Prices in 2008 vs. today

Prices are now 56% higher than in 2008

In 2008, a dozen eggs cost $1.99, a gallon of gas cost $3.27 and a gallon of milk cost $3.80.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2008 costs about $155.59 today. The inflation rate in 2008 was 3.8%, and total inflation from 2008 to August 2026 was 56%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2008 was for ground beef (up 90%), and the biggest drop was for lemons (down 32%).

What things cost in 2008
Dozen eggs$1.99 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$3.27 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.80 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.37 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$2.34 → $6.92
All prices, on average$100.00 → $155.59

Biggest price changes since 2008

The lists below break down price changes by item.

Each list shows average prices in 2008 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 56% between 2008 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 56% inflation between 2008 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Ground beef195% higher90% higher
    Was $2.34 in 2008, now $6.92 per lbWas $3.65 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
  • Chuck roast167% higher72% higher
    Was $3.54 in 2008, now $9.45 per lbWas $5.50 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb
  • Ground beef, lean163% higher69% higher
    Was $3.26 in 2008, now $8.57 per lbWas $5.08 in today's dollars, now $8.57 per lb
  • Sirloin steak140% higher54% higher
    Was $5.99 in 2008, now $14.36 per lbWas $9.32 in today's dollars, now $14.36 per lb
  • Ground chuck136% higher52% higher
    Was $2.87 in 2008, now $6.77 per lbWas $4.47 in today's dollars, now $6.77 per lb

Less inflation

  • Lemons5% higher32% lower
    Was $2.01 in 2008, now $2.11 per lbWas $3.12 in today's dollars, now $2.11 per lb
  • Bananas7% higher31% lower
    Was $0.61 in 2008, now $0.65 per lbWas $0.95 in today's dollars, now $0.65 per lb
  • Flour8% higher30% lower
    Was $0.51 in 2008, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.79 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
  • Whole milk11% higher28% lower
    Was $3.80 in 2008, now $4.23 per gallonWas $5.90 in today's dollars, now $4.23 per gallon
  • Strawberries13% higher28% lower
    Was $2.29 in 2008, now $2.58 per 12 ozWas $3.56 in today's dollars, now $2.58 per 12 oz

Food and energy prices in 2008

These are the average prices Americans paid in 2008, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 2008 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon2008$3.272008, adjusted$5.08Today$4.20Change29% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Gasoline, midgradeper gallon2008$3.382008, adjusted$5.26Today$4.69Change39% higherAfter inflation11% lower
Gasoline, premiumper gallon2008$3.522008, adjusted$5.48Today$5.13Change46% higherAfter inflation6% lower
Diesel fuel per gallon2008$3.912008, adjusted$6.09Today$5.55Change42% higherAfter inflation9% lower
Electricityper kWh2008$0.122008, adjusted$0.19Today$0.20Change59% higherAfter inflation2% higher
Natural gas (piped)per therm2008$1.442008, adjusted$2.25Today$1.71Change19% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Heating oilper gallon2008$3.752008, adjusted$5.84Today$5.15Change37% higherAfter inflation12% lower

