Prices are now 2.5x higher than in 1991
In 1991, a dozen eggs cost $0.99, a gallon of gas cost $1.14 and a pound of white bread cost $0.71.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1991 costs about $247.81 today. The inflation rate in 1991 was 4.2%, and total inflation from 1991 to October 2026 was 148%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1991 was for heating oil (up 142%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 45%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.99 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.14 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.71 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.60 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.81 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $247.81 |
Biggest price changes since 1991
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1991 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 148% between 1991 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 148% inflation between 1991 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil500% higher142% higherWas $1.02 in 1991, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.52 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Ground beef323% higher71% higherWas $1.60 in 1991, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.95 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Gasoline, premium311% higher66% higherWas $1.32 in 1991, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.27 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular291% higher58% higherWas $1.14 in 1991, now $4.45 per gallonWas $2.83 in today's dollars, now $4.45 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean289% higher57% higherWas $2.16 in 1991, now $8.40 per lbWas $5.35 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
Less inflation
- Bananas36% higher45% lowerWas $0.48 in 1991, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.19 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- American cheese37% higher45% lowerWas $3.44 in 1991, now $4.71 per lbWas $8.52 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Chicken legs51% higher39% lowerWas $1.15 in 1991, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.86 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni59% higher36% lowerWas $0.87 in 1991, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.15 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese73% higher30% lowerWas $3.55 in 1991, now $6.13 per lbWas $8.80 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1991
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1991, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 1991 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1991$1.141991, adjusted$2.83 | Today$4.45 | Change291% higherAfter inflation58% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1991$1.321991, adjusted$3.27 | Today$5.43 | Change311% higherAfter inflation66% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1991$0.091991, adjusted$0.21 | Today$0.19 | Change119% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1991$0.601991, adjusted$1.48 | Today$1.69 | Change183% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1991$1.021991, adjusted$2.52 | Today$6.11 | Change500% higherAfter inflation142% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1991$1.601991, adjusted$3.95 | Today$6.76 | Change323% higherAfter inflation71% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1991$1.971991, adjusted$4.88 | Today$6.73 | Change242% higherAfter inflation38% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1991$2.161991, adjusted$5.35 | Today$8.40 | Change289% higherAfter inflation57% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1991$4.291991, adjusted$10.63 | Today$13.85 | Change223% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1991$3.411991, adjusted$8.44 | Today$10.11 | Change197% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1991$3.021991, adjusted$7.49 | Today$8.37 | Change177% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1991$2.561991, adjusted$6.34 | Today$9.08 | Change255% higherAfter inflation43% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1991$2.591991, adjusted$6.43 | Today$8.67 | Change234% higherAfter inflation35% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1991$2.221991, adjusted$5.50 | Today$6.69 | Change201% higherAfter inflation22% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1991$2.911991, adjusted$7.20 | Today$5.26 | Change81% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1991$0.881991, adjusted$2.18 | Today$2.03 | Change130% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1991$1.151991, adjusted$2.86 | Today$1.75 | Change51% higherAfter inflation39% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1991$0.991991, adjusted$2.45 | Today$2.32 | Change135% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1991$3.551991, adjusted$8.80 | Today$6.13 | Change73% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1991$3.441991, adjusted$8.52 | Today$4.71 | Change37% higherAfter inflation45% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1991$2.581991, adjusted$6.39 | Today$6.03 | Change134% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1991$0.481991, adjusted$1.19 | Today$0.66 | Change36% higherAfter inflation45% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1991$1.231991, adjusted$3.04 | Today$2.14 | Change75% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1991$1.081991, adjusted$2.67 | Today$2.81 | Change160% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1991$1.011991, adjusted$2.49 | Today$2.08 | Change107% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1991$0.331991, adjusted$0.82 | Today$0.99 | Change200% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1991$0.601991, adjusted$1.50 | Today$1.96 | Change224% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1991$0.711991, adjusted$1.76 | Today$1.86 | Change162% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1991$0.231991, adjusted$0.58 | Today$0.54 | Change129% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1991$0.501991, adjusted$1.25 | Today$1.10 | Change119% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1991$0.871991, adjusted$2.15 | Today$1.38 | Change59% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1991$0.431991, adjusted$1.06 | Today$1.00 | Change134% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1991$2.691991, adjusted$6.67 | Today$5.25 | Change95% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1991$2.961991, adjusted$7.34 | Today$6.64 | Change124% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1991$2.811991, adjusted$6.96 | Today$9.25 | Change229% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1991?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.99 in 1991. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% lower than in 1991.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1991?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.14 in 1991. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 58% higher than in 1991.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1991?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.71 in 1991. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% higher than in 1991.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1991?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.60 in 1991. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 71% higher than in 1991.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1991?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.81 in 1991. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 33% higher than in 1991.
How much is $1 from 1991 worth today?
$1 in 1991 has about the same buying power as $2.48 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1991?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1991 was 4.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1990 to 1991.
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 1991 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 1991 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1991 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.99 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.14 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.71 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.60 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.81 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $247.81 |