What things cost in 1985 vs. today
In 1985, a dozen eggs cost $0.80, a gallon of gas cost $1.20, a pound of white bread cost $0.55, a pound of ground beef cost $1.24 and a pound of coffee cost $2.58. Overall, $1 in 1985 buys about as much as $3.11 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 31 of these everyday items in both 1985 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 12 of them cost more today than in 1985, and 19 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Ground beef: $1.24 → $6.92 per lb (80% above inflation)
- Heating oil: $1.08 → $5.15 per gallon (53% above inflation)
- Ground chuck: $1.68 → $6.77 per lb (30% above inflation)
- Gasoline, premium: $1.34 → $5.13 per gallon (23% above inflation)
- Round roast: $2.46 → $8.96 per lb (17% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Chicken legs: $1.08 → $1.67 per lb (50% below inflation)
- Bananas: $0.37 → $0.65 per lb (43% below inflation)
- Spaghetti & macaroni: $0.74 → $1.37 per lb (40% below inflation)
- American cheese: $2.53 → $4.75 per lb (40% below inflation)
- Cheddar cheese: $3.09 → $5.98 per lb (38% below inflation)
1985 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 1985 price, what that price equals in today's dollars, and the actual average price in August 2026. Red items rose faster than inflation; green items got cheaper in real terms.
Gas & energy
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $1.20 | $3.74 | $4.20 | +12% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $1.34 | $4.17 | $5.13 | +23% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.08 | $0.25 | $0.20 | −23% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $0.63 | $1.97 | $1.71 | −13% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $1.08 | $3.36 | $5.15 | +53% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $1.24 | $3.85 | $6.92 | +80% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $1.68 | $5.22 | $6.77 | +30% |
| Round steak / lb | $2.82 | $8.79 | $9.69 | +10% |
| Round roast / lb | $2.46 | $7.67 | $8.96 | +17% |
| Bacon / lb | $1.94 | $6.04 | $6.61 | +9% |
| Whole chicken / lb | $0.76 | $2.38 | $2.01 | −15% |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.08 | $3.35 | $1.67 | −50% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $0.80 | $2.50 | $2.27 | −9% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $3.09 | $9.63 | $5.98 | −38% |
| American cheese / lb | $2.53 | $7.88 | $4.75 | −40% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $2.30 | $7.16 | $5.85 | −18% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.37 | $1.14 | $0.65 | −43% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $0.53 | $1.66 | $1.71 | +3% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $0.47 | $1.46 | $1.60 | +10% |
| Lemons / lb | $0.93 | $2.89 | $2.11 | −27% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $0.83 | $2.59 | $2.58 | Same |
| Tomatoes / lb | $0.78 | $2.42 | $1.98 | −18% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.54 | $1.68 | $1.47 | −12% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $0.55 | $1.72 | $1.82 | +6% |
| Flour / lb | $0.21 | $0.66 | $0.55 | −17% |
| Rice / lb | $0.47 | $1.46 | $1.11 | −24% |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $0.74 | $2.30 | $1.37 | −40% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.35 | $1.10 | $1.02 | −7% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $1.94 | $6.04 | $5.21 | −14% |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $2.61 | $8.11 | $6.75 | −17% |
Drinks
| Item | 1985 | 1985 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $2.58 | $8.03 | $9.30 | +16% |
How these prices are calculated
Prices are U.S. city averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Average Price Data, which BLS collects each month for the Consumer Price Index. The 1985 price is the average of that year's available monthly prices, and the "today" price is the latest monthly average, from August 2026. The inflation-adjusted price converts the 1985 price to today's dollars using the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). "vs. inflation" compares the actual price today with that inflation-adjusted price.
To convert any other amount, use the 1985 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 1984 · What things cost in 1986 →
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