Prices in 1985 vs. today

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 $311.32 today. The inflation rate in 1985 was 3.6%, and total inflation from 1985 to August 2026 was 211%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1985 was for ground beef (up 80%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 50%).

What things cost in 1985
Dozen eggs$0.80 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.20 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.55 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.24 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.58 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $311.32

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 211% between 1985 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 211% inflation between 1985 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Ground beef459% higher80% higher
    Was $1.24 in 1985, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.85 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
  • Heating oil377% higher53% higher
    Was $1.08 in 1985, now $5.15 per gallonWas $3.36 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Ground chuck304% higher30% higher
    Was $1.68 in 1985, now $6.77 per lbWas $5.22 in today's dollars, now $6.77 per lb
  • Gasoline, premium283% higher23% higher
    Was $1.34 in 1985, now $5.13 per gallonWas $4.17 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
  • Round roast263% higher17% higher
    Was $2.46 in 1985, now $8.96 per lbWas $7.67 in today's dollars, now $8.96 per lb

Less inflation

  • Chicken legs55% higher50% lower
    Was $1.08 in 1985, now $1.67 per lbWas $3.35 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
  • Bananas78% higher43% lower
    Was $0.37 in 1985, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.14 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
  • Spaghetti & macaroni86% higher40% lower
    Was $0.74 in 1985, now $1.37 per lbWas $2.30 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
  • American cheese87% higher40% lower
    Was $2.53 in 1985, now $4.75 per lbWas $7.88 in today's dollars, now $4.75 per lb
  • Cheddar cheese93% higher38% lower
    Was $3.09 in 1985, now $5.98 per lbWas $9.63 in today's dollars, now $5.98 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 August 2026.These 1985 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon1985$1.201985, adjusted$3.74Today$4.20Change249% higherAfter inflation12% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon1985$1.341985, adjusted$4.17Today$5.13Change283% higherAfter inflation23% higher
Electricityper kWh1985$0.081985, adjusted$0.25Today$0.20Change141% higherAfter inflation23% lower
Natural gas (piped)per therm1985$0.631985, adjusted$1.97Today$1.71Change171% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Heating oilper gallon1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.36Today$5.15Change377% higherAfter inflation53% higher

Meat & poultry

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb1985$1.241985, adjusted$3.85Today$6.92Change459% higherAfter inflation80% higher
Ground chuck per lb1985$1.681985, adjusted$5.22Today$6.77Change304% higherAfter inflation30% higher
Round steak per lb1985$2.821985, adjusted$8.79Today$9.69Change243% higherAfter inflation10% higher
Round roast per lb1985$2.461985, adjusted$7.67Today$8.96Change263% higherAfter inflation17% higher
Baconper lb1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.04Today$6.61Change241% higherAfter inflation9% higher
Whole chickenper lb1985$0.761985, adjusted$2.38Today$2.01Change164% higherAfter inflation15% lower
Chicken legs per lb1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.35Today$1.67Change55% higherAfter inflation50% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen1985$0.801985, adjusted$2.50Today$2.27Change183% higherAfter inflation9% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb1985$3.091985, adjusted$9.63Today$5.98Change93% higherAfter inflation38% lower
American cheese per lb1985$2.531985, adjusted$7.88Today$4.75Change87% higherAfter inflation40% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon1985$2.301985, adjusted$7.16Today$5.85Change155% higherAfter inflation18% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb1985$0.371985, adjusted$1.14Today$0.65Change78% higherAfter inflation43% lower
Navel orangesper lb1985$0.531985, adjusted$1.66Today$1.71Change221% higherAfter inflation3% higher
Grapefruit per lb1985$0.471985, adjusted$1.46Today$1.60Change241% higherAfter inflation10% higher
Lemons per lb1985$0.931985, adjusted$2.89Today$2.11Change128% higherAfter inflation27% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz1985$0.831985, adjusted$2.59Today$2.58Change210% higherAfter inflationno change
Tomatoesper lb1985$0.781985, adjusted$2.42Today$1.98Change154% higherAfter inflation18% lower
Iceberg lettuceper lb1985$0.541985, adjusted$1.68Today$1.47Change173% higherAfter inflation12% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb1985$0.551985, adjusted$1.72Today$1.82Change230% higherAfter inflation6% higher
Flour per lb1985$0.211985, adjusted$0.66Today$0.55Change159% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Riceper lb1985$0.471985, adjusted$1.46Today$1.11Change136% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb1985$0.741985, adjusted$2.30Today$1.37Change86% higherAfter inflation40% lower
Sugar per lb1985$0.351985, adjusted$1.10Today$1.02Change190% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.04Today$5.21Change169% higherAfter inflation14% lower
Potato chipsper 16 oz1985$2.611985, adjusted$8.11Today$6.75Change159% higherAfter inflation17% lower

Drinks

Item19851985 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb1985$2.581985, adjusted$8.03Today$9.30Change260% higherAfter inflation16% 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 August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 9% 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 August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% 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 August 2026, the average price was $1.82. 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 August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 80% 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 August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 16% higher than in 1985.

How much is $1 from 1985 worth today?

$1 in 1985 has about the same buying power as $3.11 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 August 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

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 1985
Dozen eggs$0.80 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.20 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.55 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.24 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.58 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $311.32