Prices are now 2.3x higher than in 1994
In 1994, a dozen eggs cost $0.86, a gallon of gas cost $1.11 and a pound of white bread cost $0.76.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1994 costs about $227.35 today. The inflation rate in 1994 was 2.6%, and total inflation from 1994 to September 2026 was 127%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1994 was for heating oil (up 184%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 38%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.86 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.76 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.48 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.40 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $227.35 |
Biggest price changes since 1994
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1994 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 127% between 1994 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 127% inflation between 1994 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil546% higher184% higherWas $0.92 in 1994, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.08 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef360% higher102% higherWas $1.48 in 1994, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.36 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Gasoline, premium316% higher83% higherWas $1.30 in 1994, now $5.43 per gallonWas $2.97 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, midgrade306% higher79% higherWas $1.22 in 1994, now $4.96 per gallonWas $2.77 in today's dollars, now $4.96 per gallon
- Gasoline, regular303% higher77% higherWas $1.11 in 1994, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.53 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
Less inflation
- Bananas42% higher38% lowerWas $0.46 in 1994, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.05 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Chicken legs54% higher32% lowerWas $1.13 in 1994, now $1.74 per lbWas $2.57 in today's dollars, now $1.74 per lb
- American cheese54% higher32% lowerWas $3.07 in 1994, now $4.74 per lbWas $6.98 in today's dollars, now $4.74 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni59% higher30% lowerWas $0.87 in 1994, now $1.38 per lbWas $1.97 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Cheddar cheese83% higher19% lowerWas $3.35 in 1994, now $6.13 per lbWas $7.62 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1994
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1994, next to what the same items cost in September 2026.These 1994 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1994$1.111994, adjusted$2.53 | Today$4.48 | Change303% higherAfter inflation77% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1994$1.221994, adjusted$2.77 | Today$4.96 | Change306% higherAfter inflation79% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1994$1.301994, adjusted$2.97 | Today$5.43 | Change316% higherAfter inflation83% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1994$0.091994, adjusted$0.21 | Today$0.20 | Change113% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1994$0.651994, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.70 | Change162% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1994$0.921994, adjusted$2.08 | Today$5.92 | Change546% higherAfter inflation184% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1994$1.481994, adjusted$3.36 | Today$6.79 | Change360% higherAfter inflation102% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1994$1.861994, adjusted$4.22 | Today$6.48 | Change249% higherAfter inflation54% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1994$2.181994, adjusted$4.96 | Today$8.46 | Change288% higherAfter inflation71% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1994$4.251994, adjusted$9.67 | Today$14.11 | Change232% higherAfter inflation46% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1994$3.251994, adjusted$7.40 | Today$9.84 | Change202% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1994$2.981994, adjusted$6.78 | Today$8.80 | Change195% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1994$2.451994, adjusted$5.56 | Today$9.19 | Change276% higherAfter inflation65% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1994$2.531994, adjusted$5.76 | Today$8.53 | Change237% higherAfter inflation48% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1994$1.991994, adjusted$4.52 | Today$6.76 | Change240% higherAfter inflation49% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1994$2.611994, adjusted$5.93 | Today$5.45 | Change109% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1994$0.901994, adjusted$2.05 | Today$2.06 | Change129% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1994$1.131994, adjusted$2.57 | Today$1.74 | Change54% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1994$0.861994, adjusted$1.96 | Today$2.27 | Change163% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1994$3.351994, adjusted$7.62 | Today$6.13 | Change83% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1994$3.071994, adjusted$6.98 | Today$4.74 | Change54% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1994$2.631994, adjusted$5.97 | Today$5.93 | Change126% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1994$0.461994, adjusted$1.05 | Today$0.66 | Change42% higherAfter inflation38% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1994$0.551994, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.72 | Change216% higherAfter inflation39% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1994$0.511994, adjusted$1.17 | Today$1.62 | Change217% higherAfter inflation39% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1994$1.111994, adjusted$2.52 | Today$2.13 | Change92% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1994$1.131994, adjusted$2.58 | Today$2.84 | Change150% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1994$1.091994, adjusted$2.47 | Today$1.99 | Change83% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1994$0.371994, adjusted$0.85 | Today$0.99 | Change164% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1994$0.611994, adjusted$1.38 | Today$1.64 | Change169% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1994$0.761994, adjusted$1.73 | Today$1.83 | Change141% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1994$0.231994, adjusted$0.53 | Today$0.55 | Change136% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Riceper lb | 1994$0.551994, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.12 | Change104% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1994$0.871994, adjusted$1.97 | Today$1.38 | Change59% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1994$0.401994, adjusted$0.91 | Today$1.02 | Change155% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1994$2.541994, adjusted$5.78 | Today$5.15 | Change102% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1994$2.971994, adjusted$6.76 | Today$6.67 | Change124% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
Drinks
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1994$3.401994, adjusted$7.73 | Today$9.33 | Change174% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1994?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $0.86 in 1994. In September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 16% higher than in 1994.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1994?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.11 in 1994. In September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 77% higher than in 1994.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1994?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.76 in 1994. In September 2026, the average price was $1.83. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% higher than in 1994.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1994?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.48 in 1994. In September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 102% higher than in 1994.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1994?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $3.40 in 1994. In September 2026, the average price was $9.33. After adjusting for inflation, that's 21% higher than in 1994.
How much is $1 from 1994 worth today?
$1 in 1994 has about the same buying power as $2.27 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1994?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1994 was 2.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1993 to 1994.
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 1994 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from September 2026.
To adjust 1994 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1994 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 | $1.11 → $4.48 |
| Pound of bread | $0.76 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.48 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.40 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $227.35 |