According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 220.81% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $27,260,661,597.21 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 2.88% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $12,345,678,900 in the year 1985 would cost $39,606,340,497.21 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.73% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 2.33%, which is below the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $12,345,678,900 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $12,345,678,900.00 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $12,747,948,358.44 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $13,267,099,983.98 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $13,814,498,133.23 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $14,597,608,652.80 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $15,438,186,237.87 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $15,988,506,441.30 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $16,209,608,540.73 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $16,548,566,825.33 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $16,933,303,958.70 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $17,399,858,609.04 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $17,965,763,101.42 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $18,437,187,842.06 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $18,828,743,101.85 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $19,233,934,614.46 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $19,678,086,849.44 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $20,286,848,136.43 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $20,659,897,053.09 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $21,102,101,251.95 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $21,814,108,453.21 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $22,343,974,277.40 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $22,867,995,993.23 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $23,762,095,870.65 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $25,039,111,467.67 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $25,509,445,308.08 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $25,712,206,647.46 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $26,633,462,148.36 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $27,311,836,506.03 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $27,697,070,388.62 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $28,337,906,090.29 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $28,847,025,329.82 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $28,946,180,368.24 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $29,201,509,462.27 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $29,611,678,207.17 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $30,157,118,580.12 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $31,163,668,842.47 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $32,354,561,762.70 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $35,452,572,302.60 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $37,459,312,489.37 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $38,297,523,210.55 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $39,330,424,203.29 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $39,606,340,497.21 | 0.70%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Food and beverages:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 34.983 | 36.258 | 38.058 | 40.133 | 41.367 | 43.075 | 48.800 | 55.517 | 60.200 | 62.058 | 65.758 | 72.183 | 79.917 | 86.758 | 93.500 | 97.308 | 99.475 | 103.217 | 105.625 | 109.067 | 113.508 | 118.192 | 124.892 | 132.083 | 136.792 | 138.683 | 141.583 | 144.875 | 148.867 | 153.708 | 157.742 | 161.092 | 164.558 | 168.358 | 173.567 | 176.758 | 180.542 | 186.633 | 191.167 | 195.650 | 203.300 | 214.225 | 218.249 | 219.984 | 227.866 | 233.670 | 236.966 | 242.448 | 246.804 | 247.653 | 249.837 | 253.346 | 258.013 | 266.625 | 276.814 | 303.319 | 320.488 | 327.659 | 336.496 | 338.857 |