Prices are now 2.1x higher than in 1998
In 1998, a dozen eggs cost $1.04, a gallon of gas cost $1.06 and a gallon of milk cost $2.70.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1998 costs about $207.06 today. The inflation rate in 1998 was 1.6%, and total inflation from 1998 to October 2026 was 107%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 1998 was for heating oil (up 235%), and the biggest drop was for boneless pork chops (down 42%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.04 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.06 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.70 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.86 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.41 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.77 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $207.06 |
Biggest price changes since 1998
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 1998 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 107% between 1998 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 107% inflation between 1998 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil594% higher235% higherWas $0.88 in 1998, now $6.11 per gallonWas $1.82 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Diesel fuel454% higher167% higherWas $1.17 in 1998, now $6.50 per gallonWas $2.43 in today's dollars, now $6.50 per gallon
- Ground beef378% higher131% higherWas $1.41 in 1998, now $6.76 per lbWas $2.92 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Gasoline, premium334% higher110% higherWas $1.25 in 1998, now $5.43 per gallonWas $2.59 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, midgrade327% higher106% higherWas $1.16 in 1998, now $4.95 per gallonWas $2.40 in today's dollars, now $4.95 per gallon
Less inflation
- Pork chops, boneless20% higher42% lowerWas $3.76 in 1998, now $4.52 per lbWas $7.78 in today's dollars, now $4.52 per lb
- American cheese31% higher37% lowerWas $3.59 in 1998, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.43 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Bananas33% higher36% lowerWas $0.49 in 1998, now $0.66 per lbWas $1.02 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Chicken legs37% higher34% lowerWas $1.27 in 1998, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.63 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Tomatoes41% higher32% lowerWas $1.48 in 1998, now $2.08 per lbWas $3.06 in today's dollars, now $2.08 per lb
Food and energy prices in 1998
These are the average prices Americans paid in 1998, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 1998 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 1998$1.061998, adjusted$2.19 | Today$4.45 | Change320% higherAfter inflation103% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 1998$1.161998, adjusted$2.40 | Today$4.95 | Change327% higherAfter inflation106% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 1998$1.251998, adjusted$2.59 | Today$5.43 | Change334% higherAfter inflation110% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 1998$1.171998, adjusted$2.43 | Today$6.50 | Change454% higherAfter inflation167% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 1998$0.091998, adjusted$0.18 | Today$0.19 | Change119% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 1998$0.681998, adjusted$1.41 | Today$1.69 | Change148% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 1998$0.881998, adjusted$1.82 | Today$6.11 | Change594% higherAfter inflation235% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 1998$1.411998, adjusted$2.92 | Today$6.76 | Change378% higherAfter inflation131% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 1998$1.811998, adjusted$3.75 | Today$6.73 | Change272% higherAfter inflation80% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 1998$2.061998, adjusted$4.27 | Today$8.40 | Change307% higherAfter inflation97% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 1998$4.191998, adjusted$8.67 | Today$13.85 | Change231% higherAfter inflation60% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 1998$3.091998, adjusted$6.40 | Today$10.11 | Change227% higherAfter inflation58% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 1998$2.731998, adjusted$5.65 | Today$8.37 | Change207% higherAfter inflation48% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 1998$2.351998, adjusted$4.88 | Today$9.08 | Change286% higherAfter inflation86% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 1998$2.551998, adjusted$5.29 | Today$8.67 | Change240% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Baconper lb | 1998$2.541998, adjusted$5.27 | Today$6.69 | Change163% higherAfter inflation27% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 1998$3.761998, adjusted$7.78 | Today$4.52 | Change20% higherAfter inflation42% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 1998$2.811998, adjusted$5.83 | Today$5.26 | Change87% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 1998$1.041998, adjusted$2.16 | Today$2.03 | Change94% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Chicken legs per lb | 1998$1.271998, adjusted$2.63 | Today$1.75 | Change37% higherAfter inflation34% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 1998$1.041998, adjusted$2.15 | Today$2.32 | Change124% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Whole milkper gallon | 1998$2.701998, adjusted$5.60 | Today$4.10 | Change52% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 1998$3.551998, adjusted$7.35 | Today$6.13 | Change73% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 1998$3.591998, adjusted$7.43 | Today$4.71 | Change31% higherAfter inflation37% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 1998$3.131998, adjusted$6.47 | Today$6.03 | Change93% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 1998$0.491998, adjusted$1.02 | Today$0.66 | Change33% higherAfter inflation36% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 1998$1.201998, adjusted$2.48 | Today$2.14 | Change79% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 1998$1.641998, adjusted$3.40 | Today$2.81 | Change71% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 1998$1.481998, adjusted$3.06 | Today$2.08 | Change41% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 1998$0.381998, adjusted$0.78 | Today$0.99 | Change164% higherAfter inflation27% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 1998$0.761998, adjusted$1.57 | Today$1.96 | Change159% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 1998$0.691998, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.68 | Change143% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 1998$0.861998, adjusted$1.78 | Today$1.86 | Change116% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Flour per lb | 1998$0.301998, adjusted$0.62 | Today$0.54 | Change79% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Riceper lb | 1998$0.541998, adjusted$1.12 | Today$1.10 | Change103% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 1998$0.881998, adjusted$1.82 | Today$1.38 | Change57% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 1998$0.431998, adjusted$0.89 | Today$1.00 | Change133% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 1998$2.541998, adjusted$5.26 | Today$5.25 | Change107% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 1998$3.161998, adjusted$6.55 | Today$6.64 | Change110% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 19981998 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 1998$3.771998, adjusted$7.80 | Today$9.25 | Change146% higherAfter inflation19% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 1998$0.861998, adjusted$1.78 | Today$1.90 | Change121% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Wineper liter | 1998$5.071998, adjusted$10.50 | Today$14.05 | Change177% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1998?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.04 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 8% higher than in 1998.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1998?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.06 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 103% higher than in 1998.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 1998?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $2.70 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 27% lower than in 1998.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 1998?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.86 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 4% higher than in 1998.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 1998?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.41 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 131% higher than in 1998.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 1998?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $3.77 in 1998. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 19% higher than in 1998.
How much is $1 from 1998 worth today?
$1 in 1998 has about the same buying power as $2.07 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1998?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1998 was 1.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1997 to 1998.
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 1998 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 1998 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 1998 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.04 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.06 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.70 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.86 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.41 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $3.77 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $207.06 |