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Moody's Analytics estimates war costs near $2,000 per US household

Associated Press reports Mark Zandi estimates the war cost the average U.S. household almost $2,000, while gasoline and diesel prices sit sharply above prewar levels.

Updated Oct 20, 2026 · 14:17 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Associated Press reports that Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi estimates the war has cost the average U.S. household almost $2,000.[Associated Press]
  • Gasoline averaged $4.33 a gallon on a recent Friday, 45% above prewar levels, and diesel was up 68%, according to AAA.[Associated Press]
  • Airfares were about 22% higher in September than a year earlier, and United Airlines pulled some December flights.[Associated Press]
  • Transportation and warehousing costs for business inputs rose 10.2% from a year earlier, according to September producer-price data.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics estimated the war has cost the average U.S. household almost $2,000, including $1,100 in energy, $540 in interest rates, and $360 in military costs.[Associated Press]
  • Zandi said the energy portion of household costs is growing by $50 a week at current fuel prices.[Associated Press]
  • AAA reported gasoline averaged $4.33 a gallon on a recent Friday, 45% above prewar levels, and diesel averaged $6.33, up 68%.[Associated Press]
  • Airfares were about 22% higher in September than a year earlier, according to the consumer price index.[Associated Press]
  • United Airlines pulled some December flights and warned of possible further cuts in 2027.[Associated Press]
  • The USDA now expects a 2.4% increase in grocery prices this year.[Associated Press]
  • September producer-price data showed transportation and warehousing costs for business inputs were 10.2% higher than a year earlier.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The almost-$2,000 household cost figure is an economist's estimate attributed to Mark Zandi, not a measured government total.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.