Prices are now 83% higher than in 2003
In 2003, a dozen eggs cost $1.24, a gallon of gas cost $1.59 and a gallon of milk cost $2.76.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2003 costs about $183.43 today. The inflation rate in 2003 was 2.3%, and total inflation from 2003 to October 2026 was 83%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2003 was for heating oil (up 138%), and the biggest drop was for boneless pork chops (down 35%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.24 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.59 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.76 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.00 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.95 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.92 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $183.43 |
Biggest price changes since 2003
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 2003 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 83% between 2003 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 83% inflation between 2003 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil336% higher138% higherWas $1.40 in 2003, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.57 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Diesel fuel295% higher115% higherWas $1.65 in 2003, now $6.50 per gallonWas $3.02 in today's dollars, now $6.50 per gallon
- Ground beef246% higher89% higherWas $1.95 in 2003, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.58 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Ground coffee217% higher73% higherWas $2.92 in 2003, now $9.25 per lbWas $5.35 in today's dollars, now $9.25 per lb
- Ground beef, lean208% higher68% higherWas $2.73 in 2003, now $8.40 per lbWas $5.00 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
Less inflation
- Pork chops, boneless19% higher35% lowerWas $3.79 in 2003, now $4.52 per lbWas $6.96 in today's dollars, now $4.52 per lb
- American cheese25% higher32% lowerWas $3.77 in 2003, now $4.71 per lbWas $6.92 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Bananas29% higher30% lowerWas $0.51 in 2003, now $0.66 per lbWas $0.93 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Tomatoes38% higher25% lowerWas $1.51 in 2003, now $2.08 per lbWas $2.77 in today's dollars, now $2.08 per lb
- Chicken legs39% higher24% lowerWas $1.26 in 2003, now $1.75 per lbWas $2.30 in today's dollars, now $1.75 per lb
Food and energy prices in 2003
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2003, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 2003 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2003$1.592003, adjusted$2.92 | Today$4.45 | Change180% higherAfter inflation53% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2003$1.692003, adjusted$3.09 | Today$4.95 | Change194% higherAfter inflation60% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2003$1.782003, adjusted$3.26 | Today$5.43 | Change206% higherAfter inflation67% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2003$1.652003, adjusted$3.02 | Today$6.50 | Change295% higherAfter inflation115% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2003$0.092003, adjusted$0.17 | Today$0.19 | Change105% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2003$0.972003, adjusted$1.78 | Today$1.69 | Change75% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2003$1.402003, adjusted$2.57 | Today$6.11 | Change336% higherAfter inflation138% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2003$1.952003, adjusted$3.58 | Today$6.76 | Change246% higherAfter inflation89% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2003$2.282003, adjusted$4.18 | Today$6.73 | Change196% higherAfter inflation61% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2003$2.732003, adjusted$5.00 | Today$8.40 | Change208% higherAfter inflation68% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2003$5.942003, adjusted$10.90 | Today$13.85 | Change133% higherAfter inflation27% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2003$3.842003, adjusted$7.03 | Today$10.11 | Change164% higherAfter inflation44% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2003$3.412003, adjusted$6.26 | Today$8.37 | Change145% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2003$3.052003, adjusted$5.59 | Today$9.08 | Change198% higherAfter inflation63% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2003$3.102003, adjusted$5.69 | Today$8.67 | Change179% higherAfter inflation52% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2003$3.202003, adjusted$5.87 | Today$6.69 | Change109% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2003$3.792003, adjusted$6.96 | Today$4.52 | Change19% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2003$2.892003, adjusted$5.30 | Today$5.26 | Change82% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2003$1.032003, adjusted$1.90 | Today$2.03 | Change96% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2003$1.262003, adjusted$2.30 | Today$1.75 | Change39% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2003$1.242003, adjusted$2.28 | Today$2.32 | Change86% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2003$2.762003, adjusted$5.06 | Today$4.10 | Change49% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2003$3.952003, adjusted$7.24 | Today$6.13 | Change55% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2003$3.772003, adjusted$6.92 | Today$4.71 | Change25% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2003$3.812003, adjusted$6.99 | Today$6.03 | Change58% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2003$0.512003, adjusted$0.93 | Today$0.66 | Change29% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2003$1.322003, adjusted$2.42 | Today$2.14 | Change63% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2003$1.932003, adjusted$3.54 | Today$2.81 | Change45% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2003$1.512003, adjusted$2.77 | Today$2.08 | Change38% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2003$0.462003, adjusted$0.84 | Today$0.99 | Change116% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2003$0.822003, adjusted$1.51 | Today$1.96 | Change138% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2003$0.762003, adjusted$1.39 | Today$1.68 | Change121% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2003$1.002003, adjusted$1.84 | Today$1.86 | Change86% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Flour per lb | 2003$0.312003, adjusted$0.57 | Today$0.54 | Change72% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2003$0.452003, adjusted$0.83 | Today$1.10 | Change143% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2003$0.932003, adjusted$1.71 | Today$1.38 | Change48% higherAfter inflation19% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2003$0.432003, adjusted$0.78 | Today$1.00 | Change135% higherAfter inflation28% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2003$2.812003, adjusted$5.16 | Today$5.25 | Change86% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2003$3.502003, adjusted$6.42 | Today$6.64 | Change90% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20032003 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2003$2.922003, adjusted$5.35 | Today$9.25 | Change217% higherAfter inflation73% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2003$1.012003, adjusted$1.86 | Today$1.90 | Change87% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Wineper liter | 2003$6.392003, adjusted$11.72 | Today$14.05 | Change120% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2003?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.24 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% higher than in 2003.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2003?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.59 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 53% higher than in 2003.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2003?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $2.76 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 19% lower than in 2003.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2003?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.00 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 1% higher than in 2003.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2003?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $1.95 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 89% higher than in 2003.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2003?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.92 in 2003. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 73% higher than in 2003.
How much is $1 from 2003 worth today?
$1 in 2003 has about the same buying power as $1.83 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 2003?
The U.S. inflation rate in 2003 was 2.3%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2002 to 2003.
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 2003 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 2003 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2003 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.24 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.59 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.76 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.00 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $1.95 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.92 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $183.43 |