Prices are now 33% higher than in 2018
In 2018, a dozen eggs cost $1.74, a gallon of gas cost $2.74 and a gallon of milk cost $2.90.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2018 costs about $133.34 today. The inflation rate in 2018 was 2.5%, and total inflation from 2018 to August 2026 was 33%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2018 was for ground coffee (up 62%), and the biggest drop was for lemons (down 30%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.74 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.74 → $4.20 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.90 → $4.23 |
| Pound of bread | $1.29 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $3.72 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.30 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $133.34 |
Biggest price changes since 2018
The lists below break down price changes by item.
Each list shows average prices in 2018 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 33% between 2018 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 33% inflation between 2018 and August 2026.
More inflation
- Ground coffee116% higher62% higherWas $4.30 in 2018, now $9.30 per lbWas $5.74 in today's dollars, now $9.30 per lb
- Ground beef86% higher40% higherWas $3.72 in 2018, now $6.92 per lbWas $4.95 in today's dollars, now $6.92 per lb
- Chuck roast82% higher37% higherWas $5.19 in 2018, now $9.45 per lbWas $6.91 in today's dollars, now $9.45 per lb
- Ground chuck82% higher36% higherWas $3.73 in 2018, now $6.77 per lbWas $4.97 in today's dollars, now $6.77 per lb
- Round roast78% higher34% higherWas $5.03 in 2018, now $8.96 per lbWas $6.71 in today's dollars, now $8.96 per lb
Less inflation
- Lemons6% lower30% lowerWas $2.25 in 2018, now $2.11 per lbWas $3.00 in today's dollars, now $2.11 per lb
- Butter1% lower26% lowerWas $4.07 in 2018, now $4.02 per lbWas $5.43 in today's dollars, now $4.02 per lb
- Tomatoes3% higher23% lowerWas $1.92 in 2018, now $1.98 per lbWas $2.56 in today's dollars, now $1.98 per lb
- Strawberries10% higher18% lowerWas $2.34 in 2018, now $2.58 per 12 ozWas $3.13 in today's dollars, now $2.58 per 12 oz
- Wine10% higher17% lowerWas $12.46 in 2018, now $13.75 per literWas $16.61 in today's dollars, now $13.75 per liter
Food and energy prices in 2018
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2018, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 2018 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2018$2.742018, adjusted$3.65 | Today$4.20 | Change54% higherAfter inflation15% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2018$3.032018, adjusted$4.04 | Today$4.69 | Change55% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2018$3.272018, adjusted$4.36 | Today$5.13 | Change57% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2018$3.162018, adjusted$4.21 | Today$5.55 | Change76% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2018$0.142018, adjusted$0.18 | Today$0.20 | Change44% higherAfter inflation8% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2018$1.052018, adjusted$1.40 | Today$1.71 | Change64% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2018$3.092018, adjusted$4.12 | Today$5.15 | Change67% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2018$3.722018, adjusted$4.95 | Today$6.92 | Change86% higherAfter inflation40% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2018$3.732018, adjusted$4.97 | Today$6.77 | Change82% higherAfter inflation36% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2018$5.352018, adjusted$7.13 | Today$8.57 | Change60% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2018$8.402018, adjusted$11.20 | Today$14.36 | Change71% higherAfter inflation28% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2018$5.712018, adjusted$7.61 | Today$9.69 | Change70% higherAfter inflation27% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2018$5.032018, adjusted$6.71 | Today$8.96 | Change78% higherAfter inflation34% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2018$5.192018, adjusted$6.91 | Today$9.45 | Change82% higherAfter inflation37% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2018$5.462018, adjusted$7.28 | Today$8.59 | Change57% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2018$5.472018, adjusted$7.29 | Today$6.61 | Change21% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2018$3.732018, adjusted$4.97 | Today$4.53 | Change21% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2018$4.022018, adjusted$5.36 | Today$5.38 | Change34% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2018$1.502018, adjusted$2.00 | Today$2.01 | Change34% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2018$1.422018, adjusted$1.89 | Today$1.67 | Change18% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Chicken breast, boneless per lb | 2018$3.082018, adjusted$4.10 | Today$4.17 | Change36% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2018$1.742018, adjusted$2.32 | Today$2.27 | Change30% higherAfter inflation2% lower |
