Prices are now 2.1x higher than in 1997
In 1997, a dozen eggs cost $1.06, a gallon of gas cost $1.23 and a gallon of milk cost $2.61.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1997 costs about $210.29 today. The inflation rate in 1997 was 2.3%, and total inflation from 1997 to October 2026 was 110%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1997 was for heating oil (up 186%), and the biggest drop was for boneless pork chops (down 47%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.06 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.23 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.61 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.87 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.40 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.11 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $210.29 |
Biggest price changes since 1997
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1997 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 110% between 1997 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 110% inflation between 1997 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil502% higher186% higherWas $1.01 in 1997, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.13 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Ground beef384% higher130% higherWas $1.40 in 1997, now $6.76 per lbWas $2.94 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Ground beef, lean308% higher94% higherWas $2.06 in 1997, now $8.40 per lbWas $4.33 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
- Gasoline, premium284% higher82% higherWas $1.42 in 1997, now $5.43 per gallonWas $2.98 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Chuck roast273% higher77% higherWas $2.43 in 1997, now $9.08 per lbWas $5.12 in today's dollars, now $9.08 per lb
Less inflation
- Pork chops, boneless11% higher47% lowerWas $4.08 in 1997, now $4.52 per lbWas $8.57 in today's dollars, now $4.52 per lb
- Bananas35% higher36% lowerWas $0.49 in 1997, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.02 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- American cheese36% higher35% lowerWas $3.45 in 1997, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.25 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Chicken legs42% higher33% lowerWas $1.23 in 1997, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.60 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Whole milk57% higher25% lowerWas $2.61 in 1997, now $4.10 per gallonWas $5.50 in today's dollars, now $4.10 per gallon
Food and energy prices in 1997
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1997, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 1997 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1997$1.231997, adjusted$2.59 | Today$4.45 | Change261% higherAfter inflation72% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1997$1.331997, adjusted$2.79 | Today$4.95 | Change273% higherAfter inflation77% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1997$1.421997, adjusted$2.98 | Today$5.43 | Change284% higherAfter inflation82% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1997$0.091997, adjusted$0.20 | Today$0.19 | Change101% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1997$0.691997, adjusted$1.45 | Today$1.69 | Change146% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1997$1.011997, adjusted$2.13 | Today$6.11 | Change502% higherAfter inflation186% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1997$1.401997, adjusted$2.94 | Today$6.76 | Change384% higherAfter inflation130% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1997$1.841997, adjusted$3.87 | Today$6.73 | Change266% higherAfter inflation74% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1997$2.061997, adjusted$4.33 | Today$8.40 | Change308% higherAfter inflation94% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1997$4.211997, adjusted$8.85 | Today$13.85 | Change229% higherAfter inflation57% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1997$3.101997, adjusted$6.51 | Today$10.11 | Change227% higherAfter inflation55% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1997$2.821997, adjusted$5.93 | Today$8.37 | Change197% higherAfter inflation41% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1997$2.431997, adjusted$5.12 | Today$9.08 | Change273% higherAfter inflation77% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1997$2.511997, adjusted$5.27 | Today$8.67 | Change246% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1997$2.681997, adjusted$5.64 | Today$6.69 | Change149% higherAfter inflation19% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 1997$4.081997, adjusted$8.57 | Today$4.52 | Change11% higherAfter inflation47% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1997$2.791997, adjusted$5.86 | Today$5.26 | Change89% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1997$1.001997, adjusted$2.11 | Today$2.03 | Change102% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1997$1.231997, adjusted$2.60 | Today$1.75 | Change42% higherAfter inflation33% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1997$1.061997, adjusted$2.23 | Today$2.32 | Change119% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Whole milkper gallon | 1997$2.611997, adjusted$5.50 | Today$4.10 | Change57% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1997$3.221997, adjusted$6.77 | Today$6.13 | Change90% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1997$3.451997, adjusted$7.25 | Today$4.71 | Change36% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1997$2.921997, adjusted$6.13 | Today$6.03 | Change107% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1997$0.491997, adjusted$1.02 | Today$0.66 | Change35% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1997$1.251997, adjusted$2.63 | Today$2.14 | Change71% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1997$1.361997, adjusted$2.85 | Today$2.81 | Change107% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1997$1.291997, adjusted$2.72 | Today$2.08 | Change61% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1997$0.361997, adjusted$0.75 | Today$0.99 | Change178% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1997$0.691997, adjusted$1.46 | Today$1.96 | Change183% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 1997$0.721997, adjusted$1.51 | Today$1.68 | Change133% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1997$0.871997, adjusted$1.83 | Today$1.86 | Change113% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1997$0.301997, adjusted$0.63 | Today$0.54 | Change78% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1997$0.571997, adjusted$1.19 | Today$1.10 | Change95% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1997$0.871997, adjusted$1.84 | Today$1.38 | Change59% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1997$0.431997, adjusted$0.91 | Today$1.00 | Change131% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1997$2.611997, adjusted$5.50 | Today$5.25 | Change101% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1997$3.131997, adjusted$6.59 | Today$6.64 | Change112% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 19971997 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1997$4.111997, adjusted$8.64 | Today$9.25 | Change125% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 1997$0.841997, adjusted$1.77 | Today$1.90 | Change125% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Wineper liter | 1997$5.171997, adjusted$10.87 | Today$14.05 | Change172% higherAfter inflation29% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1997?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.06 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 4% higher than in 1997.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1997?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.23 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 72% higher than in 1997.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 1997?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $2.61 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 25% lower than in 1997.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1997?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.87 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 1% higher than in 1997.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1997?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.40 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 130% higher than in 1997.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1997?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $4.11 in 1997. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% higher than in 1997.
How much is $1 from 1997 worth today?
$1 in 1997 has about the same buying power as $2.10 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1997?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1997 was 2.3%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1996 to 1997.
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 1997 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 1997 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1997 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.06 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.23 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.61 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.87 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.40 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.11 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $210.29 |