Prices in 1990 vs. today

Prices are now 2.6x higher than in 1990

In 1990, a dozen eggs cost $1.01, a gallon of gas cost $1.16 and a pound of white bread cost $0.69.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1990 costs about $256.30 today. The inflation rate in 1990 was 5.4%, and total inflation from 1990 to August 2026 was 156%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1990 was for heating oil (up 85%), and the biggest drop was for chicken legs (down 45%).

What things cost in 1990
Dozen eggs$1.01 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.16 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.69 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.59 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.97 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $256.30

Biggest price changes since 1990

The lists below break down price changes by item.

Each list shows average prices in 1990 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 156% between 1990 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 156% inflation between 1990 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Heating oil373% higher85% higher
    Was $1.09 in 1990, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.79 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Ground beef336% higher70% higher
    Was $1.59 in 1990, now $6.92 per lbWas $4.07 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
  • Gasoline, premium281% higher49% higher
    Was $1.35 in 1990, now $5.13 per gallonWas $3.46 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
  • Chuck roast280% higher48% higher
    Was $2.49 in 1990, now $9.45 per lbWas $6.37 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb
  • Gasoline, regular261% higher41% higher
    Was $1.16 in 1990, now $4.20 per gallonWas $2.98 in today's dollars, now $4.20 per gallon

Less inflation

  • Chicken legs40% higher45% lower
    Was $1.19 in 1990, now $1.67 per lbWas $3.05 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
  • Bananas41% higher45% lower
    Was $0.46 in 1990, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.19 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
  • Spaghetti & macaroni61% higher37% lower
    Was $0.85 in 1990, now $1.37 per lbWas $2.19 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
  • Tomatoes83% higher29% lower
    Was $1.08 in 1990, now $1.98 per lbWas $2.77 in today's dollars, now $1.98 per lb
  • Lemons97% higher23% lower
    Was $1.07 in 1990, now $2.11 per lbWas $2.75 in today's dollars, now $2.11 per lb

Food and energy prices in 1990

These are the average prices Americans paid in 1990, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 1990 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon1990$1.161990, adjusted$2.98Today$4.20Change261% higherAfter inflation41% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon1990$1.351990, adjusted$3.46Today$5.13Change281% higherAfter inflation49% higher
Electricityper kWh1990$0.081990, adjusted$0.21Today$0.20Change134% higherAfter inflation9% lower
Natural gas (piped)per therm1990$0.591990, adjusted$1.51Today$1.71Change191% higherAfter inflation14% higher
Heating oilper gallon1990$1.091990, adjusted$2.79Today$5.15Change373% higherAfter inflation85% higher

Meat & poultry

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb1990$1.591990, adjusted$4.07Today$6.92Change336% higherAfter inflation70% higher
Ground chuck per lb1990$1.971990, adjusted$5.04Today$6.77Change244% higherAfter inflation34% higher
Sirloin steak per lb1990$4.131990, adjusted$10.58Today$14.36Change248% higherAfter inflation36% higher
Round steak per lb1990$3.321990, adjusted$8.52Today$9.69Change192% higherAfter inflation14% higher
Round roast per lb1990$2.931990, adjusted$7.51Today$8.96Change206% higherAfter inflation19% higher
Chuck roast per lb1990$2.491990, adjusted$6.37Today$9.45Change280% higherAfter inflation48% higher
Baconper lb1990$2.121990, adjusted$5.45Today$6.61Change211% higherAfter inflation21% higher
Whole chickenper lb1990$0.901990, adjusted$2.30Today$2.01Change124% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Chicken legs per lb1990$1.191990, adjusted$3.05Today$1.67Change40% higherAfter inflation45% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen1990$1.011990, adjusted$2.60Today$2.27Change124% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon1990$2.601990, adjusted$6.68Today$5.85Change125% higherAfter inflation12% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb1990$0.461990, adjusted$1.19Today$0.65Change41% higherAfter inflation45% lower
Navel orangesper lb1990$0.571990, adjusted$1.46Today$1.71Change200% higherAfter inflation17% higher
Grapefruit per lb1990$0.661990, adjusted$1.68Today$1.60Change144% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Lemons per lb1990$1.071990, adjusted$2.75Today$2.11Change97% higherAfter inflation23% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz1990$1.141990, adjusted$2.92Today$2.58Change126% higherAfter inflation12% lower
Tomatoesper lb1990$1.081990, adjusted$2.77Today$1.98Change83% higherAfter inflation29% lower
Potatoesper lb1990$0.371990, adjusted$0.95Today$0.98Change163% higherAfter inflation3% higher
Iceberg lettuceper lb1990$0.581990, adjusted$1.48Today$1.47Change155% higherAfter inflation1% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb1990$0.691990, adjusted$1.78Today$1.82Change162% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Flour per lb1990$0.251990, adjusted$0.64Today$0.55Change119% higherAfter inflation14% lower
Riceper lb1990$0.501990, adjusted$1.27Today$1.11Change124% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb1990$0.851990, adjusted$2.19Today$1.37Change61% higherAfter inflation37% lower
Sugar per lb1990$0.431990, adjusted$1.10Today$1.02Change139% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb1990$2.611990, adjusted$6.70Today$5.21Change100% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Potato chipsper 16 oz1990$2.961990, adjusted$7.58Today$6.75Change128% higherAfter inflation11% lower

Drinks

Item19901990 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb1990$2.971990, adjusted$7.60Today$9.30Change213% higherAfter inflation22% higher

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1990?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.01 in 1990. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% lower than in 1990.

How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1990?

A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.16 in 1990. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 41% higher than in 1990.

How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1990?

A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.69 in 1990. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% higher than in 1990.

How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1990?

A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.59 in 1990. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 70% higher than in 1990.

How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1990?

A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.97 in 1990. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 22% higher than in 1990.

How much is $1 from 1990 worth today?

$1 in 1990 has about the same buying power as $2.56 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

What was the inflation rate in 1990?

The U.S. inflation rate in 1990 was 5.4%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1989 to 1990.

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 1990 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.

To adjust 1990 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1990 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 1990
Dozen eggs$1.01 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.16 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.69 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.59 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.97 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $256.30