| Whole milk per gallon | 2018$2.902018, adjusted$3.86 | Today$4.23 | Change46% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Low-fat milk per gallon | 2018$2.612018, adjusted$3.49 | Today$3.72 | Change42% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Butterper lb | 2018$4.072018, adjusted$5.43 | Today$4.02 | Change1% lowerAfter inflation26% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2018$5.142018, adjusted$6.85 | Today$5.98 | Change17% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2018$4.012018, adjusted$5.34 | Today$4.75 | Change18% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2018$4.742018, adjusted$6.32 | Today$5.85 | Change24% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Yogurt per 8 oz | 2018$1.062018, adjusted$1.42 | Today$1.58 | Change49% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2018$0.572018, adjusted$0.77 | Today$0.65 | Change14% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 2018$1.412018, adjusted$1.88 | Today$1.71 | Change21% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Grapefruit per lb | 2018$1.352018, adjusted$1.79 | Today$1.60 | Change19% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2018$2.252018, adjusted$3.00 | Today$2.11 | Change6% lowerAfter inflation30% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2018$2.342018, adjusted$3.13 | Today$2.58 | Change10% higherAfter inflation18% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2018$1.922018, adjusted$2.56 | Today$1.98 | Change3% higherAfter inflation23% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2018$0.742018, adjusted$0.99 | Today$0.98 | Change32% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2018$0.942018, adjusted$1.26 | Today$1.47 | Change56% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Romaine lettuce per lb | 2018$2.102018, adjusted$2.80 | Today$3.29 | Change57% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2018$1.342018, adjusted$1.79 | Today$1.63 | Change21% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2018$1.292018, adjusted$1.71 | Today$1.82 | Change42% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 2018$0.462018, adjusted$0.62 | Today$0.55 | Change19% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2018$0.692018, adjusted$0.92 | Today$1.11 | Change60% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2018$1.192018, adjusted$1.58 | Today$1.37 | Change16% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2018$0.622018, adjusted$0.82 | Today$1.02 | Change66% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2018$3.502018, adjusted$4.67 | Today$5.21 | Change49% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2018$4.452018, adjusted$5.93 | Today$6.75 | Change52% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2018$4.302018, adjusted$5.74 | Today$9.30 | Change116% higherAfter inflation62% higher |
| Soda per 2 liters | 2018$1.462018, adjusted$1.95 | Today$2.23 | Change53% higherAfter inflation14% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2018$1.412018, adjusted$1.88 | Today$1.88 | Change33% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Wineper liter | 2018$12.462018, adjusted$16.61 | Today$13.75 | Change10% higherAfter inflation17% lower |
Frequently asked questions
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2018?
A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.74 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 2018.
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2018?
A gallon of gas cost an average of $2.74 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 15% higher than in 2018.
How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2018?
A gallon of milk cost an average of $2.90 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $4.23. After adjusting for inflation, that's 10% higher than in 2018.
How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2018?
A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.29 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% higher than in 2018.
How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2018?
A pound of ground beef cost an average of $3.72 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 40% higher than in 2018.
How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2018?
A pound of coffee cost an average of $4.30 in 2018. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 62% higher than in 2018.
How much is $1 from 2018 worth today?
$1 in 2018 has about the same buying power as $1.33 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 2018?
The U.S. inflation rate in 2018 was 2.5%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2017 to 2018.
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 2018 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.
To adjust 2018 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2018 inflation calculator. The raw price data is available on the BLS website.
Prices in other years
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- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
| Dozen eggs | $1.74 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.74 → $4.20 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.90 → $4.23 |
| Pound of bread | $1.29 → $1.82 |
| Pound of ground beef | $3.72 → $6.92 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.30 → $9.30 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $133.34 |