Prices in 2006 vs. today

Prices are now 66% higher than in 2006

In 2006, a dozen eggs cost $1.31, a gallon of gas cost $2.59 and a gallon of milk cost $3.08.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2006 costs about $166.16 today. The inflation rate in 2006 was 3.2%, and total inflation from 2006 to August 2026 was 66%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2006 was for ground beef (up 88%), and the biggest drop was for tomatoes (down 31%).

What things cost in 2006
Dozen eggs$1.31 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.59 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.08 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.08 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$2.22 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$3.20 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $166.16

Biggest price changes since 2006

The lists below break down price changes by item.

Each list shows average prices in 2006 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 66% between 2006 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 66% inflation between 2006 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Ground beef212% higher88% higher
    Was $2.22 in 2006, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.69 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
  • Chuck roast198% higher79% higher
    Was $3.17 in 2006, now $9.45 per lbWas $5.26 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb
  • Ground beef, lean192% higher76% higher
    Was $2.93 in 2006, now $8.57 per lbWas $4.87 in today's dollars, now $8.57 per lb
  • Ground coffee190% higher75% higher
    Was $3.20 in 2006, now $9.30 per lbWas $5.32 in today's dollars, now $9.30 per lb
  • Ground chuck166% higher60% higher
    Was $2.55 in 2006, now $6.77 per lbWas $4.24 in today's dollars, now $6.77 per lb

Less inflation

  • Tomatoes14% higher31% lower
    Was $1.73 in 2006, now $1.98 per lbWas $2.88 in today's dollars, now $1.98 per lb
  • Pork chops, boneless26% higher24% lower
    Was $3.60 in 2006, now $4.53 per lbWas $5.97 in today's dollars, now $4.53 per lb
  • Strawberries26% higher24% lower
    Was $2.04 in 2006, now $2.58 per 12 ozWas $3.39 in today's dollars, now $2.58 per 12 oz
  • Chicken breast, boneless27% higher24% lower
    Was $3.30 in 2006, now $4.17 per lbWas $5.48 in today's dollars, now $4.17 per lb
  • American cheese28% higher23% lower
    Was $3.72 in 2006, now $4.75 per lbWas $6.18 in today's dollars, now $4.75 per lb

Food and energy prices in 2006

These are the average prices Americans paid in 2006, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 2006 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon2006$2.592006, adjusted$4.30Today$4.20Change62% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Gasoline, midgradeper gallon2006$2.692006, adjusted$4.47Today$4.69Change74% higherAfter inflation5% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon2006$2.812006, adjusted$4.66Today$5.13Change83% higherAfter inflation10% higher
Diesel fuel per gallon2006$2.812006, adjusted$4.68Today$5.55Change97% higherAfter inflation19% higher
Electricityper kWh2006$0.112006, adjusted$0.19Today$0.20Change74% higherAfter inflation5% higher
Natural gas (piped)per therm2006$1.282006, adjusted$2.13Today$1.71Change34% higherAfter inflation19% lower
Heating oilper gallon2006$2.502006, adjusted$4.15Today$5.15Change106% higherAfter inflation24% higher

