Prices in 1981 vs. today

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 $368.51 today. The inflation rate in 1981 was 10.3%, and total inflation from 1981 to August 2026 was 269%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1981 was for navel oranges (up 19%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 60%).

What things cost in 1981
Dozen eggs$0.90 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.38 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.53 → $1.82
Pound of coffee$2.53 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $368.51

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 269% between 1981 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 269% inflation between 1981 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Navel oranges338% higher19% higher
    Was $0.39 in 1981, now $1.71 per lbWas $1.44 in today's dollars, now $1.71 per lb
  • Heating oil313% higher12% higher
    Was $1.25 in 1981, now $5.15 per gallonWas $4.59 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Grapefruit306% higher10% higher
    Was $0.40 in 1981, now $1.60 per lbWas $1.46 in today's dollars, now $1.60 per lb
  • Bacon297% higher8% higher
    Was $1.67 in 1981, now $6.61 per lbWas $6.14 in today's dollars, now $6.61 per lb
  • Ground chuck276% higher2% higher
    Was $1.80 in 1981, now $6.77 per lbWas $6.65 in today's dollars, now $6.77 per lb

Less inflation

  • Chicken legs49% higher60% lower
    Was $1.12 in 1981, now $1.67 per lbWas $4.12 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
  • Bananas80% higher51% lower
    Was $0.36 in 1981, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.33 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
  • Rice97% higher46% lower
    Was $0.56 in 1981, now $1.11 per lbWas $2.07 in today's dollars, now $1.11 per lb
  • Flour144% higher34% lower
    Was $0.22 in 1981, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.83 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
  • Eggs, grade A large153% higher31% lower
    Was $0.90 in 1981, now $2.27 per dozenWas $3.31 in today's dollars, now $2.27 per dozen

Food and energy prices in 1981

These are the average prices Americans paid in 1981, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 1981 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon1981$1.381981, adjusted$5.08Today$4.20Change205% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Gasoline, premiumper gallon1981$1.471981, adjusted$5.42Today$5.13Change249% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Electricityper kWh1981$0.071981, adjusted$0.26Today$0.20Change183% higherAfter inflation23% lower
Natural gas (piped)per therm1981$0.471981, adjusted$1.72Today$1.71Change267% higherAfter inflationno change
Heating oilper gallon1981$1.251981, adjusted$4.59Today$5.15Change313% higherAfter inflation12% higher

Meat & poultry

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground chuck per lb1981$1.801981, adjusted$6.65Today$6.77Change276% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Round steak per lb1981$2.861981, adjusted$10.55Today$9.69Change239% higherAfter inflation8% lower
Round roast per lb1981$2.631981, adjusted$9.68Today$8.96Change241% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Baconper lb1981$1.671981, adjusted$6.14Today$6.61Change297% higherAfter inflation8% higher
Whole chickenper lb1981$0.731981, adjusted$2.70Today$2.01Change175% higherAfter inflation25% lower
Chicken legs per lb1981$1.121981, adjusted$4.12Today$1.67Change49% higherAfter inflation60% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen1981$0.901981, adjusted$3.31Today$2.27Change153% higherAfter inflation31% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon1981$2.021981, adjusted$7.43Today$5.85Change190% higherAfter inflation21% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb1981$0.361981, adjusted$1.33Today$0.65Change80% higherAfter inflation51% lower
Navel orangesper lb1981$0.391981, adjusted$1.44Today$1.71Change338% higherAfter inflation19% higher
Grapefruit per lb1981$0.401981, adjusted$1.46Today$1.60Change306% higherAfter inflation10% higher
Lemons per lb1981$0.701981, adjusted$2.58Today$2.11Change202% higherAfter inflation18% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz1981$0.741981, adjusted$2.71Today$2.58Change250% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Tomatoesper lb1981$0.771981, adjusted$2.84Today$1.98Change157% higherAfter inflation30% lower
Iceberg lettuceper lb1981$0.491981, adjusted$1.80Today$1.47Change202% higherAfter inflation18% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb1981$0.531981, adjusted$1.94Today$1.82Change247% higherAfter inflation6% lower
Flour per lb1981$0.221981, adjusted$0.83Today$0.55Change144% higherAfter inflation34% lower
Riceper lb1981$0.561981, adjusted$2.07Today$1.11Change97% higherAfter inflation46% lower
Sugar per lb1981$0.401981, adjusted$1.47Today$1.02Change156% higherAfter inflation31% lower
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb1981$1.731981, adjusted$6.37Today$5.21Change202% higherAfter inflation18% lower
Potato chipsper 16 oz1981$2.281981, adjusted$8.40Today$6.75Change196% higherAfter inflation20% lower

Drinks

Item19811981 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb1981$2.531981, adjusted$9.31Today$9.30Change268% higherAfter inflationno change

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1981?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.90 in 1981. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 31% 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 August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 17% 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 August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% 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 August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's about the same as in 1981.

How much is $1 from 1981 worth today?

$1 in 1981 has about the same buying power as $3.69 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 August 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

Ian Webster

About the author

Ian Webster is an engineer and data expert based in San Mateo, California. He has worked for Google, NASA, and consulted for governments around the world on data pipelines and data analysis. Disappointed by the lack of clear resources on the impacts of inflation on economic indicators, Ian believes this website serves as a valuable public tool. Ian earned his degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

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What things cost in 1981
Dozen eggs$0.90 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.38 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.53 → $1.82
Pound of coffee$2.53 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $368.51