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 $156.50 today. The inflation rate in 2008 was 3.8%, and total inflation from 2008 to September 2026 was 56%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2008 was for ground beef (up 85%), and the biggest drop was for lemons (down 32%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.99 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.27 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.80 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.37 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.34 → $6.79 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $156.50 |
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 September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 56% inflation between 2008 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Ground beef190% higher85% higherWas $2.34 in 2008, now $6.79 per lbWas $3.67 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Chuck roast160% higher66% higherWas $3.54 in 2008, now $9.19 per lbWas $5.53 in today's dollars, now $9.19 per lb
- Ground beef, lean159% higher66% higherWas $3.26 in 2008, now $8.46 per lbWas $5.10 in today's dollars, now $8.46 per lb
- Sirloin steak135% higher50% higherWas $5.99 in 2008, now $14.11 per lbWas $9.38 in today's dollars, now $14.11 per lb
- Round steak132% higher48% higherWas $4.24 in 2008, now $9.84 per lbWas $6.63 in today's dollars, now $9.84 per lb
Less inflation
- Lemons6% higher32% lowerWas $2.01 in 2008, now $2.13 per lbWas $3.14 in today's dollars, now $2.13 per lb
- Flour8% higher31% lowerWas $0.51 in 2008, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.79 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
- Bananas8% higher31% lowerWas $0.61 in 2008, now $0.66 per lbWas $0.95 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
- Whole milk8% higher31% lowerWas $3.80 in 2008, now $4.11 per gallonWas $5.94 in today's dollars, now $4.11 per gallon
- Tomatoes14% higher27% lowerWas $1.74 in 2008, now $1.99 per lbWas $2.73 in today's dollars, now $1.99 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 September 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$5.11 | Today$4.48 | Change37% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2008$3.382008, adjusted$5.29 | Today$4.96 | Change47% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2008$3.522008, adjusted$5.51 | Today$5.43 | Change54% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2008$3.912008, adjusted$6.13 | Today$6.33 | Change62% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2008$0.122008, adjusted$0.19 | Today$0.20 | Change59% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2008$1.442008, adjusted$2.26 | Today$1.70 | Change18% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2008$3.752008, adjusted$5.87 | Today$5.92 | Change58% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2008$2.342008, adjusted$3.67 | Today$6.79 | Change190% higherAfter inflation85% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2008$2.872008, adjusted$4.50 | Today$6.48 | Change126% higherAfter inflation44% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2008$3.262008, adjusted$5.10 | Today$8.46 | Change159% higherAfter inflation66% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2008$5.992008, adjusted$9.38 | Today$14.11 | Change135% higherAfter inflation50% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2008$4.242008, adjusted$6.63 | Today$9.84 | Change132% higherAfter inflation48% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2008$3.962008, adjusted$6.20 | Today$8.80 | Change122% higherAfter inflation42% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2008$3.542008, adjusted$5.53 | Today$9.19 | Change160% higherAfter inflation66% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2008$3.792008, adjusted$5.92 | Today$8.53 | Change125% higherAfter inflation44% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2008$3.662008, adjusted$5.73 | Today$6.76 | Change85% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2008$3.742008, adjusted$5.86 | Today$4.55 | Change22% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2008$3.212008, adjusted$5.03 | Today$5.45 | Change70% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.89 | Today$2.06 | Change71% higherAfter inflation9% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2008$1.422008, adjusted$2.23 | Today$1.74 | Change22% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Chicken breast, boneless per lb | 2008$3.402008, adjusted$5.32 | Today$4.20 | Change24% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2008$1.992008, adjusted$3.11 | Today$2.27 | Change14% higherAfter inflation27% lower |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2008$3.802008, adjusted$5.94 | Today$4.11 | Change8% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2008$4.732008, adjusted$7.39 | Today$6.13 | Change30% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2008$4.042008, adjusted$6.33 | Today$4.74 | Change17% higherAfter inflation25% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2008$4.212008, adjusted$6.59 | Today$5.93 | Change41% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2008$0.612008, adjusted$0.95 | Today$0.66 | Change8% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 2008$1.122008, adjusted$1.75 | Today$1.72 | Change54% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Grapefruit per lb | 2008$0.972008, adjusted$1.51 | Today$1.62 | Change68% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 2008$2.012008, adjusted$3.14 | Today$2.13 | Change6% higherAfter inflation32% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2008$2.292008, adjusted$3.58 | Today$2.84 | Change24% higherAfter inflation21% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2008$1.742008, adjusted$2.73 | Today$1.99 | Change14% higherAfter inflation27% 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$1.64 | Change81% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Romaine lettuce per lb | 2008$1.712008, adjusted$2.68 | Today$3.31 | Change94% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2008$1.212008, adjusted$1.89 | Today$1.67 | Change38% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2008$1.372008, adjusted$2.14 | Today$1.83 | Change34% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Flour per lb | 2008$0.512008, adjusted$0.79 | Today$0.55 | Change8% higherAfter inflation31% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2008$0.732008, adjusted$1.15 | Today$1.12 | Change53% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2008$1.122008, adjusted$1.75 | Today$1.38 | Change23% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2008$0.532008, adjusted$0.83 | Today$1.02 | Change93% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2008$2.882008, adjusted$4.51 | Today$5.15 | Change79% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2008$4.022008, adjusted$6.29 | Today$6.67 | Change66% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20082008 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beerper 16 oz | 2008$1.162008, adjusted$1.82 | Today$1.88 | Change61% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Wineper liter | 2008$9.452008, adjusted$14.79 | Today$13.77 | Change46% 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 September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 27% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 12% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.11. 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. 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 September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 85% 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 September 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 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.27 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.80 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.37 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $2.34 → $6.79 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $156.50 |