Subaru Forester Hybrid vs gas: fuel cost and break-even
At US-average prices the hybrid (35 MPG combined) saves about $413 a year over the gas version (28 MPG) at 13,500 miles a year. The hybrid costs about $1,400 more (same trim and drive, e.g. PREMIUM AWD), so it pays for itself in about 3.4 years.
Gas · 28 MPG
$2,065
per year, US average
Hybrid · 35 MPG
$1,652
per year, US average
Hybrid saves
$413
per year
Pays back in
3.4 years
for a $1,400 higher price
Work out your own break-even with your state, miles and the actual price difference
Yearly savings by state
| Your state | Gas, $/gal | Hybrid saves / year | Pays back in |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $6.03 | $582 | 2.4 yr |
| Hawaii | $5.61* | $540 | 2.6 yr |
| Alaska | $5.60* | $540 | 2.6 yr |
| Washington | $5.33 | $514 | 2.7 yr |
| Oregon | $4.81* | $464 | 3.0 yr |
| Nevada | $4.69* | $452 | 3.1 yr |
| Idaho | $4.60* | $443 | 3.2 yr |
| Montana | $4.58* | $441 | 3.2 yr |
| Utah | $4.58* | $441 | 3.2 yr |
| District of Columbia | $4.53* | $437 | 3.2 yr |
| Arizona | $4.51* | $435 | 3.2 yr |
| Pennsylvania | $4.42* | $426 | 3.3 yr |
| North Dakota | $4.35* | $420 | 3.3 yr |
| Maryland | $4.33* | $417 | 3.4 yr |
| New York | $4.31 | $416 | 3.4 yr |
| Wisconsin | $4.31* | $415 | 3.4 yr |
| Delaware | $4.31* | $415 | 3.4 yr |
| Connecticut | $4.29* | $414 | 3.4 yr |
| Vermont | $4.29* | $414 | 3.4 yr |
| Wyoming | $4.29* | $413 | 3.4 yr |
| Colorado | $4.27 | $412 | 3.4 yr |
| Maine | $4.27* | $411 | 3.4 yr |
| Rhode Island | $4.26* | $410 | 3.4 yr |
| South Dakota | $4.25* | $409 | 3.4 yr |
| Nebraska | $4.22* | $406 | 3.4 yr |
| Massachusetts | $4.20 | $405 | 3.5 yr |
| Minnesota | $4.18 | $403 | 3.5 yr |
| Illinois | $4.17* | $402 | 3.5 yr |
| Kentucky | $4.17* | $402 | 3.5 yr |
| New Jersey | $4.17* | $402 | 3.5 yr |
| West Virginia | $4.15* | $400 | 3.5 yr |
| New Hampshire | $4.14* | $400 | 3.5 yr |
| Iowa | $4.10* | $395 | 3.5 yr |
| Michigan | $4.08* | $393 | 3.6 yr |
| Kansas | $4.07* | $393 | 3.6 yr |
| Ohio | $4.05 | $390 | 3.6 yr |
| Tennessee | $4.05* | $390 | 3.6 yr |
| Indiana | $4.03* | $389 | 3.6 yr |
| Oklahoma | $3.99* | $385 | 3.6 yr |
| Florida | $3.98 | $384 | 3.6 yr |
| Missouri | $3.98* | $384 | 3.6 yr |
| North Carolina | $3.95* | $381 | 3.7 yr |
| New Mexico | $3.91* | $377 | 3.7 yr |
| Virginia | $3.84* | $370 | 3.8 yr |
| Arkansas | $3.79* | $365 | 3.8 yr |
| Louisiana | $3.77* | $363 | 3.9 yr |
| Mississippi | $3.76* | $362 | 3.9 yr |
| Alabama | $3.75* | $361 | 3.9 yr |
| South Carolina | $3.72* | $359 | 3.9 yr |
| Texas | $3.70 | $357 | 3.9 yr |
| Georgia | $3.67* | $354 | 4.0 yr |
* estimated: EIA publishes weekly prices for 9 states; for the others we adjust the regional weekly price by how the state compared with its region in EIA’s latest annual data. Gas prices: EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026. Electricity: EIA, August 2026.