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 $349.16 today. The inflation rate in 1982 was 6.2%, and total inflation from 1982 to September 2026 was 249%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1982 was for heating oil (up 40%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 53%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.87 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.30 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.52 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $349.16 |
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 249% between 1982 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 249% inflation between 1982 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil390% higher40% higherWas $1.21 in 1982, now $5.92 per gallonWas $4.22 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Grapefruit359% higher31% higherWas $0.35 in 1982, now $1.62 per lbWas $1.24 in today's dollars, now $1.62 per lb
- Navel oranges298% higher14% higherWas $0.43 in 1982, now $1.72 per lbWas $1.51 in today's dollars, now $1.72 per lb
- Gasoline, premium283% higher10% higherWas $1.42 in 1982, now $5.43 per gallonWas $4.94 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Ground coffee270% higher6% higherWas $2.52 in 1982, now $9.33 per lbWas $8.81 in today's dollars, now $9.33 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs63% higher53% lowerWas $1.07 in 1982, now $1.74 per lbWas $3.73 in today's dollars, now $1.74 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
- Rice121% higher37% lowerWas $0.50 in 1982, now $1.12 per lbWas $1.76 in today's dollars, now $1.12 per lb
- Flour144% higher30% lowerWas $0.22 in 1982, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.78 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
- Electricity158% higher26% lowerWas $0.08 in 1982, now $0.20 per kWhWas $0.27 in today's dollars, now $0.20 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 September 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$4.52 | Today$4.48 | Change246% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1982$1.421982, adjusted$4.94 | Today$5.43 | Change283% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1982$0.081982, adjusted$0.27 | Today$0.20 | Change158% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1982$0.561982, adjusted$1.95 | Today$1.70 | Change204% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1982$1.211982, adjusted$4.22 | Today$5.92 | Change390% higherAfter inflation40% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chuck per lb | 1982$1.771982, adjusted$6.20 | Today$6.48 | Change265% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1982$2.951982, adjusted$10.31 | Today$9.84 | Change233% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Round roast per lb | 1982$2.641982, adjusted$9.20 | Today$8.80 | Change234% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Baconper lb | 1982$2.051982, adjusted$7.17 | Today$6.76 | Change229% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1982$0.711982, adjusted$2.49 | Today$2.06 | Change189% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1982$1.071982, adjusted$3.73 | Today$1.74 | 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$2.27 | Change162% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1982$2.101982, adjusted$7.34 | Today$5.93 | Change182% higherAfter inflation19% 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 |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1982$0.431982, adjusted$1.51 | Today$1.72 | Change298% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1982$0.351982, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.62 | Change359% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1982$0.771982, adjusted$2.69 | Today$2.13 | Change176% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1982$0.841982, adjusted$2.94 | Today$2.84 | Change237% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1982$0.741982, adjusted$2.58 | Today$1.99 | Change170% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1982$0.571982, adjusted$2.00 | Today$1.64 | Change185% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1982$0.531982, adjusted$1.86 | Today$1.83 | Change244% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Flour per lb | 1982$0.221982, adjusted$0.78 | Today$0.55 | Change144% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1982$0.501982, adjusted$1.76 | Today$1.12 | Change121% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1982$0.351982, adjusted$1.20 | Today$1.02 | Change195% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1982$1.771982, adjusted$6.19 | Today$5.15 | Change191% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1982$2.401982, adjusted$8.37 | Today$6.67 | Change178% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19821982 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1982$2.521982, adjusted$8.81 | Today$9.33 | Change270% higherAfter inflation6% 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 September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 25% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 1% 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than 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 September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% higher than in 1982.
How much is $1 from 1982 worth today?
$1 in 1982 has about the same buying power as $3.49 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 September 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 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.30 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.53 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.52 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $349.16 |