Prices are now 34% 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 $134.12 today. The inflation rate in 2018 was 2.5%, and total inflation from 2018 to September 2026 was 34%.
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 29%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.74 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.74 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.90 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.29 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $3.72 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.30 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $134.12 |
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 34% between 2018 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 34% inflation between 2018 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Ground coffee117% higher62% higherWas $4.30 in 2018, now $9.33 per lbWas $5.77 in today's dollars, now $9.33 per lb
- Diesel fuel100% higher49% higherWas $3.16 in 2018, now $6.33 per gallonWas $4.24 in today's dollars, now $6.33 per gallon
- Heating oil92% higher43% higherWas $3.09 in 2018, now $5.92 per gallonWas $4.14 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Ground beef83% higher36% higherWas $3.72 in 2018, now $6.79 per lbWas $4.98 in today's dollars, now $6.79 per lb
- Chuck roast77% higher32% higherWas $5.19 in 2018, now $9.19 per lbWas $6.95 in today's dollars, now $9.19 per lb
Less inflation
- Lemons5% lower29% lowerWas $2.25 in 2018, now $2.13 per lbWas $3.02 in today's dollars, now $2.13 per lb
- Butter3% lower27% lowerWas $4.07 in 2018, now $3.96 per lbWas $5.46 in today's dollars, now $3.96 per lb
- Tomatoes4% higher22% lowerWas $1.92 in 2018, now $1.99 per lbWas $2.57 in today's dollars, now $1.99 per lb
- Wine11% higher18% lowerWas $12.46 in 2018, now $13.77 per literWas $16.71 in today's dollars, now $13.77 per liter
- Bananas14% higher15% lowerWas $0.57 in 2018, now $0.66 per lbWas $0.77 in today's dollars, now $0.66 per lb
Food and energy prices in 2018
These are the average prices Americans paid in 2018, next to what the same items cost in September 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$3.67 | Today$4.48 | Change64% higherAfter inflation22% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2018$3.032018, adjusted$4.06 | Today$4.96 | Change64% higherAfter inflation22% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2018$3.272018, adjusted$4.39 | Today$5.43 | Change66% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2018$3.162018, adjusted$4.24 | Today$6.33 | Change100% higherAfter inflation49% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2018$0.142018, adjusted$0.18 | Today$0.20 | Change44% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2018$1.052018, adjusted$1.40 | Today$1.70 | Change62% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2018$3.092018, adjusted$4.14 | Today$5.92 | Change92% higherAfter inflation43% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2018$3.722018, adjusted$4.98 | Today$6.79 | Change83% higherAfter inflation36% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2018$3.732018, adjusted$5.00 | Today$6.48 | Change74% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2018$5.352018, adjusted$7.17 | Today$8.46 | Change58% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2018$8.402018, adjusted$11.27 | Today$14.11 | Change68% higherAfter inflation25% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2018$5.712018, adjusted$7.65 | Today$9.84 | Change72% higherAfter inflation29% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2018$5.032018, adjusted$6.75 | Today$8.80 | Change75% higherAfter inflation30% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2018$5.192018, adjusted$6.95 | Today$9.19 | Change77% higherAfter inflation32% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2018$5.462018, adjusted$7.32 | Today$8.53 | Change56% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2018$5.472018, adjusted$7.33 | Today$6.76 | Change24% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2018$3.732018, adjusted$5.00 | Today$4.55 | Change22% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2018$4.022018, adjusted$5.39 | Today$5.45 | Change36% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2018$1.502018, adjusted$2.01 | Today$2.06 | Change38% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2018$1.422018, adjusted$1.90 | Today$1.74 | Change23% higherAfter inflation8% lower |
| Chicken breast, boneless per lb | 2018$3.082018, adjusted$4.12 | Today$4.20 | Change37% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2018$1.742018, adjusted$2.34 | Today$2.27 | Change30% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2018$2.902018, adjusted$3.88 | Today$4.11 | Change42% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Low-fat milk per gallon | 2018$2.612018, adjusted$3.51 | Today$3.59 | Change37% higherAfter inflation2% higher |
| Butterper lb | 2018$4.072018, adjusted$5.46 | Today$3.96 | Change3% lowerAfter inflation27% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2018$5.142018, adjusted$6.89 | Today$6.13 | Change19% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2018$4.012018, adjusted$5.37 | Today$4.74 | Change18% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2018$4.742018, adjusted$6.36 | Today$5.93 | Change25% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Yogurt per 8 oz | 2018$1.062018, adjusted$1.43 | Today$1.58 | Change48% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2018$0.572018, adjusted$0.77 | Today$0.66 | Change14% higherAfter inflation15% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 2018$1.412018, adjusted$1.89 | Today$1.72 | Change22% higherAfter inflation9% lower |
| Grapefruit per lb | 2018$1.352018, adjusted$1.80 | Today$1.62 | Change21% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Lemons per lb | 2018$2.252018, adjusted$3.02 | Today$2.13 | Change5% lowerAfter inflation29% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2018$2.342018, adjusted$3.14 | Today$2.84 | Change21% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2018$1.922018, adjusted$2.57 | Today$1.99 | Change4% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2018$0.742018, adjusted$0.99 | Today$0.99 | Change34% higherAfter inflationno change |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2018$0.942018, adjusted$1.27 | Today$1.64 | Change73% higherAfter inflation29% higher |
| Romaine lettuce per lb | 2018$2.102018, adjusted$2.81 | Today$3.31 | Change58% higherAfter inflation18% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2018$1.342018, adjusted$1.80 | Today$1.67 | Change24% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2018$1.292018, adjusted$1.72 | Today$1.83 | Change42% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Flour per lb | 2018$0.462018, adjusted$0.62 | Today$0.55 | Change18% higherAfter inflation12% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2018$0.692018, adjusted$0.93 | Today$1.12 | Change61% higherAfter inflation20% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2018$1.192018, adjusted$1.59 | Today$1.38 | Change16% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2018$0.622018, adjusted$0.83 | Today$1.02 | Change65% higherAfter inflation23% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2018$3.502018, adjusted$4.69 | Today$5.15 | Change47% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2018$4.452018, adjusted$5.96 | Today$6.67 | Change50% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20182018 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2018$4.302018, adjusted$5.77 | Today$9.33 | Change117% higherAfter inflation62% higher |
| Soda per 2 liters | 2018$1.462018, adjusted$1.96 | Today$2.27 | Change56% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2018$1.412018, adjusted$1.90 | Today$1.88 | Change33% higherAfter inflation1% lower |
| Wineper liter | 2018$12.462018, adjusted$16.71 | Today$13.77 | Change11% higherAfter inflation18% 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 September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 3% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 22% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.11. After adjusting for inflation, that's 6% 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. 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 September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 36% 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 September 2026, the average price was $9.33. 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 $1.34 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 September 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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| Dozen eggs | $1.74 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.74 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $2.90 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.29 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $3.72 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.30 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $134.12 |