Prices are now 3.0x higher than in 1987
In 1987, a dozen eggs cost $0.78, a gallon of gas cost $0.95 and a pound of white bread cost $0.55.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1987 costs about $296.60 today. The inflation rate in 1987 was 3.6%, and total inflation from 1987 to September 2026 was 197%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1987 was for heating oil (up 134%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 46%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.78 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $0.95 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.31 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.79 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $296.60 |
Biggest price changes since 1987
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1987 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 197% between 1987 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 197% inflation between 1987 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil595% higher134% higherWas $0.85 in 1987, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.53 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef419% higher75% higherWas $1.31 in 1987, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.89 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Gasoline, premium396% higher67% higherWas $1.09 in 1987, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.24 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular373% higher59% higherWas $0.95 in 1987, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.81 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
- Ground chuck280% higher28% higherWas $1.71 in 1987, now $6.48 per lbWas $5.06 in today's dollars, now $6.48 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs60% higher46% lowerWas $1.08 in 1987, now $1.74 per lbWas $3.22 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- American cheese76% higher41% lowerWas $2.69 in 1987, now $4.74 per lbWas $7.98 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Bananas80% higher39% lowerWas $0.36 in 1987, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.08 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni88% higher37% lowerWas $0.73 in 1987, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.17 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese101% higher32% lowerWas $3.06 in 1987, now $6.13 per lbWas $9.06 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1987
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1987, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1987 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1987$0.951987, adjusted$2.81 | Today$4.48 | Change373% higherAfter inflation59% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1987$1.091987, adjusted$3.24 | Today$5.43 | Change396% higherAfter inflation67% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1987$0.081987, adjusted$0.23 | Today$0.20 | Change148% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1987$0.581987, adjusted$1.71 | Today$1.70 | Change194% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1987$0.851987, adjusted$2.53 | Today$5.92 | Change595% higherAfter inflation134% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1987$1.311987, adjusted$3.89 | Today$6.79 | Change419% higherAfter inflation75% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1987$1.711987, adjusted$5.06 | Today$6.48 | Change280% higherAfter inflation28% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1987$2.891987, adjusted$8.56 | Today$9.84 | Change241% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1987$2.531987, adjusted$7.51 | Today$8.80 | Change247% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1987$2.141987, adjusted$6.35 | Today$6.76 | Change215% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1987$0.781987, adjusted$2.33 | Today$2.06 | Change163% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1987$1.081987, adjusted$3.22 | Today$1.74 | Change60% higherAfter inflation46% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1987$0.781987, adjusted$2.32 | Today$2.27 | Change190% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1987$3.061987, adjusted$9.06 | Today$6.13 | Change101% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1987$2.691987, adjusted$7.98 | Today$4.74 | Change76% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1987$2.461987, adjusted$7.30 | Today$5.93 | Change141% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1987$0.361987, adjusted$1.08 | Today$0.66 | Change80% higherAfter inflation39% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1987$0.541987, adjusted$1.61 | Today$1.72 | Change217% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1987$0.521987, adjusted$1.54 | Today$1.62 | Change213% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1987$0.901987, adjusted$2.66 | Today$2.13 | Change137% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1987$0.961987, adjusted$2.86 | Today$2.84 | Change195% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1987$0.821987, adjusted$2.44 | Today$1.99 | Change142% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1987$0.281987, adjusted$0.82 | Today$0.99 | Change258% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1987$0.621987, adjusted$1.83 | Today$1.64 | Change165% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1987$0.551987, adjusted$1.62 | Today$1.83 | Change234% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1987$0.211987, adjusted$0.61 | Today$0.55 | Change165% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1987$0.401987, adjusted$1.19 | Today$1.12 | Change178% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1987$0.731987, adjusted$2.17 | Today$1.38 | Change88% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1987$0.351987, adjusted$1.05 | Today$1.02 | Change189% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1987$2.001987, adjusted$5.93 | Today$5.15 | Change158% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1987$2.751987, adjusted$8.16 | Today$6.67 | Change142% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19871987 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1987$2.791987, adjusted$8.26 | Today$9.33 | Change235% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1987?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.78 in 1987. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 1987.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1987?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $0.95 in 1987. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 59% higher than in 1987.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1987?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.55 in 1987. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% higher than in 1987.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1987?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.31 in 1987. In September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 75% higher than in 1987.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1987?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.79 in 1987. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% higher than in 1987.
How much is $1 from 1987 worth today?
$1 in 1987 has about the same buying power as $2.97 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1987?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1987 was 3.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1986 to 1987.
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 1987 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1987 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1987 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.78 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $0.95 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.55 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.31 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.79 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $296.60 |