Prices are now 3.5x higher than in 1982
In 1982, a dozen eggs cost $0.87, a gallon of gas cost $1.30 and a pound of white bread cost $0.53.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1982 costs about $349.75 today. The inflation rate in 1982 was 6.2%, and total inflation from 1982 to October 2026 was 250%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1982 was for heating oil (up 45%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 53%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.87 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.30 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.86 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.52 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $349.75 |
Biggest price changes since 1982
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1982 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 250% between 1982 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 250% inflation between 1982 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil406% higher45% higherWas $1.21 in 1982, now $6.11 per gallonWas $4.23 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Gasoline, premium284% higher10% higherWas $1.42 in 1982, now $5.43 per gallonWas $4.95 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Ground chuck279% higher8% higherWas $1.77 in 1982, now $6.73 per lbWas $6.21 in today's dollars, now $6.73 per lb
- Ground coffee266% higher5% higherWas $2.52 in 1982, now $9.25 per lbWas $8.83 in today's dollars, now $9.25 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs63% higher53% lowerWas $1.07 in 1982, now $1.75 per lbWas $3.74 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Bananas85% higher47% lowerWas $0.35 in 1982, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.24 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Rice118% higher38% lowerWas $0.50 in 1982, now $1.10 per lbWas $1.77 in today's dollars, now $1.10 per lb
- Flour140% higher31% lowerWas $0.22 in 1982, now $0.54 per lbWas $0.78 in today's dollars, now $0.54 per lb
- Electricity150% higher29% lowerWas $0.08 in 1982, now $0.19 per kWhWas $0.27 in today's dollars, now $0.19 per kWh
Food and energy prices in 1982
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1982, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 1982 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1982$1.301982, adjusted$4.53 | Today$4.45 | Change244% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1982$1.421982, adjusted$4.95 | Today$5.43 | Change284% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1982$0.081982, adjusted$0.27 | Today$0.19 | Change150% higherAfter inflation29% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1982$0.561982, adjusted$1.96 | Today$1.69 | Change202% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1982$1.211982, adjusted$4.23 | Today$6.11 | Change406% higherAfter inflation45% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chuck per lb | 1982$1.771982, adjusted$6.21 | Today$6.73 | Change279% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1982$2.951982, adjusted$10.33 | Today$10.11 | Change242% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Round roast per lb | 1982$2.641982, adjusted$9.22 | Today$8.37 | Change217% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Baconper lb | 1982$2.051982, adjusted$7.18 | Today$6.69 | Change226% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1982$0.711982, adjusted$2.50 | Today$2.03 | Change184% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1982$1.071982, adjusted$3.74 | Today$1.75 | Change63% higherAfter inflation53% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1982$0.871982, adjusted$3.03 | Today$2.32 | Change168% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1982$2.101982, adjusted$7.35 | Today$6.03 | Change187% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1982$0.351982, adjusted$1.24 | Today$0.66 | Change85% higherAfter inflation47% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1982$0.771982, adjusted$2.69 | Today$2.14 | Change178% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1982$0.841982, adjusted$2.95 | Today$2.81 | Change233% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1982$0.741982, adjusted$2.58 | Today$2.08 | Change182% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1982$0.571982, adjusted$2.00 | Today$1.96 | Change242% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1982$0.531982, adjusted$1.86 | Today$1.86 | Change250% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Flour per lb | 1982$0.221982, adjusted$0.78 | Today$0.54 | Change140% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1982$0.501982, adjusted$1.77 | Today$1.10 | Change118% higherAfter inflation38% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1982$0.351982, adjusted$1.21 | Today$1.00 | Change190% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1982$1.771982, adjusted$6.20 | Today$5.25 | Change196% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1982$2.401982, adjusted$8.39 | Today$6.64 | Change177% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1982$2.521982, adjusted$8.83 | Today$9.25 | Change266% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1982?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.87 in 1982. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 23% lower than in 1982.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1982?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.30 in 1982. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 1982.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1982?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.53 in 1982. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's about the same as in 1982.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1982?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.52 in 1982. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% higher than in 1982.
How much is $1 from 1982 worth today?
$1 in 1982 has about the same buying power as $3.50 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1982?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1982 was 6.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1981 to 1982.
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 1982 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 1982 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1982 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.87 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.30 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.86 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.52 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $349.75 |