Prices are now 3.4x higher than in 1983
In 1983, a dozen eggs cost $0.89, a gallon of gas cost $1.24 and a pound of white bread cost $0.54.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1983 costs about $338.29 today. The inflation rate in 1983 was 3.2%, and total inflation from 1983 to September 2026 was 238%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1983 was for heating oil (up 59%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 51%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.89 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.24 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.54 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $338.29 |
Biggest price changes since 1983
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1983 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 238% between 1983 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 238% inflation between 1983 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil438% higher59% higherWas $1.10 in 1983, now $5.92 per gallonWas $3.73 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Navel oranges345% higher32% higherWas $0.39 in 1983, now $1.72 per lbWas $1.31 in today's dollars, now $1.72 per lb
- Grapefruit345% higher31% higherWas $0.37 in 1983, now $1.62 per lbWas $1.24 in today's dollars, now $1.62 per lb
- Gasoline, premium292% higher16% higherWas $1.38 in 1983, now $5.43 per gallonWas $4.68 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Ground coffee279% higher12% higherWas $2.47 in 1983, now $9.33 per lbWas $8.34 in today's dollars, now $9.33 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs67% higher51% lowerWas $1.04 in 1983, now $1.74 per lbWas $3.53 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Bananas70% higher50% lowerWas $0.39 in 1983, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.31 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Rice136% higher30% lowerWas $0.47 in 1983, now $1.12 per lbWas $1.60 in today's dollars, now $1.12 per lb
- Flour150% higher26% lowerWas $0.22 in 1983, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.74 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
- Electricity150% higher26% lowerWas $0.08 in 1983, now $0.20 per kWhWas $0.26 in today's dollars, now $0.20 per kWh
Food and energy prices in 1983
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1983, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1983 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1983$1.241983, adjusted$4.20 | Today$4.48 | Change261% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1983$1.381983, adjusted$4.68 | Today$5.43 | Change292% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1983$0.081983, adjusted$0.26 | Today$0.20 | Change150% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1983$0.651983, adjusted$2.19 | Today$1.70 | Change163% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1983$1.101983, adjusted$3.73 | Today$5.92 | Change438% higherAfter inflation59% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground chuck per lb | 1983$1.731983, adjusted$5.85 | Today$6.48 | Change275% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1983$2.901983, adjusted$9.81 | Today$9.84 | Change239% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Round roast per lb | 1983$2.551983, adjusted$8.64 | Today$8.80 | Change244% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1983$1.941983, adjusted$6.57 | Today$6.76 | Change248% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1983$0.721983, adjusted$2.45 | Today$2.06 | Change185% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1983$1.041983, adjusted$3.53 | Today$1.74 | Change67% higherAfter inflation51% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1983$0.891983, adjusted$3.02 | Today$2.27 | Change154% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1983$2.161983, adjusted$7.30 | Today$5.93 | Change175% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1983$0.391983, adjusted$1.31 | Today$0.66 | Change70% higherAfter inflation50% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1983$0.391983, adjusted$1.31 | Today$1.72 | Change345% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1983$0.371983, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.62 | Change345% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1983$0.751983, adjusted$2.53 | Today$2.13 | Change185% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1983$0.761983, adjusted$2.58 | Today$2.84 | Change272% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1983$0.781983, adjusted$2.65 | Today$1.99 | Change154% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1983$0.551983, adjusted$1.87 | Today$1.64 | Change195% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1983$0.541983, adjusted$1.83 | Today$1.83 | Change238% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Flour per lb | 1983$0.221983, adjusted$0.74 | Today$0.55 | Change150% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1983$0.471983, adjusted$1.60 | Today$1.12 | Change136% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1983$0.361983, adjusted$1.22 | Today$1.02 | Change182% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1983$1.821983, adjusted$6.15 | Today$5.15 | Change183% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1983$2.501983, adjusted$8.47 | Today$6.67 | Change166% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19831983 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1983$2.471983, adjusted$8.34 | Today$9.33 | Change279% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1983?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.89 in 1983. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 25% lower than in 1983.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1983?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.24 in 1983. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% higher than in 1983.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1983?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.54 in 1983. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's about the same as in 1983.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1983?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.47 in 1983. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% higher than in 1983.
How much is $1 from 1983 worth today?
$1 in 1983 has about the same buying power as $3.38 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1983?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1983 was 3.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1982 to 1983.
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 1983 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1983 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1983 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.89 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.24 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.54 → $1.83 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $338.29 |