According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for snacks were 12.38% lower in 2020 versus 2022 (a $0.77 difference in value).
The current national average price is $6.25 for "Potato chips, per 16 oz.". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 2022 and 2020: Snacks experienced an average inflation rate of -6.40% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, snacks costing $6.25 in the year 2022 would cost $5.48 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of -5.96% during this same period, inflation for snacks was lower.
In the year 2022: Pricing changed by 12.24%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for snacks during the 2022-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2022 (8%), inflation for snacks was much higher.
The average price for Snacks is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Potato chips, per 16 oz.:
| Year | Average price (Snacks) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.25 (latest available value) | $6.25 |
| 2023 | $6.45 | $6.41 |
| 2022 | $5.83 | $6.12 |
| 2021 | $5.08 | $5.99 |
| 2020 | $4.92 | $5.90 |
| 2019 | $4.49 | $5.54 |
| 2018 | $4.45 | $5.45 |
| 2017 | $4.41 | $5.44 |
| 2016 | $4.46 | $5.50 |
| 2015 | $4.41 | $5.47 |
| 2014 | $4.37 | $5.56 |
| 2013 | $4.66 | $5.97 |
| 2012 | $4.99 | $6.49 |
| 2011 | $4.97 | $6.89 |
| 2010 | $4.64 | $6.66 |
| 2009 | $4.57 | $6.66 |
| 2008 | $4.02 | $6.26 |
| 2007 | $3.53 | $5.93 |
| 2006 | $3.47 | $5.94 |
| 2005 | $3.37 | $5.86 |
| 2004 | $3.40 | $6.09 |
| 2003 | $3.50 | $6.28 |
| 2002 | $3.36 | $6.18 |
| 2001 | $3.43 | $6.30 |
| 2000 | $3.36 | $6.28 |
| 1999 | $3.26 | $6.31 |
| 1998 | $3.16 | $6.28 |
| 1997 | $3.13 | $6.30 |
| 1996 | $3.06 | $6.39 |
| 1995 | $3.00 | $6.55 |
| 1994 | $2.97 | $6.66 |
| 1993 | $2.88 | $6.60 |
| 1992 | $2.90 | $6.77 |
| 1991 | $2.96 | $6.92 |
| 1990 | $2.96 | $7.09 |
| 1989 | $2.86 | $7.05 |
| 1988 | $2.62 | $6.85 |
| 1987 | $2.75 | $7.41 |
| 1986 | $2.68 | $7.50 |
| 1985 | $2.61 | $7.55 |
| 1984 | $2.57 | $7.68 |
| 1983 | $2.50 | $7.80 |
| 1982 | $2.40 | $7.74 |
| 1981 | $2.28 | $7.64 |
| 1980 | $2.04 | $7.85 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Snacks, over time, for $6.25 beginning in 2022. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $6.25 | 12.24% |
| 2023 | $6.60 | 5.67% |
| 2024 | $6.57 | -0.59%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 62.900 | 64.885 | 72.431 | 80.754 | 92.769 | 96.354 | 99.831 | 103.831 | 107.254 | 110.892 | 115.446 | 118.869 | 126.123 | 129.615 | 133.100 | 133.062 | 135.754 | 138.615 | 142.554 | 148.592 | 154.600 | 156.408 | 160.415 | 166.300 | 169.000 | 168.685 | 173.085 | 173.685 | 178.500 | 181.223 | 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 | 310.853 |