Prices are now 3.7x higher than in 1981
In 1981, a dozen eggs cost $0.90, a gallon of gas cost $1.38 and a pound of white bread cost $0.53.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1981 costs about $371.30 today. The inflation rate in 1981 was 10.3%, and total inflation from 1981 to October 2026 was 271%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1981 was for heating oil (up 32%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 58%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.90 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.38 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.86 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.53 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $371.30 |
Biggest price changes since 1981
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1981 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 271% between 1981 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 271% inflation between 1981 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil390% higher32% higherWas $1.25 in 1981, now $6.11 per gallonWas $4.63 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Iceberg lettuce303% higher8% higherWas $0.49 in 1981, now $1.96 per lbWas $1.81 in today's dollars, now $1.96 per lb
- Bacon301% higher8% higherWas $1.67 in 1981, now $6.69 per lbWas $6.18 in today's dollars, now $6.69 per lb
- Strawberries281% higher3% higherWas $0.74 in 1981, now $2.81 per 12 ozWas $2.73 in today's dollars, now $2.81 per 12 oz
- Ground chuck273% higher1% higherWas $1.80 in 1981, now $6.73 per lbWas $6.70 in today's dollars, now $6.73 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs56% higher58% lowerWas $1.12 in 1981, now $1.75 per lbWas $4.15 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Bananas81% higher51% lowerWas $0.36 in 1981, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.34 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Rice96% higher47% lowerWas $0.56 in 1981, now $1.10 per lbWas $2.09 in today's dollars, now $1.10 per lb
- Flour139% higher36% lowerWas $0.22 in 1981, now $0.54 per lbWas $0.83 in today's dollars, now $0.54 per lb
- Sugar150% higher33% lowerWas $0.40 in 1981, now $1.00 per lbWas $1.49 in today's dollars, now $1.00 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1981
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1981, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 1981 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1981$1.381981, adjusted$5.12 | Today$4.45 | Change223% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1981$1.471981, adjusted$5.46 | Today$5.43 | Change270% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Electricityper kWh | 1981$0.071981, adjusted$0.26 | Today$0.19 | Change174% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1981$0.471981, adjusted$1.73 | Today$1.69 | Change262% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1981$1.251981, adjusted$4.63 | Today$6.11 | Change390% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chuck per lb | 1981$1.801981, adjusted$6.70 | Today$6.73 | Change273% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1981$2.861981, adjusted$10.63 | Today$10.11 | Change253% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Round roast per lb | 1981$2.631981, adjusted$9.75 | Today$8.37 | Change219% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Baconper lb | 1981$1.671981, adjusted$6.18 | Today$6.69 | Change301% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1981$0.731981, adjusted$2.72 | Today$2.03 | Change177% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1981$1.121981, adjusted$4.15 | Today$1.75 | Change56% higherAfter inflation58% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1981$0.901981, adjusted$3.34 | Today$2.32 | Change158% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1981$2.021981, adjusted$7.49 | Today$6.03 | Change199% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1981$0.361981, adjusted$1.34 | Today$0.66 | Change81% higherAfter inflation51% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1981$0.701981, adjusted$2.60 | Today$2.14 | Change206% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1981$0.741981, adjusted$2.73 | Today$2.81 | Change281% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1981$0.771981, adjusted$2.86 | Today$2.08 | Change171% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1981$0.491981, adjusted$1.81 | Today$1.96 | Change303% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1981$0.531981, adjusted$1.95 | Today$1.86 | Change254% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Flour per lb | 1981$0.221981, adjusted$0.83 | Today$0.54 | Change139% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1981$0.561981, adjusted$2.09 | Today$1.10 | Change96% higherAfter inflation47% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1981$0.401981, adjusted$1.49 | Today$1.00 | Change150% higherAfter inflation33% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1981$1.731981, adjusted$6.41 | Today$5.25 | Change204% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1981$2.281981, adjusted$8.46 | Today$6.64 | Change191% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19811981 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1981$2.531981, adjusted$9.38 | Today$9.25 | Change266% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1981?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.90 in 1981. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 30% lower than in 1981.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1981?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.38 in 1981. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% lower than in 1981.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1981?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.53 in 1981. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% lower than in 1981.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1981?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.53 in 1981. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 1% lower than in 1981.
How much is $1 from 1981 worth today?
$1 in 1981 has about the same buying power as $3.71 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1981?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1981 was 10.3%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1980 to 1981.
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 1981 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 1981 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1981 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.90 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.38 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.86 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.53 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $371.30 |