According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of snacks rose 231%, from $2.04 per 16 oz in 1980 to $6.75 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 307% over the same period, so snacks rose more slowly than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
Snacks prices are 400.60% higher in 2026 versus 1977 (a $27.04 difference in value).
Between 1977 and 2026, Snacks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.34% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, snacks costing $6.75 in the year 1977 would cost $33.79 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.53% during this same period, inflation for snacks was lower.
The average price for snacks is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of potato chips, per 16 oz each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per 16 oz) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $6.68 | $6.68 |
| 2025 | $6.71 | $6.97 |
| 2024 | $6.45 | $6.90 |
| 2023 | $6.45 | $7.09 |
| 2022 | $5.83 | $6.67 |
| 2021 | $5.08 | $6.28 |
| 2020 | $4.92 | $6.37 |
| 2019 | $4.49 | $5.88 |
| 2018 | $4.45 | $5.93 |
| 2017 | $4.41 | $6.03 |
| 2016 | $4.46 | $6.23 |
| 2015 | $4.41 | $6.23 |
| 2014 | $4.37 | $6.18 |
| 2013 | $4.66 | $6.71 |
| 2012 | $4.99 | $7.27 |
| 2011 | $4.97 | $7.40 |
| 2010 | $4.64 | $7.13 |
| 2009 | $4.57 | $7.13 |
| 2008 | $4.02 | $6.26 |
| 2007 | $3.53 | $5.70 |
| 2006 | $3.47 | $5.76 |
| 2005 | $3.37 | $5.78 |
| 2004 | $3.40 | $6.04 |
| 2003 | $3.50 | $6.37 |
| 2002 | $3.36 | $6.25 |
| 2001 | $3.43 | $6.48 |
| 2000 | $3.36 | $6.54 |
| 1999 | $3.26 | $6.55 |
| 1998 | $3.16 | $6.50 |
| 1997 | $3.13 | $6.54 |
| 1996 | $3.06 | $6.53 |
| 1995 | $3.00 | $6.60 |
| 1994 | $2.97 | $6.72 |
| 1993 | $2.88 | $6.68 |
| 1992 | $2.90 | $6.92 |
| 1991 | $2.96 | $7.29 |
| 1990 | $2.96 | $7.58 |
| 1989 | $2.86 | $7.73 |
| 1988 | $2.62 | $7.42 |
| 1987 | $2.75 | $8.11 |
| 1986 | $2.68 | $8.18 |
| 1985 | $2.61 | $8.11 |
| 1984 | $2.57 | $8.28 |
| 1983 | $2.50 | $8.42 |
| 1982 | $2.40 | $8.33 |
| 1981 | $2.28 | $8.40 |
| 1980 | $2.04 | $8.29 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Snacks, over time, for $6.75 beginning in 1977. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $6.75 | - |
| 1978 | $6.96 | 3.15% |
| 1979 | $7.77 | 11.64% |
| 1980 | $8.67 | 11.48% |
| 1981 | $9.96 | 14.88% |
| 1982 | $10.34 | 3.86% |
| 1983 | $10.71 | 3.62% |
| 1984 | $11.14 | 4.00% |
| 1985 | $11.51 | 3.30% |
| 1986 | $11.90 | 3.40% |
| 1987 | $12.39 | 4.11% |
| 1988 | $12.76 | 2.96% |
| 1989 | $13.53 | 6.11% |
| 1990 | $13.91 | 2.77% |
| 1991 | $14.28 | 2.69% |
| 1992 | $14.28 | -0.03% |
| 1993 | $14.57 | 2.02% |
| 1994 | $14.88 | 2.11% |
| 1995 | $15.30 | 2.84% |
| 1996 | $15.95 | 4.24% |
| 1997 | $16.59 | 4.04% |
| 1998 | $16.78 | 1.17% |
| 1999 | $17.21 | 2.56% |
| 2000 | $17.85 | 3.67% |
| 2001 | $18.14 | 1.62% |
| 2002 | $18.10 | -0.19% |
| 2003 | $18.57 | 2.61% |
| 2004 | $18.64 | 0.35% |
| 2005 | $19.16 | 2.77% |
| 2006 | $19.45 | 1.53% |
| 2007 | $19.84 | 2.04% |
| 2008 | $21.44 | 8.06% |
| 2009 | $22.88 | 6.71% |
| 2010 | $23.25 | 1.59% |
| 2011 | $24.07 | 3.52% |
| 2012 | $25.62 | 6.48% |
| 2013 | $26.06 | 1.69% |
| 2014 | $26.22 | 0.61% |
| 2015 | $26.89 | 2.57% |
| 2016 | $27.07 | 0.66% |
| 2017 | $27.02 | -0.19% |
| 2018 | $27.19 | 0.65% |
| 2019 | $27.03 | -0.61% |
| 2020 | $27.82 | 2.94% |
| 2021 | $28.29 | 1.69% |
| 2022 | $31.75 | 12.24% |
| 2023 | $33.56 | 5.67% |
| 2024 | $33.21 | -1.03% |
| 2025 | $33.39 | 0.55% |
| 2026 | $33.79 | 1.19%* |
* 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 Snacks:
| Year | 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 | 2026 |
| CPI | 62.900 | 64.883 | 72.433 | 80.750 | 92.767 | 96.350 | 99.833 | 103.825 | 107.250 | 110.892 | 115.450 | 118.867 | 126.125 | 129.617 | 133.100 | 133.058 | 135.750 | 138.617 | 142.550 | 148.592 | 154.600 | 156.408 | 160.417 | 166.300 | 169.000 | 168.683 | 173.083 | 173.683 | 178.500 | 181.225 | 184.915 | 199.824 | 213.232 | 216.617 | 224.252 | 238.786 | 242.831 | 244.300 | 250.583 | 252.245 | 251.760 | 253.385 | 251.846 | 259.261 | 263.629 | 295.908 | 312.700 | 309.488 | 311.186 | 314.877 |