Prices are now 2.3x higher than in 1993
In 1993, a dozen eggs cost $0.91, a gallon of gas cost $1.11 and a pound of white bread cost $0.75.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1993 costs about $231.82 today. The inflation rate in 1993 was 3.0%, and total inflation from 1993 to August 2026 was 132%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1993 was for heating oil (up 135%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 36%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.91 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.20 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.57 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $231.82 |
Biggest price changes since 1993
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1993 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 132% between 1993 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 132% inflation between 1993 and August 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil445% higher135% higherWas $0.94 in 1993, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.19 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
- Ground beef341% higher90% higherWas $1.57 in 1993, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.64 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
- Gasoline, midgrade295% higher71% higherWas $1.19 in 1993, now $4.69 per gallonWas $2.75 in today's dollars, now $4.69 per gallon
- Gasoline, premium294% higher70% higherWas $1.30 in 1993, now $5.13 per gallonWas $3.02 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean286% higher67% higherWas $2.22 in 1993, now $8.57 per lbWas $5.15 in today's dollars, now $8.57 per lb
Less inflation
- Bananas49% higher36% lowerWas $0.44 in 1993, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.02 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
- Chicken legs51% higher35% lowerWas $1.10 in 1993, now $1.67 per lbWas $2.56 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
- American cheese53% higher34% lowerWas $3.09 in 1993, now $4.75 per lbWas $7.17 in today's dollars, now $4.75 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni66% higher28% lowerWas $0.83 in 1993, now $1.37 per lbWas $1.91 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
- Cheddar cheese79% higher23% lowerWas $3.34 in 1993, now $5.98 per lbWas $7.75 in today's dollars, now $5.98 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1993
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1993, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 1993 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1993$1.111993, adjusted$2.57 | Today$4.20 | Change279% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1993$1.191993, adjusted$2.75 | Today$4.69 | Change295% higherAfter inflation71% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1993$1.301993, adjusted$3.02 | Today$5.13 | Change294% higherAfter inflation70% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1993$0.091993, adjusted$0.21 | Today$0.20 | Change114% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1993$0.631993, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.71 | Change170% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1993$0.941993, adjusted$2.19 | Today$5.15 | Change445% higherAfter inflation135% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1993$1.571993, adjusted$3.64 | Today$6.92 | Change341% higherAfter inflation90% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1993$1.941993, adjusted$4.50 | Today$6.77 | Change249% higherAfter inflation50% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1993$2.221993, adjusted$5.15 | Today$8.57 | Change286% higherAfter inflation67% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1993$4.411993, adjusted$10.22 | Today$14.36 | Change226% higherAfter inflation41% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1993$3.401993, adjusted$7.88 | Today$9.69 | Change185% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1993$3.061993, adjusted$7.09 | Today$8.96 | Change193% higherAfter inflation26% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1993$2.531993, adjusted$5.88 | Today$9.45 | Change273% higherAfter inflation61% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1993$2.581993, adjusted$5.99 | Today$8.59 | Change232% higherAfter inflation43% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1993$1.931993, adjusted$4.48 | Today$6.61 | Change242% higherAfter inflation48% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1993$2.731993, adjusted$6.32 | Today$5.38 | Change97% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1993$0.891993, adjusted$2.06 | Today$2.01 | Change126% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1993$1.101993, adjusted$2.56 | Today$1.67 | Change51% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1993$0.911993, adjusted$2.11 | Today$2.27 | Change149% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1993$3.341993, adjusted$7.75 | Today$5.98 | Change79% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1993$3.091993, adjusted$7.17 | Today$4.75 | Change53% higherAfter inflation34% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1993$2.531993, adjusted$5.87 | Today$5.85 | Change131% higherAfter inflationno change |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1993$0.441993, adjusted$1.02 | Today$0.65 | Change49% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1993$0.551993, adjusted$1.27 | Today$1.71 | Change211% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1993$0.531993, adjusted$1.23 | Today$1.60 | Change203% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1993$1.081993, adjusted$2.51 | Today$2.11 | Change95% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1993$1.121993, adjusted$2.59 | Today$2.58 | Change130% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1993$1.081993, adjusted$2.51 | Today$1.98 | Change82% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1993$0.351993, adjusted$0.81 | Today$0.98 | Change180% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1993$0.661993, adjusted$1.52 | Today$1.47 | Change124% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1993$0.751993, adjusted$1.74 | Today$1.82 | Change142% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1993$0.231993, adjusted$0.54 | Today$0.55 | Change134% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Riceper lb | 1993$0.511993, adjusted$1.19 | Today$1.11 | Change117% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1993$0.831993, adjusted$1.91 | Today$1.37 | Change66% higherAfter inflation28% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1993$0.411993, adjusted$0.94 | Today$1.02 | Change153% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1993$2.461993, adjusted$5.70 | Today$5.21 | Change112% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1993$2.881993, adjusted$6.68 | Today$6.75 | Change134% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1993$2.471993, adjusted$5.73 | Today$9.30 | Change276% higherAfter inflation62% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1993?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.91 in 1993. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 8% higher than in 1993.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1993?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.11 in 1993. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 64% higher than in 1993.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1993?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.75 in 1993. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% higher than in 1993.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1993?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.57 in 1993. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 90% higher than in 1993.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1993?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.47 in 1993. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 62% higher than in 1993.
How much is $1 from 1993 worth today?
$1 in 1993 has about the same buying power as $2.32 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1993?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1993 was 3.0%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1992 to 1993.
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 1993 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.
To adjust 1993 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1993 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
| Dozen eggs | $0.91 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.20 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.57 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $231.82 |