Meat & poultry

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb2008$2.342008, adjusted$3.65Today$6.92Change195% higherAfter inflation90% higher
Ground chuck per lb2008$2.872008, adjusted$4.47Today$6.77Change136% higherAfter inflation52% higher
Ground beef, lean per lb2008$3.262008, adjusted$5.08Today$8.57Change163% higherAfter inflation69% higher
Sirloin steak per lb2008$5.992008, adjusted$9.32Today$14.36Change140% higherAfter inflation54% higher
Round steak per lb2008$4.242008, adjusted$6.59Today$9.69Change129% higherAfter inflation47% higher
Round roast per lb2008$3.962008, adjusted$6.17Today$8.96Change126% higherAfter inflation45% higher
Chuck roast per lb2008$3.542008, adjusted$5.50Today$9.45Change167% higherAfter inflation72% higher
Beef stew meat per lb2008$3.792008, adjusted$5.89Today$8.59Change127% higherAfter inflation46% higher
Baconper lb2008$3.662008, adjusted$5.70Today$6.61Change80% higherAfter inflation16% higher
Pork chops, boneless per lb2008$3.742008, adjusted$5.82Today$4.53Change21% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Ham, bonelessper lb2008$3.212008, adjusted$5.00Today$5.38Change67% higherAfter inflation8% higher
Whole chickenper lb2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.88Today$2.01Change67% higherAfter inflation7% higher
Chicken legs per lb2008$1.422008, adjusted$2.21Today$1.67Change17% higherAfter inflation25% lower
Chicken breast, boneless per lb2008$3.402008, adjusted$5.29Today$4.17Change23% higherAfter inflation21% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen2008$1.992008, adjusted$3.09Today$2.27Change14% higherAfter inflation26% lower
Whole milk per gallon2008$3.802008, adjusted$5.90Today$4.23Change11% higherAfter inflation28% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb2008$4.732008, adjusted$7.35Today$5.98Change27% higherAfter inflation19% lower
American cheese per lb2008$4.042008, adjusted$6.29Today$4.75Change17% higherAfter inflation25% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon2008$4.212008, adjusted$6.55Today$5.85Change39% higherAfter inflation11% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb2008$0.612008, adjusted$0.95Today$0.65Change7% higherAfter inflation31% lower
Navel orangesper lb2008$1.122008, adjusted$1.74Today$1.71Change53% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Grapefruit per lb2008$0.972008, adjusted$1.50Today$1.60Change66% higherAfter inflation7% higher
Lemons per lb2008$2.012008, adjusted$3.12Today$2.11Change5% higherAfter inflation32% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz2008$2.292008, adjusted$3.56Today$2.58Change13% higherAfter inflation28% lower
Tomatoesper lb2008$1.742008, adjusted$2.71Today$1.98Change13% higherAfter inflation27% lower
Potatoesper lb2008$0.632008, adjusted$0.98Today$0.98Change55% higherAfter inflation1% lower
Iceberg lettuceper lb2008$0.912008, adjusted$1.41Today$1.47Change62% higherAfter inflation4% higher
Romaine lettuce per lb2008$1.712008, adjusted$2.66Today$3.29Change92% higherAfter inflation23% higher
Dried beans per lb2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.88Today$1.63Change35% higherAfter inflation13% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb2008$1.372008, adjusted$2.13Today$1.82Change33% higherAfter inflation14% lower
Flour per lb2008$0.512008, adjusted$0.79Today$0.55Change8% higherAfter inflation30% lower
Riceper lb2008$0.732008, adjusted$1.14Today$1.11Change52% higherAfter inflation3% lower
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb2008$1.122008, adjusted$1.74Today$1.37Change23% higherAfter inflation21% lower
Sugar per lb2008$0.532008, adjusted$0.82Today$1.02Change94% higherAfter inflation24% higher
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb2008$2.882008, adjusted$4.49Today$5.21Change81% higherAfter inflation16% higher
Potato chipsper 16 oz2008$4.022008, adjusted$6.26Today$6.75Change68% higherAfter inflation8% higher

Drinks

Item20082008 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Beerper 16 oz2008$1.162008, adjusted$1.81Today$1.88Change62% higherAfter inflation4% higher
Wineper liter2008$9.452008, adjusted$14.71Today$13.75Change45% higherAfter inflation7% lower

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2008?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.99 in 2008. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 26% lower than in 2008.

How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2008?

A gallon of gas cost an average of $3.27 in 2008. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 17% lower than in 2008.

How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2008?

A gallon of milk cost an average of $3.80 in 2008. In August 2026, the average price was $4.23. After adjusting for inflation, that's 28% lower than in 2008.

How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2008?

A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.37 in 2008. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 14% lower than in 2008.

How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2008?

A pound of ground beef cost an average of $2.34 in 2008. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 90% higher than in 2008.

How much is $1 from 2008 worth today?

$1 in 2008 has about the same buying power as $1.56 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

What was the inflation rate in 2008?

The U.S. inflation rate in 2008 was 3.8%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2007 to 2008.

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 2008 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.

To adjust 2008 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2008 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 2008
Dozen eggs$1.99 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$3.27 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.80 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.37 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$2.34 → $6.92
All prices, on average$100.00 → $155.59