Prices are now 2.7x higher than in 1989
In 1989, a dozen eggs cost $1.00, a gallon of gas cost $1.02 and a pound of white bread cost $0.67.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1989 costs about $271.73 today. The inflation rate in 1989 was 4.8%, and total inflation from 1989 to September 2026 was 172%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1989 was for heating oil (up 146%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 47%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.00 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.02 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.67 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.44 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.07 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $271.73 |
Biggest price changes since 1989
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1989 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 172% between 1989 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 172% inflation between 1989 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil567% higher146% higherWas $0.89 in 1989, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.41 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef372% higher74% higherWas $1.44 in 1989, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.91 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Gasoline, premium353% higher67% higherWas $1.20 in 1989, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.25 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular338% higher61% higherWas $1.02 in 1989, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.78 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
- Chuck roast296% higher46% higherWas $2.32 in 1989, now $9.19 per lbWas $6.30 in today's dollars, now $9.19 per lb
Less inflation
- Chicken legs44% higher47% lowerWas $1.21 in 1989, now $1.74 per lbWas $3.28 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Bananas46% higher46% lowerWas $0.45 in 1989, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.22 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni59% higher42% lowerWas $0.87 in 1989, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.35 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- American cheese62% higher40% lowerWas $2.93 in 1989, now $4.74 per lbWas $7.96 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Cheddar cheese91% higher30% lowerWas $3.20 in 1989, now $6.13 per lbWas $8.70 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1989
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1989, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1989 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1989$1.021989, adjusted$2.78 | Today$4.48 | Change338% higherAfter inflation61% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1989$1.201989, adjusted$3.25 | Today$5.43 | Change353% higherAfter inflation67% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1989$0.081989, adjusted$0.22 | Today$0.20 | Change140% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1989$0.591989, adjusted$1.60 | Today$1.70 | Change188% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1989$0.891989, adjusted$2.41 | Today$5.92 | Change567% higherAfter inflation146% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1989$1.441989, adjusted$3.91 | Today$6.79 | Change372% higherAfter inflation74% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1989$1.831989, adjusted$4.96 | Today$6.48 | Change255% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1989$3.931989, adjusted$10.67 | Today$14.11 | Change259% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1989$3.121989, adjusted$8.47 | Today$9.84 | Change216% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1989$2.761989, adjusted$7.49 | Today$8.80 | Change219% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1989$2.321989, adjusted$6.30 | Today$9.19 | Change296% higherAfter inflation46% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1989$1.771989, adjusted$4.80 | Today$6.76 | Change282% higherAfter inflation41% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1989$0.931989, adjusted$2.52 | Today$2.06 | Change123% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1989$1.211989, adjusted$3.28 | Today$1.74 | Change44% higherAfter inflation47% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1989$1.001989, adjusted$2.71 | Today$2.27 | Change128% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1989$3.201989, adjusted$8.70 | Today$6.13 | Change91% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1989$2.931989, adjusted$7.96 | Today$4.74 | Change62% higherAfter inflation40% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1989$2.601989, adjusted$7.06 | Today$5.93 | Change128% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1989$0.451989, adjusted$1.22 | Today$0.66 | Change46% higherAfter inflation46% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1989$0.521989, adjusted$1.40 | Today$1.72 | Change234% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1989$0.531989, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.62 | Change209% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1989$1.001989, adjusted$2.70 | Today$2.13 | Change114% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1989$1.041989, adjusted$2.82 | Today$2.84 | Change174% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1989$0.911989, adjusted$2.48 | Today$1.99 | Change118% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1989$0.341989, adjusted$0.93 | Today$0.99 | Change189% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1989$0.601989, adjusted$1.64 | Today$1.64 | Change170% higherAfter inflationno change |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1989$0.671989, adjusted$1.81 | Today$1.83 | Change175% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1989$0.241989, adjusted$0.66 | Today$0.55 | Change123% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1989$0.501989, adjusted$1.35 | Today$1.12 | Change124% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1989$0.871989, adjusted$2.35 | Today$1.38 | Change59% higherAfter inflation42% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1989$0.401989, adjusted$1.09 | Today$1.02 | Change155% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1989$2.381989, adjusted$6.47 | Today$5.15 | Change116% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1989$2.861989, adjusted$7.77 | Today$6.67 | Change133% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19891989 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1989$3.071989, adjusted$8.35 | Today$9.33 | Change204% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1989?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.00 in 1989. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 16% lower than in 1989.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1989?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.02 in 1989. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 61% higher than in 1989.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1989?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.67 in 1989. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 1% higher than in 1989.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1989?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.44 in 1989. In September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 74% higher than in 1989.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1989?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $3.07 in 1989. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% higher than in 1989.
How much is $1 from 1989 worth today?
$1 in 1989 has about the same buying power as $2.72 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1989?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1989 was 4.8%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1988 to 1989.
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 1989 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1989 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1989 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.00 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.02 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.67 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.44 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.07 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $271.73 |