Prices in 1991 vs. today

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 $245.95 today. The inflation rate in 1991 was 4.2%, and total inflation from 1991 to August 2026 was 146%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1991 was for heating oil (up 105%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 45%).

What things cost in 1991
Dozen eggs$0.99 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.14 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.71 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.60 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.81 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $245.95

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 146% between 1991 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 146% inflation between 1991 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Heating oil405% higher105% higher
    Was $1.02 in 1991, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.50 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Ground beef334% higher76% higher
    Was $1.60 in 1991, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.92 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
  • Ground beef, lean297% higher61% higher
    Was $2.16 in 1991, now $8.57 per lbWas $5.31 in today's dollars, now $8.57 per lb
  • Gasoline, premium289% higher58% higher
    Was $1.32 in 1991, now $5.13 per gallonWas $3.25 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
  • Chuck roast269% higher50% higher
    Was $2.56 in 1991, now $9.45 per lbWas $6.30 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb

Less inflation

  • Bananas36% higher45% lower
    Was $0.48 in 1991, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.18 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
  • American cheese38% higher44% lower
    Was $3.44 in 1991, now $4.75 per lbWas $8.45 in today's dollars, now $4.75 per lb
  • Chicken legs45% higher41% lower
    Was $1.15 in 1991, now $1.67 per lbWas $2.84 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
  • Spaghetti & macaroni58% higher36% lower
    Was $0.87 in 1991, now $1.37 per lbWas $2.13 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
  • Cheddar cheese68% higher31% lower
    Was $3.55 in 1991, now $5.98 per lbWas $8.73 in today's dollars, now $5.98 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 August 2026.These 1991 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon1991$1.141991, adjusted$2.80Today$4.20Change268% higherAfter inflation50% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon1991$1.321991, adjusted$3.25Today$5.13Change289% higherAfter inflation58% higher
Electricityper kWh1991$0.091991, adjusted$0.21Today$0.20Change126% higherAfter inflation8% lower
Natural gas (piped)per therm1991$0.601991, adjusted$1.47Today$1.71Change187% higherAfter inflation17% higher
Heating oilper gallon1991$1.021991, adjusted$2.50Today$5.15Change405% higherAfter inflation105% higher

Meat & poultry

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb1991$1.601991, adjusted$3.92Today$6.92Change334% higherAfter inflation76% higher
Ground chuck per lb1991$1.971991, adjusted$4.84Today$6.77Change244% higherAfter inflation40% higher
Ground beef, lean per lb1991$2.161991, adjusted$5.31Today$8.57Change297% higherAfter inflation61% higher
Sirloin steak per lb1991$4.291991, adjusted$10.55Today$14.36Change235% higherAfter inflation36% higher
Round steak per lb1991$3.411991, adjusted$8.38Today$9.69Change184% higherAfter inflation16% higher
Round roast per lb1991$3.021991, adjusted$7.43Today$8.96Change196% higherAfter inflation20% higher
Chuck roast per lb1991$2.561991, adjusted$6.30Today$9.45Change269% higherAfter inflation50% higher
Beef stew meat per lb1991$2.591991, adjusted$6.38Today$8.59Change231% higherAfter inflation35% higher
Baconper lb1991$2.221991, adjusted$5.46Today$6.61Change198% higherAfter inflation21% higher
Ham, bonelessper lb1991$2.911991, adjusted$7.15Today$5.38Change85% higherAfter inflation25% lower
Whole chickenper lb1991$0.881991, adjusted$2.17Today$2.01Change129% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Chicken legs per lb1991$1.151991, adjusted$2.84Today$1.67Change45% higherAfter inflation41% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen1991$0.991991, adjusted$2.43Today$2.27Change130% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb1991$3.551991, adjusted$8.73Today$5.98Change68% higherAfter inflation31% lower
American cheese per lb1991$3.441991, adjusted$8.45Today$4.75Change38% higherAfter inflation44% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon1991$2.581991, adjusted$6.34Today$5.85Change127% higherAfter inflation8% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb1991$0.481991, adjusted$1.18Today$0.65Change36% higherAfter inflation45% lower
Navel orangesper lb1991$0.781991, adjusted$1.93Today$1.71Change118% higherAfter inflation11% lower
Grapefruit per lb1991$0.621991, adjusted$1.52Today$1.60Change159% higherAfter inflation5% higher
Lemons per lb1991$1.231991, adjusted$3.02Today$2.11Change72% higherAfter inflation30% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz1991$1.081991, adjusted$2.65Today$2.58Change139% higherAfter inflation3% lower
Tomatoesper lb1991$1.011991, adjusted$2.48Today$1.98Change96% higherAfter inflation20% lower
Potatoesper lb1991$0.331991, adjusted$0.81Today$0.98Change196% higherAfter inflation20% higher
Iceberg lettuceper lb1991$0.601991, adjusted$1.49Today$1.47Change143% higherAfter inflation1% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb1991$0.711991, adjusted$1.75Today$1.82Change157% higherAfter inflation4% higher
Flour per lb1991$0.231991, adjusted$0.57Today$0.55Change135% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Riceper lb1991$0.501991, adjusted$1.24Today$1.11Change121% higherAfter inflation10% lower
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb1991$0.871991, adjusted$2.13Today$1.37Change58% higherAfter inflation36% lower
Sugar per lb1991$0.431991, adjusted$1.05Today$1.02Change139% higherAfter inflation3% lower
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb1991$2.691991, adjusted$6.62Today$5.21Change94% higherAfter inflation21% lower
Potato chipsper 16 oz1991$2.961991, adjusted$7.29Today$6.75Change128% higherAfter inflation7% lower

Drinks

Item19911991 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb1991$2.811991, adjusted$6.91Today$9.30Change231% higherAfter inflation35% 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 August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% 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 August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 50% 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 August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 4% 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 August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 76% 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 August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 35% higher than in 1991.

How much is $1 from 1991 worth today?

$1 in 1991 has about the same buying power as $2.46 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 August 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

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 1991
Dozen eggs$0.99 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$1.14 → $4.20
Pound of bread$0.71 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$1.60 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$2.81 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $245.95