Prices are now 4.1x higher than in 1980
In 1980, a dozen eggs cost $0.84, a gallon of gas cost $1.25 and a pound of white bread cost $0.51.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1980 costs about $408.91 today. The inflation rate in 1980 was 13.5%, and total inflation from 1980 to September 2026 was 309%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1980 was for heating oil (up 43%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 60%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.84 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.25 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.51 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.14 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $408.91 |
Biggest price changes since 1980
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1980 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 309% between 1980 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 309% inflation between 1980 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil487% higher43% higherWas $1.01 in 1980, now $5.92 per gallonWas $4.13 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Navel oranges372% higher16% higherWas $0.36 in 1980, now $1.72 per lbWas $1.49 in today's dollars, now $1.72 per lb
- Bacon361% higher13% higherWas $1.46 in 1980, now $6.76 per lbWas $5.99 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Grapefruit359% higher12% higherWas $0.35 in 1980, now $1.62 per lbWas $1.45 in today's dollars, now $1.62 per lb
- Strawberries344% higher8% higherWas $0.64 in 1980, now $2.84 per 12 ozWas $2.62 in today's dollars, now $2.84 per 12 oz
Less inflation
- Chicken legs63% higher60% lowerWas $1.07 in 1980, now $1.74 per lbWas $4.36 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Bananas92% higher53% lowerWas $0.34 in 1980, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.40 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Rice119% higher47% lowerWas $0.51 in 1980, now $1.12 per lbWas $2.09 in today's dollars, now $1.12 per lb
- Sugar138% higher42% lowerWas $0.43 in 1980, now $1.02 per lbWas $1.75 in today's dollars, now $1.02 per lb
- Flour160% higher37% lowerWas $0.21 in 1980, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.86 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1980
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1980, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1980 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1980$1.251980, adjusted$5.09 | Today$4.48 | Change260% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Electricityper kWh | 1980$0.061980, adjusted$0.25 | Today$0.20 | Change227% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1980$0.411980, adjusted$1.66 | Today$1.70 | Change319% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1980$1.011980, adjusted$4.13 | Today$5.92 | Change487% higherAfter inflation43% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chuck per lb | 1980$1.831980, adjusted$7.50 | Today$6.48 | Change254% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Round steak per lb | 1980$2.771980, adjusted$11.32 | Today$9.84 | Change255% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Round roast per lb | 1980$2.611980, adjusted$10.67 | Today$8.80 | Change237% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Baconper lb | 1980$1.461980, adjusted$5.99 | Today$6.76 | Change361% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1980$0.711980, adjusted$2.90 | Today$2.06 | Change191% higherAfter inflation29% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1980$1.071980, adjusted$4.36 | Today$1.74 | Change63% higherAfter inflation60% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1980$0.841980, adjusted$3.45 | Today$2.27 | Change169% higherAfter inflation34% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1980$1.821980, adjusted$7.45 | Today$5.93 | Change225% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1980$0.341980, adjusted$1.40 | Today$0.66 | Change92% higherAfter inflation53% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1980$0.361980, adjusted$1.49 | Today$1.72 | Change372% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1980$0.351980, adjusted$1.45 | Today$1.62 | Change359% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1980$0.701980, adjusted$2.87 | Today$2.13 | Change203% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1980$0.641980, adjusted$2.62 | Today$2.84 | Change344% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1980$0.671980, adjusted$2.75 | Today$1.99 | Change196% higherAfter inflation28% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1980$0.451980, adjusted$1.85 | Today$1.64 | Change262% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1980$0.511980, adjusted$2.08 | Today$1.83 | Change260% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Flour per lb | 1980$0.211980, adjusted$0.86 | Today$0.55 | Change160% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1980$0.511980, adjusted$2.09 | Today$1.12 | Change119% higherAfter inflation47% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1980$0.431980, adjusted$1.75 | Today$1.02 | Change138% higherAfter inflation42% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1980$1.581980, adjusted$6.46 | Today$5.15 | Change226% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1980$2.041980, adjusted$8.34 | Today$6.67 | Change227% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19801980 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1980$3.141980, adjusted$12.85 | Today$9.33 | Change197% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1980?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.84 in 1980. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 34% lower than in 1980.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1980?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.25 in 1980. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% lower than in 1980.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1980?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.51 in 1980. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% lower than in 1980.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1980?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $3.14 in 1980. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 27% lower than in 1980.
How much is $1 from 1980 worth today?
$1 in 1980 has about the same buying power as $4.09 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1980?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1980 was 13.5%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1979 to 1980.
Where these prices come from
These prices come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which checks what everyday items cost in stores across the U.S. every month. The 1980 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1980 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1980 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.84 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.25 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.51 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.14 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $408.91 |