Prices in 2020 vs. today

Prices are now 29% higher than in 2020

In 2020, a dozen eggs cost $1.51, a gallon of gas cost $2.17 and a gallon of milk cost $3.32.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 2020 costs about $129.43 today. The inflation rate in 2020 was 1.2%, and total inflation from 2020 to August 2026 was 29%.

The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2020 was for heating oil (up 74%), and the biggest drop was for tomatoes (down 22%).

What things cost in 2020
Dozen eggs$1.51 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.17 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.32 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.45 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$4.12 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$4.43 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $129.43

Biggest price changes since 2020

The lists below break down price changes by item.

Each list shows average prices in 2020 compared to the price today. These are the actual prices people paid on average. For comparison, prices overall rose 29% between 2020 and August 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 29% inflation between 2020 and August 2026.

More inflation

  • Heating oil125% higher74% higher
    Was $2.29 in 2020, now $5.15 per gallonWas $2.96 in today's dollars, now $5.15 per gallon
  • Diesel fuel112% higher63% higher
    Was $2.62 in 2020, now $5.55 per gallonWas $3.39 in today's dollars, now $5.55 per gallon
  • Ground coffee110% higher62% higher
    Was $4.43 in 2020, now $9.30 per lbWas $5.74 in today's dollars, now $9.30 per lb
  • Gasoline, regular93% higher49% higher
    Was $2.17 in 2020, now $4.20 per gallonWas $2.81 in today's dollars, now $4.20 per gallon
  • Gasoline, midgrade86% higher44% higher
    Was $2.52 in 2020, now $4.69 per gallonWas $3.26 in today's dollars, now $4.69 per gallon

Less inflation

  • Tomatoes1% higher22% lower
    Was $1.96 in 2020, now $1.98 per lbWas $2.54 in today's dollars, now $1.98 per lb
  • Strawberries3% higher20% lower
    Was $2.49 in 2020, now $2.58 per 12 ozWas $3.23 in today's dollars, now $2.58 per 12 oz
  • Chicken legs8% higher17% lower
    Was $1.55 in 2020, now $1.67 per lbWas $2.01 in today's dollars, now $1.67 per lb
  • Pork chops, boneless8% higher16% lower
    Was $4.18 in 2020, now $4.53 per lbWas $5.41 in today's dollars, now $4.53 per lb
  • Spaghetti & macaroni9% higher16% lower
    Was $1.26 in 2020, now $1.37 per lbWas $1.63 in today's dollars, now $1.37 per lb

Food and energy prices in 2020

These are the average prices Americans paid in 2020, next to what the same items cost in August 2026.These 2020 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.

Gas & energy

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Gasoline, regularper gallon2020$2.172020, adjusted$2.81Today$4.20Change93% higherAfter inflation49% higher
Gasoline, midgradeper gallon2020$2.522020, adjusted$3.26Today$4.69Change86% higherAfter inflation44% higher
Gasoline, premiumper gallon2020$2.792020, adjusted$3.61Today$5.13Change84% higherAfter inflation42% higher
Diesel fuel per gallon2020$2.622020, adjusted$3.39Today$5.55Change112% higherAfter inflation63% higher
Electricityper kWh2020$0.142020, adjusted$0.18Today$0.20Change45% higherAfter inflation12% higher
Natural gas (piped)per therm2020$1.052020, adjusted$1.37Today$1.71Change62% higherAfter inflation26% higher
Heating oilper gallon2020$2.292020, adjusted$2.96Today$5.15Change125% higherAfter inflation74% higher

Meat & poultry

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground beef per lb2020$4.122020, adjusted$5.33Today$6.92Change68% higherAfter inflation30% higher
Ground chuck per lb2020$4.392020, adjusted$5.68Today$6.77Change54% higherAfter inflation19% higher
Ground beef, lean per lb2020$5.802020, adjusted$7.51Today$8.57Change48% higherAfter inflation14% higher
Sirloin steak per lb2020$8.952020, adjusted$11.59Today$14.36Change60% higherAfter inflation24% higher
Round steak per lb2020$6.532020, adjusted$8.46Today$9.69Change48% higherAfter inflation15% higher
Round roast per lb2020$5.692020, adjusted$7.36Today$8.96Change58% higherAfter inflation22% higher
Chuck roast per lb2020$6.012020, adjusted$7.78Today$9.45Change57% higherAfter inflation21% higher
Beef stew meat per lb2020$5.962020, adjusted$7.72Today$8.59Change44% higherAfter inflation11% higher
Baconper lb2020$5.582020, adjusted$7.22Today$6.61Change18% higherAfter inflation9% lower
Pork chops, boneless per lb2020$4.182020, adjusted$5.41Today$4.53Change8% higherAfter inflation16% lower
Ham, bonelessper lb2020$4.492020, adjusted$5.81Today$5.38Change20% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Whole chickenper lb2020$1.562020, adjusted$2.02Today$2.01Change29% higherAfter inflation1% lower
Chicken legs per lb2020$1.552020, adjusted$2.01Today$1.67Change8% higherAfter inflation17% lower
Chicken breast, boneless per lb2020$3.222020, adjusted$4.17Today$4.17Change29% higherAfter inflationno change

