Prices in 2016 vs. today

Prices are now 40% higher than in 2016

In 2016, a dozen eggs cost $1.68, a gallon of gas cost $2.14 and a gallon of milk cost $3.20.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2016 costs about $139.57 today. The inflation rate in 2016 was 1.3%, and total inflation from 2016 to August 2026 was 40%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2016 was for heating oil (up 75%), and the biggest drop was for tomatoes (down 26%).

What things cost in 2016
Dozen eggs$1.68 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.14 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.20 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.37 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$3.75 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$4.39 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $139.57

Biggest price changes since 2016

The lists below break down price changes by item.

Each list shows average prices in 2016 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 40% between 2016 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 40% inflation between 2016 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Heating oil144% higher75% higher
    Was $2.11 in 2016, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.95 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Diesel fuel142% higher73% higher
    Was $2.29 in 2016, now $5.55 per gallonWas $3.20 in today's dollars, now $5.55 per gallon
  • Ground coffee112% higher52% higher
    Was $4.39 in 2016, now $9.30 per lbWas $6.13 in today's dollars, now $9.30 per lb
  • Gasoline, premium97% higher41% higher
    Was $2.61 in 2016, now $5.13 per gallonWas $3.64 in today's dollars, now $5.13 per gallon
  • Gasoline, regular96% higher41% higher
    Was $2.14 in 2016, now $4.20 per gallonWas $2.99 in today's dollars, now $4.20 per gallon

Less inflation

  • Tomatoes3% higher26% lower
    Was $1.93 in 2016, now $1.98 per lbWas $2.69 in today's dollars, now $1.98 per lb
  • Lemons4% higher26% lower
    Was $2.04 in 2016, now $2.11 per lbWas $2.84 in today's dollars, now $2.11 per lb
  • Flour4% higher25% lower
    Was $0.53 in 2016, now $0.55 per lbWas $0.73 in today's dollars, now $0.55 per lb
  • Spaghetti & macaroni6% higher24% lower
    Was $1.30 in 2016, now $1.37 per lbWas $1.81 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb
  • Strawberries6% higher24% lower
    Was $2.44 in 2016, now $2.58 per 12 ozWas $3.40 in today's dollars, now $2.58 per 12 oz

Food and energy prices in 2016

These are the average prices Americans paid in 2016, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 2016 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon2016$2.142016, adjusted$2.99Today$4.20Change96% higherAfter inflation41% higher
Gasoline, midgradeper gallon2016$2.402016, adjusted$3.35Today$4.69Change95% higherAfter inflation40% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon2016$2.612016, adjusted$3.64Today$5.13Change97% higherAfter inflation41% higher
Diesel fuel per gallon2016$2.292016, adjusted$3.20Today$5.55Change142% higherAfter inflation73% higher
Electricityper kWh2016$0.142016, adjusted$0.19Today$0.20Change45% higherAfter inflation4% higher
Natural gas (piped)per therm2016$0.922016, adjusted$1.29Today$1.71Change86% higherAfter inflation33% higher
Heating oilper gallon2016$2.112016, adjusted$2.95Today$5.15Change144% higherAfter inflation75% higher

Meat & poultry

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb2016$3.752016, adjusted$5.23Today$6.92Change85% higherAfter inflation32% higher
Ground chuck per lb2016$3.852016, adjusted$5.37Today$6.77Change76% higherAfter inflation26% higher
Ground beef, lean per lb2016$5.712016, adjusted$7.97Today$8.57Change50% higherAfter inflation8% higher
Sirloin steak per lb2016$8.392016, adjusted$11.70Today$14.36Change71% higherAfter inflation23% higher
Round steak per lb2016$5.902016, adjusted$8.23Today$9.69Change64% higherAfter inflation18% higher
Round roast per lb2016$5.212016, adjusted$7.27Today$8.96Change72% higherAfter inflation23% higher
Chuck roast per lb2016$5.222016, adjusted$7.29Today$9.45Change81% higherAfter inflation30% higher
Beef stew meat per lb2016$5.322016, adjusted$7.42Today$8.59Change61% higherAfter inflation16% higher
Baconper lb2016$5.422016, adjusted$7.57Today$6.61Change22% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Pork chops, boneless per lb2016$4.092016, adjusted$5.71Today$4.53Change11% higherAfter inflation21% lower
Ham, bonelessper lb2016$4.032016, adjusted$5.63Today$5.38Change33% higherAfter inflation4% lower
Whole chickenper lb2016$1.462016, adjusted$2.04Today$2.01Change37% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Chicken legs per lb2016$1.532016, adjusted$2.13Today$1.67Change9% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Chicken breast, boneless per lb2016$3.252016, adjusted$4.54Today$4.17Change28% higherAfter inflation8% lower

