Prices are now 3.1x higher than in 1985
In 1985, a dozen eggs cost $0.80, a gallon of gas cost $1.20 and a pound of white bread cost $0.55.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1985 costs about $313.14 today. The inflation rate in 1985 was 3.6%, and total inflation from 1985 to September 2026 was 213%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1985 was for ground beef (up 75%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 48%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.80 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.20 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.24 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $313.14 |
Biggest price changes since 1985
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1985 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 213% between 1985 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 213% inflation between 1985 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Ground beef449% higher75% higherWas $1.24 in 1985, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.88 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Heating oil449% higher75% higherWas $1.08 in 1985, now $5.92 per gallonWas $3.38 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Gasoline, premium305% higher29% higherWas $1.34 in 1985, now $5.43 per gallonWas $4.19 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Ground chuck286% higher23% higherWas $1.68 in 1985, now $6.48 per lbWas $5.25 in today's dollars, now $6.48 per lb
- Gasoline, regular273% higher19% higherWas $1.20 in 1985, now $4.48 per gallonWas $3.76 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
Less inflation
- Chicken legs62% higher48% lowerWas $1.08 in 1985, now $1.74 per lbWas $3.37 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Bananas79% higher43% lowerWas $0.37 in 1985, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.15 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni86% higher41% lowerWas $0.74 in 1985, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.32 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- American cheese87% higher40% lowerWas $2.53 in 1985, now $4.74 per lbWas $7.93 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Cheddar cheese98% higher37% lowerWas $3.09 in 1985, now $6.13 per lbWas $9.69 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1985
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1985, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1985 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1985$1.201985, adjusted$3.76 | Today$4.48 | Change273% higherAfter inflation19% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1985$1.341985, adjusted$4.19 | Today$5.43 | Change305% higherAfter inflation29% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1985$0.081985, adjusted$0.25 | Today$0.20 | Change141% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1985$0.631985, adjusted$1.98 | Today$1.70 | Change169% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.38 | Today$5.92 | Change449% higherAfter inflation75% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1985$1.241985, adjusted$3.88 | Today$6.79 | Change449% higherAfter inflation75% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1985$1.681985, adjusted$5.25 | Today$6.48 | Change286% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1985$2.821985, adjusted$8.84 | Today$9.84 | Change249% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1985$2.461985, adjusted$7.72 | Today$8.80 | Change257% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.07 | Today$6.76 | Change248% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1985$0.761985, adjusted$2.39 | Today$2.06 | Change170% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.37 | Today$1.74 | Change62% higherAfter inflation48% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1985$0.801985, adjusted$2.52 | Today$2.27 | Change183% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1985$3.091985, adjusted$9.69 | Today$6.13 | Change98% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1985$2.531985, adjusted$7.93 | Today$4.74 | Change87% higherAfter inflation40% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1985$2.301985, adjusted$7.20 | Today$5.93 | Change158% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1985$0.371985, adjusted$1.15 | Today$0.66 | Change79% higherAfter inflation43% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1985$0.531985, adjusted$1.67 | Today$1.72 | Change223% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1985$0.471985, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.62 | Change245% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1985$0.931985, adjusted$2.91 | Today$2.13 | Change129% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1985$0.831985, adjusted$2.60 | Today$2.84 | Change242% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1985$0.781985, adjusted$2.44 | Today$1.99 | Change156% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1985$0.541985, adjusted$1.69 | Today$1.64 | Change204% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1985$0.551985, adjusted$1.73 | Today$1.83 | Change231% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1985$0.211985, adjusted$0.66 | Today$0.55 | Change157% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1985$0.471985, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.12 | Change138% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1985$0.741985, adjusted$2.32 | Today$1.38 | Change86% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1985$0.351985, adjusted$1.11 | Today$1.02 | Change188% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.07 | Today$5.15 | Change166% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1985$2.611985, adjusted$8.16 | Today$6.67 | Change156% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1985$2.581985, adjusted$8.08 | Today$9.33 | Change262% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1985?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.80 in 1985. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 10% lower than in 1985.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1985?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.20 in 1985. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 19% higher than in 1985.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1985?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.55 in 1985. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% higher than in 1985.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1985?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.24 in 1985. In September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 75% higher than in 1985.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1985?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.58 in 1985. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 15% higher than in 1985.
How much is $1 from 1985 worth today?
$1 in 1985 has about the same buying power as $3.13 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1985?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1985 was 3.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1984 to 1985.
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 1985 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1985 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1985 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.80 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.20 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.24 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $313.14 |