What things cost in 2018 vs. today
In 2018, a dozen eggs cost $1.74, a gallon of milk cost $2.90, a gallon of gas cost $2.74, a pound of white bread cost $1.29, a pound of ground beef cost $3.72 and a pound of coffee cost $4.30. Overall, $1 in 2018 buys about as much as $1.33 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 50 of these everyday items in both 2018 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 30 of them cost more today than in 2018, and 20 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Ground coffee: $4.30 → $9.30 per lb (62% above inflation)
- Ground beef: $3.72 → $6.92 per lb (40% above inflation)
- Chuck roast: $5.19 → $9.45 per lb (37% above inflation)
- Ground chuck: $3.73 → $6.77 per lb (36% above inflation)
- Round roast: $5.03 → $8.96 per lb (34% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Lemons: $2.25 → $2.11 per lb (30% below inflation)
- Butter: $4.07 → $4.02 per lb (26% below inflation)
- Tomatoes: $1.92 → $1.98 per lb (23% below inflation)
- Strawberries: $2.34 → $2.58 per 12 oz (18% below inflation)
- Wine: $12.46 → $13.75 per liter (17% below inflation)
2018 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 2018 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 | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $2.74 | $3.65 | $4.20 | +15% |
| Gasoline, midgrade / gallon | $3.03 | $4.04 | $4.69 | +16% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $3.27 | $4.36 | $5.13 | +18% |
| Diesel fuel / gallon | $3.16 | $4.21 | $5.55 | +32% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.14 | $0.18 | $0.20 | +8% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $1.05 | $1.40 | $1.71 | +23% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $3.09 | $4.12 | $5.15 | +25% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $3.72 | $4.95 | $6.92 | +40% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $3.73 | $4.97 | $6.77 | +36% |
| Ground beef, lean / lb | $5.35 | $7.13 | $8.57 | +20% |
| Sirloin steak / lb | $8.40 | $11.20 | $14.36 | +28% |
| Round steak / lb | $5.71 | $7.61 | $9.69 | +27% |
| Round roast / lb | $5.03 | $6.71 | $8.96 | +34% |
| Chuck roast / lb | $5.19 | $6.91 | $9.45 | +37% |
| Beef stew meat / lb | $5.46 | $7.28 | $8.59 | +18% |
| Bacon / lb | $5.47 | $7.29 | $6.61 | −9% |
| Pork chops, boneless / lb | $3.73 | $4.97 | $4.53 | −9% |
| Ham, boneless / lb | $4.02 | $5.36 | $5.38 | Same |
| Whole chicken / lb | $1.50 | $2.00 | $2.01 | Same |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.42 | $1.89 | $1.67 | −12% |
| Chicken breast, boneless / lb | $3.08 | $4.10 | $4.17 | +2% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $1.74 | $2.32 | $2.27 | −2% |
| Whole milk / gallon | $2.90 | $3.86 | $4.23 | +10% |
| Low-fat milk / gallon | $2.61 | $3.49 | $3.72 | +7% |
| Butter / lb | $4.07 | $5.43 | $4.02 | −26% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $5.14 | $6.85 | $5.98 | −13% |
| American cheese / lb | $4.01 | $5.34 | $4.75 | −11% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $4.74 | $6.32 | $5.85 | −7% |
| Yogurt / 8 oz | $1.06 | $1.42 | $1.58 | +12% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.57 | $0.77 | $0.65 | −15% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $1.41 | $1.88 | $1.71 | −9% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $1.35 | $1.79 | $1.60 | −11% |
| Lemons / lb | $2.25 | $3.00 | $2.11 | −30% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $2.34 | $3.13 | $2.58 | −18% |
| Tomatoes / lb | $1.92 | $2.56 | $1.98 | −23% |
| Potatoes / lb | $0.74 | $0.99 | $0.98 | −1% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.94 | $1.26 | $1.47 | +17% |
| Romaine lettuce / lb | $2.10 | $2.80 | $3.29 | +17% |
| Dried beans / lb | $1.34 | $1.79 | $1.63 | −9% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $1.29 | $1.71 | $1.82 | +6% |
| Flour / lb | $0.46 | $0.62 | $0.55 | −11% |
| Rice / lb | $0.69 | $0.92 | $1.11 | +20% |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $1.19 | $1.58 | $1.37 | −13% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.62 | $0.82 | $1.02 | +25% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $3.50 | $4.67 | $5.21 | +12% |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $4.45 | $5.93 | $6.75 | +14% |
Drinks
| Item | 2018 | 2018 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $4.30 | $5.74 | $9.30 | +62% |
| Soda / 2 liters | $1.46 | $1.95 | $2.23 | +14% |
| Beer / 16 oz | $1.41 | $1.88 | $1.88 | Same |
| Wine / liter | $12.46 | $16.61 | $13.75 | −17% |
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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 2017 · What things cost in 2019 →
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