Prices are now 57% 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 $156.76 today. The inflation rate in 2008 was 3.8%, and total inflation from 2008 to October 2026 was 57%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2008 was for ground beef (up 84%), and the biggest drop was for flour (down 33%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.99 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.27 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.80 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.37 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.34 → $6.76 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $156.76 |
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 57% between 2008 and October 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 57% inflation between 2008 and October 2026.
More inflation
- Ground beef188% higher84% higherWas $2.34 in 2008, now $6.76 per lbWas $3.67 in today's dollars, now $6.76 per lb
- Ground beef, lean158% higher64% higherWas $3.26 in 2008, now $8.40 per lbWas $5.11 in today's dollars, now $8.40 per lb
- Chuck roast157% higher64% higherWas $3.54 in 2008, now $9.08 per lbWas $5.54 in today's dollars, now $9.08 per lb
- Round steak139% higher52% higherWas $4.24 in 2008, now $10.11 per lbWas $6.64 in today's dollars, now $10.11 per lb
- Ground chuck134% higher49% higherWas $2.87 in 2008, now $6.73 per lbWas $4.50 in today's dollars, now $6.73 per lb
Less inflation
- Flour6% higher33% lowerWas $0.51 in 2008, now $0.54 per lbWas $0.79 in today's dollars, now $0.54 per lb
- Lemons7% higher32% lowerWas $2.01 in 2008, now $2.14 per lbWas $3.14 in today's dollars, now $2.14 per lb
- Bananas7% higher31% lowerWas $0.61 in 2008, now $0.66 per lbWas $0.96 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Whole milk8% higher31% lowerWas $3.80 in 2008, now $4.10 per gallonWas $5.95 in today's dollars, now $4.10 per gallon
- American cheese16% higher26% lowerWas $4.04 in 2008, now $4.71 per lbWas $6.34 in today's dollars, now $4.71 per lb
Food and energy prices in 2008
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2008, next to what the same items cost in October 2026.These 2008 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2008$3.272008, adjusted$5.12 | Today$4.45 | Change36% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2008$3.382008, adjusted$5.30 | Today$4.95 | Change46% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2008$3.522008, adjusted$5.52 | Today$5.43 | Change54% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2008$3.912008, adjusted$6.14 | Today$6.50 | Change66% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2008$0.122008, adjusted$0.19 | Today$0.19 | Change54% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2008$1.442008, adjusted$2.26 | Today$1.69 | Change17% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2008$3.752008, adjusted$5.88 | Today$6.11 | Change63% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2008$2.342008, adjusted$3.67 | Today$6.76 | Change188% higherAfter inflation84% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2008$2.872008, adjusted$4.50 | Today$6.73 | Change134% higherAfter inflation49% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2008$3.262008, adjusted$5.11 | Today$8.40 | Change158% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2008$5.992008, adjusted$9.39 | Today$13.85 | Change131% higherAfter inflation47% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2008$4.242008, adjusted$6.64 | Today$10.11 | Change139% higherAfter inflation52% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2008$3.962008, adjusted$6.21 | Today$8.37 | Change111% higherAfter inflation35% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2008$3.542008, adjusted$5.54 | Today$9.08 | Change157% higherAfter inflation64% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2008$3.792008, adjusted$5.93 | Today$8.67 | Change129% higherAfter inflation46% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2008$3.662008, adjusted$5.74 | Today$6.69 | Change83% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2008$3.742008, adjusted$5.87 | Today$4.52 | Change21% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2008$3.212008, adjusted$5.04 | Today$5.26 | Change64% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.89 | Today$2.03 | Change68% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2008$1.422008, adjusted$2.23 | Today$1.75 | Change23% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Chicken breast, boneless per lb | 2008$3.402008, adjusted$5.33 | Today$4.10 | Change21% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2008$1.992008, adjusted$3.11 | Today$2.32 | Change17% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2008$3.802008, adjusted$5.95 | Today$4.10 | Change8% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2008$4.732008, adjusted$7.41 | Today$6.13 | Change30% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2008$4.042008, adjusted$6.34 | Today$4.71 | Change16% higherAfter inflation26% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2008$4.212008, adjusted$6.60 | Today$6.03 | Change43% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2008$0.612008, adjusted$0.96 | Today$0.66 | Change7% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2008$2.012008, adjusted$3.14 | Today$2.14 | Change7% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2008$2.292008, adjusted$3.59 | Today$2.81 | Change23% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2008$1.742008, adjusted$2.73 | Today$2.08 | Change19% higherAfter inflation24% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2008$0.632008, adjusted$0.99 | Today$0.99 | Change57% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2008$0.912008, adjusted$1.42 | Today$1.96 | Change117% higherAfter inflation38% higher |
| Romaine lettuce per lb | 2008$1.712008, adjusted$2.68 | Today$3.49 | Change104% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.90 | Today$1.68 | Change39% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2008$1.372008, adjusted$2.14 | Today$1.86 | Change36% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Flour per lb | 2008$0.512008, adjusted$0.79 | Today$0.54 | Change6% higherAfter inflation33% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2008$0.732008, adjusted$1.15 | Today$1.10 | Change50% higherAfter inflation4% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2008$1.122008, adjusted$1.76 | Today$1.38 | Change24% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2008$0.532008, adjusted$0.83 | Today$1.00 | Change89% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2008$2.882008, adjusted$4.52 | Today$5.25 | Change82% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2008$4.022008, adjusted$6.30 | Today$6.64 | Change65% higherAfter inflation5% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beerper 16 oz | 2008$1.162008, adjusted$1.82 | Today$1.90 | Change63% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
| Wineper liter | 2008$9.452008, adjusted$14.82 | Today$14.05 | Change49% higherAfter inflation5% 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 October 2026, the average price was $2.32. After adjusting for inflation, that's 25% 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 October 2026, the average price was $4.45. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% 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 October 2026, the average price was $4.10. After adjusting for inflation, that's 31% 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 October 2026, the average price was $1.86. After adjusting for inflation, that's 13% 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 October 2026, the average price was $6.76. After adjusting for inflation, that's 84% higher than in 2008.
How much is $1 from 2008 worth today?
$1 in 2008 has about the same buying power as $1.57 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 October 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
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| Dozen eggs | $1.99 → $2.32 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.27 → $4.45 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.80 → $4.10 |
| Pound of bread | $1.37 → $1.86 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.34 → $6.76 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $156.76 |