Prices are now 2.4x higher than in 1992
In 1992, a dozen eggs cost $0.86, a gallon of gas cost $1.13 and a pound of white bread cost $0.75.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1992 costs about $240.16 today. The inflation rate in 1992 was 3.0%, and total inflation from 1992 to September 2026 was 140%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1992 was for heating oil (up 157%), and the biggest drop was for american cheese (down 41%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.86 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.13 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.54 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $240.16 |
Biggest price changes since 1992
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1992 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 140% between 1992 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 140% inflation between 1992 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil516% higher157% higherWas $0.96 in 1992, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.31 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef341% higher83% higherWas $1.54 in 1992, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.70 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Gasoline, premium312% higher72% higherWas $1.32 in 1992, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.16 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular298% higher66% higherWas $1.13 in 1992, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.71 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean293% higher63% higherWas $2.15 in 1992, now $8.46 per lbWas $5.17 in today's dollars, now $8.46 per lb
Less inflation
- American cheese43% higher41% lowerWas $3.32 in 1992, now $4.74 per lbWas $7.97 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Bananas43% higher40% lowerWas $0.46 in 1992, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.10 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Chicken legs55% higher35% lowerWas $1.12 in 1992, now $1.74 per lbWas $2.69 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni60% higher33% lowerWas $0.86 in 1992, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.06 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese72% higher28% lowerWas $3.57 in 1992, now $6.13 per lbWas $8.57 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1992
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1992, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1992 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1992$1.131992, adjusted$2.71 | Today$4.48 | Change298% higherAfter inflation66% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1992$1.321992, adjusted$3.16 | Today$5.43 | Change312% higherAfter inflation72% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1992$0.091992, adjusted$0.21 | Today$0.20 | Change123% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1992$0.601992, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.70 | Change185% higherAfter inflation19% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1992$0.961992, adjusted$2.31 | Today$5.92 | Change516% higherAfter inflation157% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1992$1.541992, adjusted$3.70 | Today$6.79 | Change341% higherAfter inflation83% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1992$1.911992, adjusted$4.60 | Today$6.48 | Change239% higherAfter inflation41% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1992$2.151992, adjusted$5.17 | Today$8.46 | Change293% higherAfter inflation63% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1992$4.221992, adjusted$10.14 | Today$14.11 | Change234% higherAfter inflation39% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1992$3.381992, adjusted$8.13 | Today$9.84 | Change191% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1992$2.981992, adjusted$7.16 | Today$8.80 | Change195% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1992$2.501992, adjusted$6.01 | Today$9.19 | Change267% higherAfter inflation53% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.19 | Today$8.53 | Change231% higherAfter inflation38% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1992$1.921992, adjusted$4.60 | Today$6.76 | Change253% higherAfter inflation47% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1992$2.751992, adjusted$6.60 | Today$5.45 | Change98% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1992$0.871992, adjusted$2.09 | Today$2.06 | Change137% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1992$1.121992, adjusted$2.69 | Today$1.74 | Change55% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1992$0.861992, adjusted$2.07 | Today$2.27 | Change164% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1992$3.571992, adjusted$8.57 | Today$6.13 | Change72% higherAfter inflation28% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1992$3.321992, adjusted$7.97 | Today$4.74 | Change43% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.20 | Today$5.93 | Change130% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1992$0.461992, adjusted$1.10 | Today$0.66 | Change43% higherAfter inflation40% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1992$0.571992, adjusted$1.38 | Today$1.72 | Change200% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1992$0.611992, adjusted$1.46 | Today$1.62 | Change167% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1992$1.011992, adjusted$2.42 | Today$2.13 | Change112% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1992$1.141992, adjusted$2.74 | Today$2.84 | Change149% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1992$1.091992, adjusted$2.63 | Today$1.99 | Change82% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1992$0.301992, adjusted$0.73 | Today$0.99 | Change225% higherAfter inflation35% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1992$0.581992, adjusted$1.39 | Today$1.64 | Change184% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1992$0.751992, adjusted$1.80 | Today$1.83 | Change144% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1992$0.241992, adjusted$0.58 | Today$0.55 | Change124% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1992$0.531992, adjusted$1.27 | Today$1.12 | Change112% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1992$0.861992, adjusted$2.06 | Today$1.38 | Change60% higherAfter inflation33% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1992$0.421992, adjusted$1.00 | Today$1.02 | Change145% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1992$2.771992, adjusted$6.66 | Today$5.15 | Change86% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1992$2.901992, adjusted$6.96 | Today$6.67 | Change130% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.19 | Today$9.33 | Change262% higherAfter inflation51% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1992?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.86 in 1992. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 10% higher than in 1992.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1992?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.13 in 1992. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 66% higher than in 1992.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1992?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.75 in 1992. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% higher than in 1992.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1992?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.54 in 1992. In September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 83% higher than in 1992.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1992?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.58 in 1992. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 51% higher than in 1992.
How much is $1 from 1992 worth today?
$1 in 1992 has about the same buying power as $2.40 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1992?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1992 was 3.0%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1991 to 1992.
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 1992 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1992 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1992 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $0.86 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.13 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.54 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $240.16 |