2026 | $1.749 | +10.4% |
| Jan 2026 | $1.704 | +9.8% |
| Dec 2025 | $1.701 | +11.8% |
| Nov 2025 | $1.639 | +10.2% |
| Oct 2025 | no data | |
| Sep 2025 | $1.613 | +15.3% |
| Aug 2025 | $1.634 | +16.6% |
| Jul 2025 | $1.642 | +16.6% |
| Jun 2025 | $1.653 | +17.5% |
| May 2025 | $1.626 | +18.8% |
| Apr 2025 | $1.626 | +18.3% |
| Mar 2025 | $1.596 | +11.7% |
| Feb 2025 | $1.584 | +8.1% |
| Jan 2025 | $1.552 | +6.9% |
| Dec 2024 | $1.522 | +6.5% |
| Nov 2024 | $1.487 | +3.1% |
| Oct 2024 | $1.422 | +2.4% |
| Sep 2024 | $1.399 | +1.6% |
Yearly averages since 2000
| Year | Average | Lowest month | Highest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (9 months) | $1.700 | $1.676 | $1.749 |
| 2025 (11 months) | $1.624 | $1.552 | $1.701 |
| 2024 | $1.428 | $1.369 | $1.522 |
| 2023 | $1.460 | $1.371 | $1.819 |
| 2022 | $1.580 | $1.409 | $1.739 |
| 2021 | $1.247 | $1.119 | $1.402 |
| 2020 | $1.055 | $1.027 | $1.114 |
| 2019 | $1.044 | $1.019 | $1.082 |
| 2018 | $1.047 | $1.020 | $1.085 |
| 2017 | $1.020 | $0.989 | $1.042 |
| 2016 | $0.921 | $0.877 | $0.972 |
| 2015 | $0.945 | $0.892 | $1.036 |
| 2014 | $1.079 | $1.033 | $1.154 |
| 2013 | $1.009 | $0.994 | $1.038 |
| 2012 | $0.966 | $0.907 | $1.021 |
| 2011 | $1.069 | $1.034 | $1.095 |
| 2010 | $1.099 | $1.059 | $1.161 |
| 2009 | $1.121 | $1.028 | $1.321 |
| 2008 | $1.444 | $1.278 | $1.703 |
| 2007 | $1.265 | $1.207 | $1.299 |
| 2006 | $1.281 | $1.148 | $1.531 |
| 2005 | $1.252 | $1.096 | $1.548 |
| 2004 | $1.049 | $0.992 | $1.154 |
| 2003 | $0.968 | $0.881 | $1.028 |
| 2002 | $0.785 | $0.755 | $0.847 |
| 2001 | $0.938 | $0.763 | $1.150 |
| 2000 | $0.803 | $0.712 | $0.977 |
Source
FRED series APU000072620
BLS data series APU000072620
BLS Average Price Data
Download the full history (CSV, item_id
APU000072620)Notes and caveats
- BLS average prices are US city averages collected for the CPI. They describe a typical item, not one brand or store. BLS notes that average prices are best used to compare price levels in a given month; for price change over time, the CPI index for the item category is more appropriate.
- Missing months since 2000 (the source published no value): Oct 2025. The chart and tables leave these months blank.
FAQ
How much is a therm of natural gas now?
The US city average price of piped utility (natural) gas was $1.700 per therm in Sep 2026 (+5.4% vs a year earlier). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) average price data, via FRED.
How much was a therm of natural gas in 2018?
In January 2018 the US city average price of piped utility (natural) gas was $1.048 per therm. Since then it has changed +62.2%.
When was a therm of natural gas most expensive?
In our data (starting Nov 1978), the highest price was $1.819 (Jan 2023). The lowest was $0.304 (Nov 1978).
How often is this page updated?
The source publishes monthly. We refresh every week, so the page updates soon after each new month is released.