Dairy & eggs

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Eggs, grade A largeper dozen2020$1.512020, adjusted$1.95Today$2.27Change51% higherAfter inflation17% higher
Whole milk per gallon2020$3.322020, adjusted$4.30Today$4.23Change27% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Low-fat milk per gallon2020$2.942020, adjusted$3.80Today$3.72Change26% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Butterper lb2020$3.622020, adjusted$4.69Today$4.02Change11% higherAfter inflation14% lower
Cheddar cheese per lb2020$5.502020, adjusted$7.11Today$5.98Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower
American cheese per lb2020$4.102020, adjusted$5.31Today$4.75Change16% higherAfter inflation11% lower
Ice cream per ½ gallon2020$4.922020, adjusted$6.37Today$5.85Change19% higherAfter inflation8% lower
Yogurt per 8 oz2020$1.212020, adjusted$1.56Today$1.58Change31% higherAfter inflation2% higher

Fruits & vegetables

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Bananasper lb2020$0.582020, adjusted$0.75Today$0.65Change13% higherAfter inflation13% lower
Navel orangesper lb2020$1.242020, adjusted$1.61Today$1.71Change37% higherAfter inflation6% higher
Grapefruit per lb2020$1.212020, adjusted$1.56Today$1.60Change33% higherAfter inflation3% higher
Lemons per lb2020$1.932020, adjusted$2.50Today$2.11Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower
Strawberries per 12 oz2020$2.492020, adjusted$3.23Today$2.58Change3% higherAfter inflation20% lower
Tomatoesper lb2020$1.962020, adjusted$2.54Today$1.98Change1% higherAfter inflation22% lower
Potatoesper lb2020$0.812020, adjusted$1.05Today$0.98Change20% higherAfter inflation7% lower
Iceberg lettuceper lb2020$1.292020, adjusted$1.68Today$1.47Change14% higherAfter inflation12% lower
Romaine lettuce per lb2020$2.092020, adjusted$2.71Today$3.29Change57% higherAfter inflation21% higher
Dried beans per lb2020$1.432020, adjusted$1.85Today$1.63Change14% higherAfter inflation12% lower

Pantry & bakery

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
White breadper lb2020$1.452020, adjusted$1.88Today$1.82Change26% higherAfter inflation3% lower
Flour per lb2020$0.452020, adjusted$0.58Today$0.55Change21% higherAfter inflation6% lower
Riceper lb2020$0.762020, adjusted$0.98Today$1.11Change46% higherAfter inflation13% higher
Spaghetti & macaroniper lb2020$1.262020, adjusted$1.63Today$1.37Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower
Sugar per lb2020$0.632020, adjusted$0.82Today$1.02Change62% higherAfter inflation25% higher
Chocolate chip cookiesper lb2020$3.702020, adjusted$4.79Today$5.21Change41% higherAfter inflation9% higher
Potato chipsper 16 oz2020$4.922020, adjusted$6.37Today$6.75Change37% higherAfter inflation6% higher

Drinks

Item20202020 (adjusted)TodayChangeChange after inflation
Ground coffeeper lb2020$4.432020, adjusted$5.74Today$9.30Change110% higherAfter inflation62% higher
Soda per 2 liters2020$1.652020, adjusted$2.13Today$2.23Change35% higherAfter inflation4% higher
Beerper 16 oz2020$1.482020, adjusted$1.92Today$1.88Change27% higherAfter inflation2% lower
Wineper liter2020$12.422020, adjusted$16.07Today$13.75Change11% higherAfter inflation14% lower

Frequently asked questions

How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2020?

A dozen eggs cost an average of $1.51 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 17% higher than in 2020.

How much did a gallon of gas cost in 2020?

A gallon of gas cost an average of $2.17 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $4.20. After adjusting for inflation, that's 49% higher than in 2020.

How much did a gallon of milk cost in 2020?

A gallon of milk cost an average of $3.32 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $4.23. After adjusting for inflation, that's 2% lower than in 2020.

How much did a pound of white bread cost in 2020?

A pound of white bread cost an average of $1.45 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $1.82. After adjusting for inflation, that's 3% lower than in 2020.

How much did a pound of ground beef cost in 2020?

A pound of ground beef cost an average of $4.12 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $6.92. After adjusting for inflation, that's 30% higher than in 2020.

How much did a pound of coffee cost in 2020?

A pound of coffee cost an average of $4.43 in 2020. In August 2026, the average price was $9.30. After adjusting for inflation, that's 62% higher than in 2020.

How much is $1 from 2020 worth today?

$1 in 2020 has about the same buying power as $1.29 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

What was the inflation rate in 2020?

The U.S. inflation rate in 2020 was 1.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 2019 to 2020.

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 2020 prices are averages for the whole year, and today's prices are from August 2026.

To adjust 2020 prices for inflation, we use the same consumer price index as our 2020 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 2020
Dozen eggs$1.51 → $2.27
Gallon of gas$2.17 → $4.20
Gallon of milk$3.32 → $4.23
Pound of bread$1.45 → $1.82
Pound of ground beef$4.12 → $6.92
Pound of coffee$4.43 → $9.30
All prices, on average$100.00 → $129.43