US households have paid US$56.4 billion more for petrol since Iran war began, says JEC Minority
USA: Since the United States entered the war with Iran on Feb 28, American households have collectively paid US$56.4 billion (S$72.8 billion) more in gasoline costs, according to new data released by the Joint Economic Committee Minority, with the average household spending US$477 more on gas as national prices sit roughly 30% higher than before the conflict began.
The national average gas price stood at US$3.87 per gallon at the time of the data release, up from pre-war levels, according to AAA figures cited in the report. The data were compiled using daily average gas prices from AAA through July 12, daily state-by-state gasoline consumption data from the Federal Highway Administration, and national gasoline demand data from the Energy Information Administration.
The cost by state
The financial impact varies significantly across states, with larger and more car-dependent states bearing the heaviest total burden. Texas recorded the largest increase in total gasoline spending at US$5.74 billion, followed by California at US$5.45 billion, Florida at US$3.89 billion, and New York at US$2.22 billion.
On a per-household basis, the states hit hardest include Utah at US$650 more per household, Alabama at US$686, Mississippi at US$639, Wyoming at US$624, and Virginia at US$573. States with higher urban density and greater access to public transport, such as Oregon (US$346), Washington (US$342), and the District of Columbia (US$215), saw lower per-household increases, likely reflecting the outsized impact on car-dependent communities.
The national average of US$477 per household since Feb 28 represents a significant and ongoing cost increase for families already managing the cumulative pressure of broader inflation.
The data was released by the Democratic minority on the Joint Economic Committee, timed to coincide with President Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire with Iran had resumed hostilities.
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Senator Maggie Hassan, Ranking Member of the Committee, said the figures illustrated the direct financial consequences of the war for ordinary Americans. “As President Trump declares that he’s ended his ceasefire with Iran, gas costs have already started rising again, at a time when Americans continue to face the squeeze of higher costs overall from Trump’s war, tariffs, and other actions. Yet President Trump says he doesn’t even think about the financial situation of Americans,” she said.