Prices are now 88% higher than in 2002
In 2002, a dozen eggs cost $1.03, a gallon of gas cost $1.36 and a gallon of milk cost $2.76.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2002 costs about $187.61 today. The inflation rate in 2002 was 1.6%, and total inflation from 2002 to October 2026 was 88%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2002 was for heating oil (up 180%), and the biggest drop was for boneless pork chops (down 38%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.03 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.36 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.76 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.02 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.71 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.92 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $187.61 |
Biggest price changes since 2002
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 2002 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 88% between 2002 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 88% inflation between 2002 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil426% higher180% higherWas $1.16 in 2002, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.18 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Diesel fuel356% higher143% higherWas $1.43 in 2002, now $6.50 per gallonWas $2.67 in today's dollars, now $6.50 per gallon
- Ground beef294% higher110% higherWas $1.71 in 2002, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.21 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Gasoline, premium249% higher86% higherWas $1.56 in 2002, now $5.43 per gallonWas $2.92 in today's dollars, now $5.43 per gallon
- Gasoline, midgrade237% higher80% higherWas $1.47 in 2002, now $4.95 per gallonWas $2.76 in today's dollars, now $4.95 per gallon
Less inflation
- Pork chops, boneless17% higher38% lowerWas $3.86 in 2002, now $4.52 per lbWas $7.25 in today's dollars, now $4.52 per lb
- American cheese21% higher35% lowerWas $3.88 in 2002, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.28 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Bananas29% higher31% lowerWas $0.51 in 2002, now $0.66 per lbWas $0.95 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Chicken legs34% higher29% lowerWas $1.31 in 2002, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.45 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
- Cheddar cheese45% higher23% lowerWas $4.22 in 2002, now $6.13 per lbWas $7.91 in today's dollars, now $6.13 per lb
Food and energy prices in 2002
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2002, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 2002 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2002$1.362002, adjusted$2.55 | Today$4.45 | Change228% higherAfter inflation75% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2002$1.472002, adjusted$2.76 | Today$4.95 | Change237% higherAfter inflation80% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2002$1.562002, adjusted$2.92 | Today$5.43 | Change249% higherAfter inflation86% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2002$1.432002, adjusted$2.67 | Today$6.50 | Change356% higherAfter inflation143% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2002$0.092002, adjusted$0.17 | Today$0.19 | Change109% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2002$0.792002, adjusted$1.47 | Today$1.69 | Change115% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2002$1.162002, adjusted$2.18 | Today$6.11 | Change426% higherAfter inflation180% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2002$1.712002, adjusted$3.21 | Today$6.76 | Change294% higherAfter inflation110% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2002$2.132002, adjusted$4.00 | Today$6.73 | Change216% higherAfter inflation68% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2002$2.582002, adjusted$4.84 | Today$8.40 | Change226% higherAfter inflation74% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2002$5.302002, adjusted$9.94 | Today$13.85 | Change161% higherAfter inflation39% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2002$3.502002, adjusted$6.57 | Today$10.11 | Change189% higherAfter inflation54% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2002$3.192002, adjusted$5.98 | Today$8.37 | Change162% higherAfter inflation40% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2002$2.742002, adjusted$5.15 | Today$9.08 | Change231% higherAfter inflation77% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2002$2.952002, adjusted$5.53 | Today$8.67 | Change194% higherAfter inflation57% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2002$3.242002, adjusted$6.07 | Today$6.69 | Change107% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2002$3.862002, adjusted$7.25 | Today$4.52 | Change17% higherAfter inflation38% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2002$2.822002, adjusted$5.29 | Today$5.26 | Change86% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2002$1.072002, adjusted$2.01 | Today$2.03 | Change89% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2002$1.312002, adjusted$2.45 | Today$1.75 | Change34% higherAfter inflation29% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2002$1.032002, adjusted$1.94 | Today$2.32 | Change125% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2002$2.762002, adjusted$5.17 | Today$4.10 | Change49% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2002$4.222002, adjusted$7.91 | Today$6.13 | Change45% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2002$3.882002, adjusted$7.28 | Today$4.71 | Change21% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2002$3.732002, adjusted$7.00 | Today$6.03 | Change62% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2002$0.512002, adjusted$0.95 | Today$0.66 | Change29% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2002$1.392002, adjusted$2.61 | Today$2.14 | Change54% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2002$1.862002, adjusted$3.48 | Today$2.81 | Change51% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2002$1.322002, adjusted$2.48 | Today$2.08 | Change57% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2002$0.492002, adjusted$0.93 | Today$0.99 | Change101% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2002$0.862002, adjusted$1.62 | Today$1.96 | Change128% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2002$0.732002, adjusted$1.37 | Today$1.68 | Change131% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2002$1.022002, adjusted$1.91 | Today$1.86 | Change83% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Flour per lb | 2002$0.312002, adjusted$0.58 | Today$0.54 | Change72% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2002$0.472002, adjusted$0.88 | Today$1.10 | Change135% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2002$0.922002, adjusted$1.72 | Today$1.38 | Change51% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2002$0.432002, adjusted$0.81 | Today$1.00 | Change132% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2002$2.592002, adjusted$4.87 | Today$5.25 | Change102% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2002$3.362002, adjusted$6.30 | Today$6.64 | Change98% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20022002 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2002$2.922002, adjusted$5.49 | Today$9.25 | Change216% higherAfter inflation69% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2002$0.992002, adjusted$1.86 | Today$1.90 | Change91% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Wineper liter | 2002$6.232002, adjusted$11.69 | Today$14.05 | Change125% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2002?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.03 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 20% higher than in 2002.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2002?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.36 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 75% higher than in 2002.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2002?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $2.76 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 21% lower than in 2002.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2002?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.02 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 2002.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2002?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.71 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 110% higher than in 2002.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2002?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.92 in 2002. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 69% higher than in 2002.
How much is $1 from 2002 worth today?
$1 in 2002 has about the same buying power as $1.88 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 2002?
The U.S. inflation rate in 2002 was 1.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2001 to 2002.
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 2002 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 2002 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2002 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.03 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.36 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.76 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.02 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.71 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.92 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $187.61 |