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 $226.03 today. The inflation rate in 1994 was 2.6%, and total inflation from 1994 to August 2026 was 126%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1994 was for heating oil (up 148%), and the biggest drop was for bananas (down 38%).
| Dozen eggs | $0.86 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.20 |
| Pound of bread | $0.76 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.48 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.40 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $226.03 |
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 126% between 1994 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 126% inflation between 1994 and August 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil462% higher148% higherWas $0.92 in 1994, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.07 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
- Ground beef369% higher107% higherWas $1.48 in 1994, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.34 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
- Gasoline, premium294% higher74% higherWas $1.30 in 1994, now $5.13 per gallonWas $2.95 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
- Ground beef, lean293% higher74% higherWas $2.18 in 1994, now $8.57 per lbWas $4.93 in today's dollars, now $8.57 per lb
- Chuck roast286% higher71% higherWas $2.45 in 1994, now $9.45 per lbWas $5.53 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb
Less inflation
- Bananas41% higher38% lowerWas $0.46 in 1994, now $0.65 per lbWas $1.04 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
- Chicken legs48% higher35% lowerWas $1.13 in 1994, now $1.67 per lbWas $2.56 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
- American cheese55% higher32% lowerWas $3.07 in 1994, now $4.75 per lbWas $6.94 in today's dollars, now $4.75 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni59% higher30% lowerWas $0.87 in 1994, now $1.37 per lbWas $1.96 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
- Cheddar cheese79% higher21% lowerWas $3.35 in 1994, now $5.98 per lbWas $7.57 in today's dollars, now $5.98 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 August 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$2.51 | Today$4.20 | Change278% higherAfter inflation67% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1994$1.221994, adjusted$2.76 | Today$4.69 | Change284% higherAfter inflation70% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1994$1.301994, adjusted$2.95 | Today$5.13 | Change294% higherAfter inflation74% 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$1.71 | Change164% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1994$0.921994, adjusted$2.07 | Today$5.15 | Change462% higherAfter inflation148% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1994$1.481994, adjusted$3.34 | Today$6.92 | Change369% higherAfter inflation107% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1994$1.861994, adjusted$4.20 | Today$6.77 | Change265% higherAfter inflation61% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1994$2.181994, adjusted$4.93 | Today$8.57 | Change293% higherAfter inflation74% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1994$4.251994, adjusted$9.62 | Today$14.36 | Change237% higherAfter inflation49% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1994$3.251994, adjusted$7.36 | Today$9.69 | Change198% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1994$2.981994, adjusted$6.74 | Today$8.96 | Change200% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1994$2.451994, adjusted$5.53 | Today$9.45 | Change286% higherAfter inflation71% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1994$2.531994, adjusted$5.73 | Today$8.59 | Change239% higherAfter inflation50% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1994$1.991994, adjusted$4.50 | Today$6.61 | Change232% higherAfter inflation47% higher |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1994$2.611994, adjusted$5.90 | Today$5.38 | Change106% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1994$0.901994, adjusted$2.04 | Today$2.01 | Change123% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1994$1.131994, adjusted$2.56 | Today$1.67 | Change48% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1994$0.861994, adjusted$1.95 | Today$2.27 | Change163% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1994$3.351994, adjusted$7.57 | Today$5.98 | Change79% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1994$3.071994, adjusted$6.94 | Today$4.75 | Change55% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1994$2.631994, adjusted$5.94 | Today$5.85 | Change123% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1994$0.461994, adjusted$1.04 | Today$0.65 | Change41% higherAfter inflation38% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 1994$0.551994, adjusted$1.23 | Today$1.71 | Change213% higherAfter inflation39% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 1994$0.511994, adjusted$1.16 | Today$1.60 | Change213% higherAfter inflation38% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 1994$1.111994, adjusted$2.51 | Today$2.11 | Change91% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1994$1.131994, adjusted$2.56 | Today$2.58 | Change127% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1994$1.091994, adjusted$2.45 | Today$1.98 | Change82% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1994$0.371994, adjusted$0.85 | Today$0.98 | Change161% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1994$0.611994, adjusted$1.37 | Today$1.47 | Change142% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1994$0.761994, adjusted$1.72 | Today$1.82 | Change140% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1994$0.231994, adjusted$0.52 | Today$0.55 | Change137% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
| Riceper lb | 1994$0.551994, adjusted$1.24 | Today$1.11 | Change103% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1994$0.871994, adjusted$1.96 | Today$1.37 | Change59% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1994$0.401994, adjusted$0.90 | Today$1.02 | Change156% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1994$2.541994, adjusted$5.75 | Today$5.21 | Change105% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1994$2.971994, adjusted$6.72 | Today$6.75 | Change127% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 19941994 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1994$3.401994, adjusted$7.69 | Today$9.30 | Change173% 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 August 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 August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 67% 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 August 2026, the average price was $1.82. 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 August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 107% 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 August 2026, the average price was $9.30. 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 $2.26 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 August 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
- 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 | $0.86 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.11 → $4.20 |
| Pound of bread | $0.76 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.48 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.40 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $226.03 |