Prices are now 79% higher than in 2004
In 2004, a dozen eggs cost $1.34, a gallon of gas cost $1.88 and a gallon of milk cost $3.16.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2004 costs about $178.67 today. The inflation rate in 2004 was 2.7%, and total inflation from 2004 to October 2026 was 79%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2004 was for heating oil (up 108%), and the biggest drop was for boneless pork chops (down 35%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.34 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.88 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.16 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.97 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.16 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.85 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $178.67 |
Biggest price changes since 2004
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 2004 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 79% between 2004 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 79% inflation between 2004 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil271% higher108% higherWas $1.65 in 2004, now $6.11 per gallonWas $2.94 in today's dollars, now $6.11 per gallon
- Diesel fuel238% higher89% higherWas $1.92 in 2004, now $6.50 per gallonWas $3.43 in today's dollars, now $6.50 per gallon
- Ground coffee225% higher82% higherWas $2.85 in 2004, now $9.25 per lbWas $5.09 in today's dollars, now $9.25 per lb
- Ground beef213% higher75% higherWas $2.16 in 2004, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.86 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Ground beef, lean187% higher60% higherWas $2.93 in 2004, now $8.40 per lbWas $5.23 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
Less inflation
- Pork chops, boneless16% higher35% lowerWas $3.90 in 2004, now $4.52 per lbWas $6.97 in today's dollars, now $4.52 per lb
- American cheese18% higher34% lowerWas $3.98 in 2004, now $4.71 per lbWas $7.12 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
- Strawberries26% higher30% lowerWas $2.23 in 2004, now $2.81 per 12 ozWas $3.99 in today's dollars, now $2.81 per 12 oz
- Tomatoes30% higher27% lowerWas $1.61 in 2004, now $2.08 per lbWas $2.87 in today's dollars, now $2.08 per lb
- Whole milk30% higher27% lowerWas $3.16 in 2004, now $4.10 per gallonWas $5.64 in today's dollars, now $4.10 per gallon
Food and energy prices in 2004
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2004, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 2004 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2004$1.882004, adjusted$3.36 | Today$4.45 | Change137% higherAfter inflation33% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2004$1.982004, adjusted$3.53 | Today$4.95 | Change150% higherAfter inflation40% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2004$2.072004, adjusted$3.69 | Today$5.43 | Change163% higherAfter inflation47% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2004$1.922004, adjusted$3.43 | Today$6.50 | Change238% higherAfter inflation89% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2004$0.092004, adjusted$0.17 | Today$0.19 | Change101% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2004$1.052004, adjusted$1.87 | Today$1.69 | Change61% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2004$1.652004, adjusted$2.94 | Today$6.11 | Change271% higherAfter inflation108% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2004$2.162004, adjusted$3.86 | Today$6.76 | Change213% higherAfter inflation75% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2004$2.502004, adjusted$4.47 | Today$6.73 | Change169% higherAfter inflation51% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2004$2.932004, adjusted$5.23 | Today$8.40 | Change187% higherAfter inflation60% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2004$6.622004, adjusted$11.83 | Today$13.85 | Change109% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2004$4.132004, adjusted$7.39 | Today$10.11 | Change145% higherAfter inflation37% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2004$3.742004, adjusted$6.69 | Today$8.37 | Change123% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2004$3.292004, adjusted$5.88 | Today$9.08 | Change176% higherAfter inflation55% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2004$3.322004, adjusted$5.93 | Today$8.67 | Change161% higherAfter inflation46% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2004$3.382004, adjusted$6.03 | Today$6.69 | Change98% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2004$3.902004, adjusted$6.97 | Today$4.52 | Change16% higherAfter inflation35% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2004$3.052004, adjusted$5.46 | Today$5.26 | Change72% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2004$1.072004, adjusted$1.91 | Today$2.03 | Change89% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2004$1.332004, adjusted$2.38 | Today$1.75 | Change31% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2004$1.342004, adjusted$2.39 | Today$2.32 | Change73% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2004$3.162004, adjusted$5.64 | Today$4.10 | Change30% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2004$4.272004, adjusted$7.63 | Today$6.13 | Change43% higherAfter inflation20% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2004$3.982004, adjusted$7.12 | Today$4.71 | Change18% higherAfter inflation34% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2004$3.842004, adjusted$6.86 | Today$6.03 | Change57% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2004$0.502004, adjusted$0.88 | Today$0.66 | Change32% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2004$1.232004, adjusted$2.21 | Today$2.14 | Change73% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2004$2.232004, adjusted$3.99 | Today$2.81 | Change26% higherAfter inflation30% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2004$1.612004, adjusted$2.87 | Today$2.08 | Change30% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2004$0.452004, adjusted$0.81 | Today$0.99 | Change118% higherAfter inflation22% higher |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2004$0.802004, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.96 | Change146% higherAfter inflation38% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2004$0.772004, adjusted$1.37 | Today$1.68 | Change119% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2004$0.972004, adjusted$1.73 | Today$1.86 | Change92% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Flour per lb | 2004$0.302004, adjusted$0.54 | Today$0.54 | Change77% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2004$0.542004, adjusted$0.96 | Today$1.10 | Change105% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2004$0.952004, adjusted$1.69 | Today$1.38 | Change46% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2004$0.432004, adjusted$0.76 | Today$1.00 | Change135% higherAfter inflation31% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2004$2.652004, adjusted$4.73 | Today$5.25 | Change98% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2004$3.402004, adjusted$6.08 | Today$6.64 | Change95% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20042004 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2004$2.852004, adjusted$5.09 | Today$9.25 | Change225% higherAfter inflation82% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2004$1.072004, adjusted$1.90 | Today$1.90 | Change78% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Wineper liter | 2004$6.922004, adjusted$12.37 | Today$14.05 | Change103% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2004?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.34 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 3% lower than in 2004.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2004?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.88 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 33% higher than in 2004.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2004?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $3.16 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 27% lower than in 2004.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2004?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $0.97 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 7% higher than in 2004.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2004?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $2.16 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 75% higher than in 2004.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2004?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $2.85 in 2004. In October 2026, the average price was $9.25. After adjusting for inflation, that's 82% higher than in 2004.
How much is $1 from 2004 worth today?
$1 in 2004 has about the same buying power as $1.79 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 2004?
The U.S. inflation rate in 2004 was 2.7%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2003 to 2004.
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 2004 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from October 2026.
To adjust 2004 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2004 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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| Dozen eggs | $1.34 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.88 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.16 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $0.97 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.16 → $6.76 |
| Pound of coffee | $2.85 → $9.25 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $178.67 |