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 $247.39 today. The inflation rate in 1991 was 4.2%, and total inflation from 1991 to September 2026 was 147%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1991 was for heating oil (up 135%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 45%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.99 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.14 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.71 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.60 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.81 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $247.39 |
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 147% between 1991 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 147% inflation between 1991 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil482% higher135% higherWas $1.02 in 1991, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.52 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef326% higher72% higherWas $1.60 in 1991, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.95 in today's dollars, now $6.79 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, regular293% higher59% higherWas $1.14 in 1991, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.82 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean292% higher58% higherWas $2.16 in 1991, now $8.46 per lbWas $5.35 in today's dollars, now $8.46 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 cheese38% higher44% lowerWas $3.44 in 1991, now $4.74 per lbWas $8.50 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Chicken legs51% higher39% lowerWas $1.15 in 1991, now $1.74 per lbWas $2.86 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni58% 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 $8.79 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 September 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$2.82 | Today$4.48 | Change293% higherAfter inflation59% 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$0.20 | Change126% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1991$0.601991, adjusted$1.48 | Today$1.70 | Change185% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1991$1.021991, adjusted$2.52 | Today$5.92 | Change482% higherAfter inflation135% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1991$1.601991, adjusted$3.95 | Today$6.79 | Change326% higherAfter inflation72% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1991$1.971991, adjusted$4.87 | Today$6.48 | Change229% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1991$2.161991, adjusted$5.35 | Today$8.46 | Change292% higherAfter inflation58% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1991$4.291991, adjusted$10.61 | Today$14.11 | Change229% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1991$3.411991, adjusted$8.43 | Today$9.84 | Change189% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1991$3.021991, adjusted$7.48 | Today$8.80 | Change191% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1991$2.561991, adjusted$6.33 | Today$9.19 | Change259% higherAfter inflation45% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1991$2.591991, adjusted$6.42 | Today$8.53 | Change229% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1991$2.221991, adjusted$5.49 | Today$6.76 | Change204% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1991$2.911991, adjusted$7.19 | Today$5.45 | Change88% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1991$0.881991, adjusted$2.18 | Today$2.06 | Change134% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1991$1.151991, adjusted$2.86 | Today$1.74 | 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$2.27 | Change130% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1991$3.551991, adjusted$8.79 | Today$6.13 | Change73% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1991$3.441991, adjusted$8.50 | Today$4.74 | Change38% higherAfter inflation44% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1991$2.581991, adjusted$6.38 | Today$5.93 | Change130% higherAfter inflation7% 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 |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1991$0.781991, adjusted$1.94 | Today$1.72 | Change120% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1991$0.621991, adjusted$1.53 | Today$1.62 | Change163% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1991$1.231991, adjusted$3.04 | Today$2.13 | Change73% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1991$1.081991, adjusted$2.67 | Today$2.84 | Change163% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1991$1.011991, adjusted$2.49 | Today$1.99 | Change98% higherAfter inflation20% 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$1.64 | Change171% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1991$0.711991, adjusted$1.76 | Today$1.83 | Change158% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1991$0.231991, adjusted$0.58 | Today$0.55 | Change133% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1991$0.501991, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.12 | Change122% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1991$0.871991, adjusted$2.15 | Today$1.38 | Change58% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1991$0.431991, adjusted$1.06 | Today$1.02 | Change138% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1991$2.691991, adjusted$6.66 | Today$5.15 | Change91% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1991$2.961991, adjusted$7.33 | Today$6.67 | Change125% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19911991 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1991$2.811991, adjusted$6.95 | Today$9.33 | Change232% higherAfter inflation34% 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 September 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 59% 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. 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 September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 72% 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 September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 34% higher than in 1991.
How much is $1 from 1991 worth today?
$1 in 1991 has about the same buying power as $2.47 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 September 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 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.14 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.71 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.60 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.81 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $247.39 |