Dairy & eggs

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen2016$1.682016, adjusted$2.35Today$2.27Change35% higherAfter inflation3% lower
Whole milk per gallon2016$3.202016, adjusted$4.47Today$4.23Change32% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb2016$5.232016, adjusted$7.31Today$5.98Change14% higherAfter inflation18% lower
American cheese per lb2016$4.372016, adjusted$6.09Today$4.75Change9% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon2016$4.762016, adjusted$6.65Today$5.85Change23% higherAfter inflation12% lower

Fruits & vegetables

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb2016$0.572016, adjusted$0.80Today$0.65Change14% higherAfter inflation18% lower
Navel orangesper lb2016$1.252016, adjusted$1.74Today$1.71Change37% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Grapefruit per lb2016$1.162016, adjusted$1.62Today$1.60Change38% higherAfter inflation1% lower
Lemons per lb2016$2.042016, adjusted$2.84Today$2.11Change4% higherAfter inflation26% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz2016$2.442016, adjusted$3.40Today$2.58Change6% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Tomatoesper lb2016$1.932016, adjusted$2.69Today$1.98Change3% higherAfter inflation26% lower
Potatoesper lb2016$0.682016, adjusted$0.95Today$0.98Change43% higherAfter inflation3% higher
Iceberg lettuceper lb2016$1.062016, adjusted$1.48Today$1.47Change38% higherAfter inflation1% lower
Romaine lettuce per lb2016$1.922016, adjusted$2.68Today$3.29Change71% higherAfter inflation22% higher
Dried beans per lb2016$1.412016, adjusted$1.97Today$1.63Change15% higherAfter inflation17% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb2016$1.372016, adjusted$1.91Today$1.82Change33% higherAfter inflation5% lower
Flour per lb2016$0.532016, adjusted$0.73Today$0.55Change4% higherAfter inflation25% lower
Riceper lb2016$0.722016, adjusted$1.00Today$1.11Change55% higherAfter inflation11% higher
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb2016$1.302016, adjusted$1.81Today$1.37Change6% higherAfter inflation24% lower
Sugar per lb2016$0.642016, adjusted$0.90Today$1.02Change60% higherAfter inflation14% higher
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb2016$3.352016, adjusted$4.67Today$5.21Change56% higherAfter inflation12% higher
Potato chipsper 16 oz2016$4.462016, adjusted$6.23Today$6.75Change51% higherAfter inflation8% higher

Drinks

Item20162016 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb2016$4.392016, adjusted$6.13Today$9.30Change112% higherAfter inflation52% higher
Beerper 16 oz2016$1.352016, adjusted$1.89Today$1.88Change39% higherAfter inflation1% lower
Wineper liter2016$12.332016, adjusted$17.22Today$13.75Change11% higherAfter inflation20% lower

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2016?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.68 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 3% lower than in 2016.

How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2016?

A gallon of gas cost an average of $2.14 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 41% higher than in 2016.

How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2016?

A gallon of milk cost an average of $3.20 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $4.23. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% lower than in 2016.

How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2016?

A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.37 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% lower than in 2016.

How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2016?

A pound of ground beef cost an average of $3.75 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 32% higher than in 2016.

How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2016?

A pound of coffee cost an average of $4.39 in 2016. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 52% higher than in 2016.

How much is $1 from 2016 worth today?

$1 in 2016 has about the same buying power as $1.40 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

What was the inflation rate in 2016?

The U.S. inflation rate in 2016 was 1.3%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2015 to 2016.

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 2016 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.

To adjust 2016 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2016 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.

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What things cost in 2016
Dozen eggs$1.68 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.14 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.20 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.37 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$3.75 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$4.39 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $139.57