What things cost in 1989 vs. today
In 1989, a dozen eggs cost $1.00, a gallon of gas cost $1.02, a pound of white bread cost $0.67, a pound of ground beef cost $1.44 and a pound of coffee cost $3.07. Overall, $1 in 1989 buys about as much as $2.70 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 34 of these everyday items in both 1989 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 16 of them cost more today than in 1989, and 18 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Heating oil: $0.89 → $5.15 per gallon (115% above inflation)
- Ground beef: $1.44 → $6.92 per lb (78% above inflation)
- Gasoline, premium: $1.20 → $5.13 per gallon (59% above inflation)
- Gasoline, regular: $1.02 → $4.20 per gallon (52% above inflation)
- Chuck roast: $2.32 → $9.45 per lb (51% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Chicken legs: $1.21 → $1.67 per lb (49% below inflation)
- Bananas: $0.45 → $0.65 per lb (46% below inflation)
- Spaghetti & macaroni: $0.87 → $1.37 per lb (41% below inflation)
- American cheese: $2.93 → $4.75 per lb (40% below inflation)
- Cheddar cheese: $3.20 → $5.98 per lb (31% below inflation)
1989 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 1989 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 | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $1.02 | $2.76 | $4.20 | +52% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $1.20 | $3.23 | $5.13 | +59% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.08 | $0.22 | $0.20 | −11% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $0.59 | $1.59 | $1.71 | +8% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $0.89 | $2.40 | $5.15 | +115% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $1.44 | $3.89 | $6.92 | +78% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $1.83 | $4.93 | $6.77 | +37% |
| Sirloin steak / lb | $3.93 | $10.61 | $14.36 | +35% |
| Round steak / lb | $3.12 | $8.42 | $9.69 | +15% |
| Round roast / lb | $2.76 | $7.45 | $8.96 | +20% |
| Chuck roast / lb | $2.32 | $6.26 | $9.45 | +51% |
| Bacon / lb | $1.77 | $4.77 | $6.61 | +38% |
| Whole chicken / lb | $0.93 | $2.50 | $2.01 | −20% |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.21 | $3.26 | $1.67 | −49% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $1.00 | $2.70 | $2.27 | −16% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $3.20 | $8.65 | $5.98 | −31% |
| American cheese / lb | $2.93 | $7.91 | $4.75 | −40% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $2.60 | $7.02 | $5.85 | −17% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.45 | $1.21 | $0.65 | −46% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $0.52 | $1.39 | $1.71 | +23% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $0.53 | $1.42 | $1.60 | +13% |
| Lemons / lb | $1.00 | $2.69 | $2.11 | −21% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $1.04 | $2.80 | $2.58 | −8% |
| Tomatoes / lb | $0.91 | $2.46 | $1.98 | −20% |
| Potatoes / lb | $0.34 | $0.92 | $0.98 | +6% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.60 | $1.63 | $1.47 | −10% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $0.67 | $1.80 | $1.82 | +1% |
| Flour / lb | $0.24 | $0.66 | $0.55 | −17% |
| Rice / lb | $0.50 | $1.35 | $1.11 | −18% |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $0.87 | $2.34 | $1.37 | −41% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.40 | $1.08 | $1.02 | −5% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $2.38 | $6.43 | $5.21 | −19% |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $2.86 | $7.73 | $6.75 | −13% |
Drinks
| Item | 1989 | 1989 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $3.07 | $8.30 | $9.30 | +12% |
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 1989 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 1989 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 1989 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 1988 · What things cost in 1990 →
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