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 $313.67 today. The inflation rate in 1985 was 3.6%, and total inflation from 1985 to October 2026 was 214%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1985 was for heating oil (up 81%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 48%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.80 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.20 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.24 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $313.67 |
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 214% between 1985 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 214% inflation between 1985 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil466% higher81% higherWas $1.08 in 1985, now $6.11 per gallonWas $3.38 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Ground beef446% higher74% higherWas $1.24 in 1985, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.88 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Gasoline, premium305% higher29% higherWas $1.34 in 1985, now $5.43 per gallonWas $4.20 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Ground chuck301% higher28% higherWas $1.68 in 1985, now $6.73 per lbWas $5.26 in today's dollars, now $6.73 per lb
- Gasoline, regular271% higher18% higherWas $1.20 in 1985, now $4.45 per gallonWas $3.77 in today's dollars, now $4.45 per gallon
Less inflation
- Chicken legs62% higher48% lowerWas $1.08 in 1985, now $1.75 per lbWas $3.38 in today's dollars, now $1.75 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
- American cheese86% higher41% lowerWas $2.53 in 1985, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.94 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni87% higher40% lowerWas $0.74 in 1985, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.32 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese98% higher37% lowerWas $3.09 in 1985, now $6.13 per lbWas $9.70 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 October 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$3.77 | Today$4.45 | Change271% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1985$1.341985, adjusted$4.20 | Today$5.43 | Change305% higherAfter inflation29% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1985$0.081985, adjusted$0.25 | Today$0.19 | Change134% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1985$0.631985, adjusted$1.98 | Today$1.69 | Change168% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.38 | Today$6.11 | Change466% higherAfter inflation81% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1985$1.241985, adjusted$3.88 | Today$6.76 | Change446% higherAfter inflation74% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1985$1.681985, adjusted$5.26 | Today$6.73 | Change301% higherAfter inflation28% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1985$2.821985, adjusted$8.85 | Today$10.11 | Change258% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1985$2.461985, adjusted$7.73 | Today$8.37 | Change239% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.08 | Today$6.69 | Change245% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1985$0.761985, adjusted$2.39 | Today$2.03 | Change165% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1985$1.081985, adjusted$3.38 | Today$1.75 | 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$2.32 | Change189% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1985$3.091985, adjusted$9.70 | Today$6.13 | Change98% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1985$2.531985, adjusted$7.94 | Today$4.71 | Change86% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1985$2.301985, adjusted$7.21 | Today$6.03 | Change162% higherAfter inflation16% 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 |
| Lemons per lb | 1985$0.931985, adjusted$2.91 | Today$2.14 | Change131% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1985$0.831985, adjusted$2.61 | Today$2.81 | Change237% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1985$0.781985, adjusted$2.44 | Today$2.08 | Change168% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1985$0.541985, adjusted$1.69 | Today$1.96 | Change264% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1985$0.551985, adjusted$1.74 | Today$1.86 | Change236% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1985$0.211985, adjusted$0.66 | Today$0.54 | Change153% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1985$0.471985, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.10 | Change134% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1985$0.741985, adjusted$2.32 | Today$1.38 | Change87% higherAfter inflation40% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1985$0.351985, adjusted$1.11 | Today$1.00 | Change183% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1985$1.941985, adjusted$6.08 | Today$5.25 | Change171% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1985$2.611985, adjusted$8.17 | Today$6.64 | Change155% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19851985 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1985$2.581985, adjusted$8.09 | Today$9.25 | Change258% higherAfter inflation14% 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 October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 8% 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 October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 18% 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 October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% 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 October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 74% 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 October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 14% higher than in 1985.
How much is $1 from 1985 worth today?
$1 in 1985 has about the same buying power as $3.14 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 October 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 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.20 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.24 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $313.67 |