Meat & poultry

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb2006$2.222006, adjusted$3.69Today$6.92Change212% higherAfter inflation88% higher
Ground chuck per lb2006$2.552006, adjusted$4.24Today$6.77Change166% higherAfter inflation60% higher
Ground beef, lean per lb2006$2.932006, adjusted$4.87Today$8.57Change192% higherAfter inflation76% higher
Sirloin steak per lb2006$5.982006, adjusted$9.93Today$14.36Change140% higherAfter inflation45% higher
Round steak per lb2006$4.002006, adjusted$6.65Today$9.69Change142% higherAfter inflation46% higher
Round roast per lb2006$3.572006, adjusted$5.94Today$8.96Change151% higherAfter inflation51% higher
Chuck roast per lb2006$3.172006, adjusted$5.26Today$9.45Change198% higherAfter inflation79% higher
Beef stew meat per lb2006$3.312006, adjusted$5.50Today$8.59Change159% higherAfter inflation56% higher
Baconper lb2006$3.442006, adjusted$5.72Today$6.61Change92% higherAfter inflation15% higher
Pork chops, boneless per lb2006$3.602006, adjusted$5.97Today$4.53Change26% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Ham, bonelessper lb2006$3.132006, adjusted$5.20Today$5.38Change72% higherAfter inflation3% higher
Whole chickenper lb2006$1.052006, adjusted$1.74Today$2.01Change92% higherAfter inflation15% higher
Chicken legs per lb2006$1.242006, adjusted$2.06Today$1.67Change35% higherAfter inflation19% lower
Chicken breast, boneless per lb2006$3.302006, adjusted$5.48Today$4.17Change27% higherAfter inflation24% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen2006$1.312006, adjusted$2.17Today$2.27Change74% higherAfter inflation5% higher
Whole milk per gallon2006$3.082006, adjusted$5.12Today$4.23Change37% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb2006$4.252006, adjusted$7.07Today$5.98Change41% higherAfter inflation15% lower
American cheese per lb2006$3.722006, adjusted$6.18Today$4.75Change28% higherAfter inflation23% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon2006$3.752006, adjusted$6.23Today$5.85Change56% higherAfter inflation6% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb2006$0.502006, adjusted$0.83Today$0.65Change30% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Navel orangesper lb2006$1.092006, adjusted$1.81Today$1.71Change57% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Grapefruit per lb2006$1.112006, adjusted$1.85Today$1.60Change44% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Lemons per lb2006$1.532006, adjusted$2.54Today$2.11Change38% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz2006$2.042006, adjusted$3.39Today$2.58Change26% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Tomatoesper lb2006$1.732006, adjusted$2.88Today$1.98Change14% higherAfter inflation31% lower
Potatoesper lb2006$0.532006, adjusted$0.89Today$0.98Change83% higherAfter inflation10% higher
Iceberg lettuceper lb2006$0.872006, adjusted$1.44Today$1.47Change70% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Romaine lettuce per lb2006$1.392006, adjusted$2.32Today$3.29Change136% higherAfter inflation42% higher
Dried beans per lb2006$0.822006, adjusted$1.37Today$1.63Change98% higherAfter inflation19% higher

Pantry & bakery

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb2006$1.082006, adjusted$1.80Today$1.82Change69% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Flour per lb2006$0.332006, adjusted$0.55Today$0.55Change67% higherAfter inflationno change
Riceper lb2006$0.552006, adjusted$0.91Today$1.11Change102% higherAfter inflation22% higher
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb2006$0.862006, adjusted$1.43Today$1.37Change60% higherAfter inflation4% lower
Sugar per lb2006$0.502006, adjusted$0.82Today$1.02Change107% higherAfter inflation24% higher
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb2006$2.882006, adjusted$4.79Today$5.21Change81% higherAfter inflation9% higher
Potato chipsper 16 oz2006$3.472006, adjusted$5.76Today$6.75Change95% higherAfter inflation17% higher

Drinks

Item20062006 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb2006$3.202006, adjusted$5.32Today$9.30Change190% higherAfter inflation75% higher
Beerper 16 oz2006$1.112006, adjusted$1.85Today$1.88Change69% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Wineper liter2006$7.902006, adjusted$13.12Today$13.75Change74% higherAfter inflation5% higher

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2006?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.31 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% higher than in 2006.

How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2006?

A gallon of gas cost an average of $2.59 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 2006.

How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2006?

A gallon of milk cost an average of $3.08 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $4.23. After adjusting for inflation, that's 17% lower than in 2006.

How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2006?

A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.08 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% higher than in 2006.

How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2006?

A pound of ground beef cost an average of $2.22 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 88% higher than in 2006.

How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2006?

A pound of coffee cost an average of $3.20 in 2006. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 75% higher than in 2006.

How much is $1 from 2006 worth today?

$1 in 2006 has about the same buying power as $1.66 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

What was the inflation rate in 2006?

The U.S. inflation rate in 2006 was 3.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2005 to 2006.


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 2006 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.

To adjust 2006 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2006 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.


Prices in other years


Ian Webster

About the author

Ian Webster is an engineer and data expert based in San Mateo, California. He has worked for Google, NASA, and consulted for governments around the world on data pipelines and data analysis. Disappointed by the lack of clear resources on the impacts of inflation on economic indicators, Ian believes this website serves as a valuable public tool. Ian earned his degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

Email · LinkedIn · Twitter

What things cost in 2006
Dozen eggs$1.31 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.59 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.08 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.08 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$2.22 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$3.20 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $166.16