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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 674.67% higher in 2025 versus 1972 (a $2,631.22 difference in value).
Between 1972 and 2025: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.94% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $390 in the year 1972 would cost $3,021.22 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.91% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1972: Pricing changed by 4.13%, which is above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1972-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1972 (3.27%), inflation for food and beverages was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $390 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | $390.00 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $441.81 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $502.61 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $545.03 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $561.88 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $595.38 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $653.53 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $723.52 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $785.43 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $846.51 | 7.78% |
| 1982 | $880.98 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $900.62 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $934.47 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $956.27 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $987.47 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $1,027.65 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $1,070.06 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $1,130.72 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $1,195.84 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $1,238.46 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $1,255.59 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $1,281.85 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $1,311.65 | 2.33% |
| 1995 | $1,347.80 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $1,391.60 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $1,428.10 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $1,458.46 | 2.13% |
| 1999 | $1,489.87 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $1,524.27 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $1,571.42 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $1,600.32 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $1,634.52 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $1,689.67 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $1,730.76 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $1,771.37 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $1,840.59 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $1,939.50 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $1,975.93 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $1,991.64 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $2,063.00 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $2,115.55 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $2,145.39 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $2,195.03 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $2,234.46 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $2,242.14 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $2,261.92 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $2,293.69 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $2,335.94 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $2,413.91 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $2,506.15 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $2,746.12 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $2,901.56 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $2,966.49 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $3,021.22 | 1.85%* |
* 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 Food and beverages:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 34.985 | 36.254 | 38.062 | 40.131 | 41.369 | 43.077 | 48.800 | 55.515 | 60.200 | 62.062 | 65.762 | 72.185 | 79.915 | 86.754 | 93.500 | 97.308 | 99.477 | 103.215 | 105.623 | 109.069 | 113.508 | 118.192 | 124.892 | 132.085 | 136.792 | 138.685 | 141.585 | 144.877 | 148.869 | 153.708 | 157.738 | 161.092 | 164.562 | 168.362 | 173.569 | 176.762 | 180.538 | 186.631 | 191.169 | 195.654 | 203.300 | 214.225 | 218.249 | 219.984 | 227.866 | 233.670 | 236.966 | 242.449 | 246.804 | 247.653 | 249.837 | 253.346 | 258.013 | 266.625 | 276.814 | 303.319 | 320.488 | 327.659 | 333.705 |