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 $240.56 today. The inflation rate in 1992 was 3.0%, and total inflation from 1992 to October 2026 was 141%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1992 was for heating oil (up 164%), and the biggest drop was for american cheese (down 41%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.86 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.13 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.54 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $240.56 |
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 141% between 1992 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 141% inflation between 1992 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil536% higher164% higherWas $0.96 in 1992, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.31 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Ground beef338% higher82% higherWas $1.54 in 1992, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.71 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Gasoline, premium313% higher72% higherWas $1.32 in 1992, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.17 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular295% higher64% higherWas $1.13 in 1992, now $4.45 per gallonWas $2.71 in today's dollars, now $4.45 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean290% higher62% higherWas $2.15 in 1992, now $8.40 per lbWas $5.18 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
Less inflation
- American cheese42% higher41% lowerWas $3.32 in 1992, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.98 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Bananas43% higher41% lowerWas $0.46 in 1992, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.10 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Chicken legs56% higher35% lowerWas $1.12 in 1992, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.69 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni61% higher33% lowerWas $0.86 in 1992, now $1.38 per lbWas $2.06 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese72% higher29% lowerWas $3.57 in 1992, now $6.13 per lbWas $8.59 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 October 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$4.45 | Change295% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1992$1.321992, adjusted$3.17 | Today$5.43 | Change313% higherAfter inflation72% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1992$0.091992, adjusted$0.21 | Today$0.19 | Change116% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1992$0.601992, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.69 | Change184% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1992$0.961992, adjusted$2.31 | Today$6.11 | Change536% higherAfter inflation164% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1992$1.541992, adjusted$3.71 | Today$6.76 | Change338% higherAfter inflation82% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1992$1.911992, adjusted$4.60 | Today$6.73 | Change252% higherAfter inflation46% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1992$2.151992, adjusted$5.18 | Today$8.40 | Change290% higherAfter inflation62% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1992$4.221992, adjusted$10.16 | Today$13.85 | Change228% higherAfter inflation36% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1992$3.381992, adjusted$8.14 | Today$10.11 | Change199% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1992$2.981992, adjusted$7.18 | Today$8.37 | Change180% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1992$2.501992, adjusted$6.02 | Today$9.08 | Change263% higherAfter inflation51% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.20 | Today$8.67 | Change237% higherAfter inflation40% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1992$1.921992, adjusted$4.61 | Today$6.69 | Change249% higherAfter inflation45% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1992$2.751992, adjusted$6.61 | Today$5.26 | Change91% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1992$0.871992, adjusted$2.09 | Today$2.03 | Change133% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1992$1.121992, adjusted$2.69 | Today$1.75 | Change56% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1992$0.861992, adjusted$2.07 | Today$2.32 | Change170% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1992$3.571992, adjusted$8.59 | Today$6.13 | Change72% higherAfter inflation29% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1992$3.321992, adjusted$7.98 | Today$4.71 | Change42% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.21 | Today$6.03 | Change133% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1992$0.461992, adjusted$1.10 | Today$0.66 | Change43% higherAfter inflation41% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1992$1.011992, adjusted$2.42 | Today$2.14 | Change113% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1992$1.141992, adjusted$2.75 | Today$2.81 | Change146% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1992$1.091992, adjusted$2.63 | Today$2.08 | Change90% higherAfter inflation21% 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$1.96 | Change240% higherAfter inflation41% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1992$0.751992, adjusted$1.80 | Today$1.86 | Change148% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1992$0.241992, adjusted$0.58 | Today$0.54 | Change121% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1992$0.531992, adjusted$1.27 | Today$1.10 | Change109% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1992$0.861992, adjusted$2.06 | Today$1.38 | Change61% higherAfter inflation33% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1992$0.421992, adjusted$1.00 | Today$1.00 | Change141% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1992$2.771992, adjusted$6.67 | Today$5.25 | Change89% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1992$2.901992, adjusted$6.97 | Today$6.64 | Change129% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19921992 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1992$2.581992, adjusted$6.20 | Today$9.25 | Change259% higherAfter inflation49% 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 October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% 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 October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 64% 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 October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 3% 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 October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 82% 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 October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 49% higher than in 1992.
How much is $1 from 1992 worth today?
$1 in 1992 has about the same buying power as $2.41 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 October 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 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.13 → $4.45 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.54 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.58 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $240.56 |