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 $233.18 today. The inflation rate in 1993 was 3.0%, and total inflation from 1993 to September 2026 was 133%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1993 was for heating oil (up 169%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 36%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.91 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.57 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $233.18 |
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 133% between 1993 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 133% inflation between 1993 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil528% higher169% higherWas $0.94 in 1993, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.20 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef333% higher86% higherWas $1.57 in 1993, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.66 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Gasoline, midgrade318% higher79% higherWas $1.19 in 1993, now $4.96 per gallonWas $2.76 in today's dollars, now $4.96 per gallon
- Gasoline, premium317% higher79% higherWas $1.30 in 1993, now $5.43 per gallonWas $3.04 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular305% higher73% higherWas $1.11 in 1993, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.58 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
Less inflation
- Bananas50% higher36% lowerWas $0.44 in 1993, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.02 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- American cheese53% higher34% lowerWas $3.09 in 1993, now $4.74 per lbWas $7.22 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Chicken legs58% higher32% lowerWas $1.10 in 1993, now $1.74 per lbWas $2.57 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni66% higher29% lowerWas $0.83 in 1993, now $1.38 per lbWas $1.93 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese84% higher21% lowerWas $3.34 in 1993, now $6.13 per lbWas $7.79 in today's dollars, now $6.13 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 September 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$2.58 | Today$4.48 | Change305% higherAfter inflation73% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1993$1.191993, adjusted$2.76 | Today$4.96 | Change318% higherAfter inflation79% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1993$1.301993, adjusted$3.04 | Today$5.43 | Change317% higherAfter inflation79% 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$1.48 | Today$1.70 | Change168% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1993$0.941993, adjusted$2.20 | Today$5.92 | Change528% higherAfter inflation169% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1993$1.571993, adjusted$3.66 | Today$6.79 | Change333% higherAfter inflation86% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1993$1.941993, adjusted$4.53 | Today$6.48 | Change234% higherAfter inflation43% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1993$2.221993, adjusted$5.18 | Today$8.46 | Change281% higherAfter inflation63% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1993$4.411993, adjusted$10.28 | Today$14.11 | Change220% higherAfter inflation37% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1993$3.401993, adjusted$7.92 | Today$9.84 | Change190% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1993$3.061993, adjusted$7.13 | Today$8.80 | Change188% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1993$2.531993, adjusted$5.91 | Today$9.19 | Change262% higherAfter inflation55% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1993$2.581993, adjusted$6.03 | Today$8.53 | Change230% higherAfter inflation42% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1993$1.931993, adjusted$4.50 | Today$6.76 | Change250% higherAfter inflation50% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1993$2.731993, adjusted$6.36 | Today$5.45 | Change100% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1993$0.891993, adjusted$2.08 | Today$2.06 | Change132% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1993$1.101993, adjusted$2.57 | Today$1.74 | Change58% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1993$0.911993, adjusted$2.13 | Today$2.27 | Change149% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1993$3.341993, adjusted$7.79 | Today$6.13 | Change84% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1993$3.091993, adjusted$7.22 | Today$4.74 | Change53% higherAfter inflation34% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1993$2.531993, adjusted$5.91 | Today$5.93 | Change134% higherAfter inflationno change |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1993$0.441993, adjusted$1.02 | Today$0.66 | Change50% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1993$0.551993, adjusted$1.28 | Today$1.72 | Change214% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1993$0.531993, adjusted$1.23 | Today$1.62 | Change207% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1993$1.081993, adjusted$2.53 | Today$2.13 | Change96% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1993$1.121993, adjusted$2.61 | Today$2.84 | Change154% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1993$1.081993, adjusted$2.53 | Today$1.99 | Change84% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1993$0.351993, adjusted$0.81 | Today$0.99 | Change184% higherAfter inflation22% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1993$0.661993, adjusted$1.53 | Today$1.64 | Change149% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1993$0.751993, adjusted$1.75 | Today$1.83 | Change143% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1993$0.231993, adjusted$0.55 | Today$0.55 | Change132% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Riceper lb | 1993$0.511993, adjusted$1.19 | Today$1.12 | Change118% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1993$0.831993, adjusted$1.93 | Today$1.38 | Change66% higherAfter inflation29% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1993$0.411993, adjusted$0.95 | Today$1.02 | Change151% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1993$2.461993, adjusted$5.74 | Today$5.15 | Change109% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1993$2.881993, adjusted$6.72 | Today$6.67 | Change131% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19931993 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1993$2.471993, adjusted$5.76 | Today$9.33 | Change278% 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 September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 73% 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 4% 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 September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 86% 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 September 2026, the average price was $9.33. 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 $2.33 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 September 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
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| Dozen eggs | $0.91 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.75 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.57 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.47 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $233.18 |