In the UK gas central heating and hot water is extremely common but I've never heard of anyone using a gas dryer. Looking them up, it seems that they were always niche and are now off the market entirely. We were all-in on gas (partly as a result of discovering gas fields under the North Sea in the mid-20th Century) and gas stoves are still popular. (Edit: though it's increasingly uncommon for new houses to be connected to mains gas at all, and I think the government is intending to formalise that at some point).

I find it fascinating how different preferences arise and end up dominating in different countries. I wonder what it is about gas dryers that make them popular in the US. Anyone got one and can enlighten me?

I've heard gas furnaces are more efficient from a cost perspective. People definitely don't want to be forced to replace an appliance with one that will cost more to operate.

My main criteria for choosing a place to rent is choosing a place that has a gas stove.