U.S. consumer energy expenditures, as a share of disposable income, have fallen from 10% in 1984 to 5.7% in 2024

Energy expenditures as a share of disposable income (percent)

Notes: Energy expenditures - natural gas; electricity; fuel oil & other fuels; gasoline* which includes gasoline, other fuels, and motor oil. Disposable income equals after tax income. We estimate 2024's after-tax income by multiplying the CES's 2023 implied tax rate and the CES's average income before taxes estimate for 2024. Chart created February 18, 2026.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics; API calculations.