What things cost in 1986 vs. today
In 1986, a dozen eggs cost $0.87, a gallon of gas cost $0.93, a pound of white bread cost $0.56, a pound of ground beef cost $1.23 and a pound of coffee cost $3.43. Overall, $1 in 1986 buys about as much as $3.06 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 32 of these everyday items in both 1986 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 13 of them cost more today than in 1986, and 19 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Heating oil: $0.83 → $5.15 per gallon (102% above inflation)
- Ground beef: $1.23 → $6.92 per lb (84% above inflation)
- Gasoline, premium: $1.08 → $5.13 per gallon (55% above inflation)
- Gasoline, regular: $0.93 → $4.20 per gallon (48% above inflation)
- Ground chuck: $1.64 → $6.77 per lb (35% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Chicken legs: $1.17 → $1.67 per lb (53% below inflation)
- Bananas: $0.38 → $0.65 per lb (45% below inflation)
- American cheese: $2.60 → $4.75 per lb (40% below inflation)
- Spaghetti & macaroni: $0.74 → $1.37 per lb (39% below inflation)
- Cheddar cheese: $3.05 → $5.98 per lb (36% below inflation)
1986 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 1986 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 | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $0.93 | $2.83 | $4.20 | +48% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $1.08 | $3.32 | $5.13 | +55% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.08 | $0.23 | $0.20 | −16% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $0.60 | $1.83 | $1.71 | −6% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $0.83 | $2.55 | $5.15 | +102% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $1.23 | $3.77 | $6.92 | +84% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $1.64 | $5.00 | $6.77 | +35% |
| Round steak / lb | $2.77 | $8.46 | $9.69 | +15% |
| Round roast / lb | $2.44 | $7.47 | $8.96 | +20% |
| Bacon / lb | $2.08 | $6.36 | $6.61 | +4% |
| Whole chicken / lb | $0.84 | $2.55 | $2.01 | −21% |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.17 | $3.57 | $1.67 | −53% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $0.87 | $2.66 | $2.27 | −15% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $3.05 | $9.32 | $5.98 | −36% |
| American cheese / lb | $2.60 | $7.95 | $4.75 | −40% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $2.36 | $7.21 | $5.85 | −19% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.38 | $1.18 | $0.65 | −45% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $0.48 | $1.47 | $1.71 | +16% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $0.51 | $1.55 | $1.60 | +3% |
| Lemons / lb | $0.82 | $2.51 | $2.11 | −16% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $0.83 | $2.53 | $2.58 | +2% |
| Tomatoes / lb | $0.82 | $2.52 | $1.98 | −21% |
| Potatoes / lb | $0.25 | $0.77 | $0.98 | +27% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.53 | $1.61 | $1.47 | −9% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $0.56 | $1.73 | $1.82 | +6% |
| Flour / lb | $0.21 | $0.64 | $0.55 | −14% |
| Rice / lb | $0.45 | $1.36 | $1.11 | −18% |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $0.74 | $2.26 | $1.37 | −39% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.35 | $1.07 | $1.02 | −5% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $1.99 | $6.08 | $5.21 | −14% |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $2.68 | $8.18 | $6.75 | −17% |
Drinks
| Item | 1986 | 1986 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $3.43 | $10.49 | $9.30 | −11% |
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 1986 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 1986 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 1986 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 1985 · What things cost in 1987 →
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