Hot dogs priced at $5 in 2020 $5.04 in 2021

Hot Dogs Inflation Calculator

$

Prices for Hot Dogs, 2020-2021 ($5)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for frankfurters were 0.73% higher in 2021 versus 2020 (a $0.04 difference in value).

The current national average price is $5.22 for "Frankfurters, all meat or all beef, per lb. (453.6 gm)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.

Between 2020 and 2021: Hot dogs experienced an average inflation rate of 0.73% per year. In other words, hot dogs costing $5 in the year 2020 would cost $5.04 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 4.70% during this same period, inflation for hot dogs was significantly lower.

In the year 2020: Pricing changed by 7.73%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for hot dogs during the 2020-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2020 (1.23%), inflation for hot dogs was much higher.

Price Inflation for Frankfurters since 1951

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years with the largest changes in pricing: 1973 (30.12%), 1978 (24%), and 1979 (17.59%).

Price history

The average price for Hot dogs is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.

Average prices for Frankfurters, all meat or all beef, per lb. (453.6 gm):

YearAverage price (Hot dogs)Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars)
2022$5.09$5.09
2021$4.01$4.45
2020$3.54$3.95
2019$3.10$3.73
2018$2.92$3.56
2017$2.85$3.52
2016$3.24$4.03
2015$3.57$4.34
2014$2.27$2.94
2013$2.27$3.07
2012$2.27$3.07
2011$2.27$3.15
2010$2.27$3.36
2009$2.27$3.36
2008$2.27$3.42
2007$2.27$3.54
2006$2.27$3.70
2005$2.27$3.75
2004$2.27$3.77
2003$2.27$3.82
2002$2.27$4.04
2001$2.27$4.08
2000$2.27$4.27
1999$2.27$4.36
1998$2.27$4.39
1997$2.27$4.37
1996$2.08$4.10
1995$2.03$4.09
1994$2.11$4.30
1993$2.11$4.44
1992$2.24$4.78
1991$2.35$4.96
1990$2.29$4.96
1989$2.06$4.98
1988$2.02$5.03
1987$1.99$5.09
1986$1.93$5.30
1985$1.81$5.09
1984$1.80$5.05
1983$1.81$5.08
1982$1.82$5.06
1981$1.77$5.13
1980$1.72$5.21

View price changes for other categories
Fish and seafood · Admission to sporting events · Denver, Colorado · Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas · More

Buying power of $5.00 since 2020

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Hot dogs, over time, for $5 beginning in 2020. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
2020$5.007.73%
2021$5.040.73%
2022$5.5910.97%
2023$5.793.52%
2024$6.115.55%*

* 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 Frankfurters:

Year19511952195319541955195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
CPI33.56233.05430.08528.80027.60027.03829.50033.67733.33132.50833.03133.16233.10832.83834.96238.20837.61537.70040.96943.70843.25446.89261.01560.16962.26962.76961.26275.96289.32392.47796.554100.56999.70099.72399.885102.046109.454112.700116.054129.223132.862131.292132.892137.738138.662142.115145.277144.585145.477148.600155.354157.177166.231168.469169.154171.592179.344185.350188.824188.694201.309206.830206.612215.781230.354225.371227.044229.406232.631250.606252.430280.130289.987306.080

Adjust hot dogs prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2021 / CPI in 2020 * 2020 USD value = 2021 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Frankfurters was 250.606 in the year 2020 and 252.430 in 2021:

252.430 / 250.606 * $5 = $5.04

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $5 in 2020 has the same "purchasing power" as $5.04 in 2021 (in the CPI category of Frankfurters).


Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Frankfurters in 1951. In addition to hot dogs, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.

» Read more about inflation and investment.