Prices are now 30% 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 $130.19 today. The inflation rate in 2020 was 1.2%, and total inflation from 2020 to September 2026 was 30%.
The effects of inflation can vary. Adjusted for inflation, the biggest increase since 2020 was for heating oil (up 99%), and the biggest drop was for tomatoes (down 22%).
| Dozen eggs | $1.51 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.17 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.32 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.45 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $4.12 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.43 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $130.19 |
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 30% between 2020 and September 2026.These prices are inflation-adjusted, meaning all values shown are adjusted for the baseline of 30% inflation between 2020 and September 2026.
More inflation
- Heating oil159% higher99% higherWas $2.29 in 2020, now $5.92 per gallonWas $2.98 in today's dollars, now $5.92 per gallon
- Diesel fuel141% higher85% higherWas $2.62 in 2020, now $6.33 per gallonWas $3.41 in today's dollars, now $6.33 per gallon
- Ground coffee111% higher62% higherWas $4.43 in 2020, now $9.33 per lbWas $5.77 in today's dollars, now $9.33 per lb
- Gasoline, regular106% higher58% higherWas $2.17 in 2020, now $4.48 per gallonWas $2.83 in today's dollars, now $4.48 per gallon
- Gasoline, midgrade97% higher51% higherWas $2.52 in 2020, now $4.96 per gallonWas $3.28 in today's dollars, now $4.96 per gallon
Less inflation
- Tomatoes1% higher22% lowerWas $1.96 in 2020, now $1.99 per lbWas $2.56 in today's dollars, now $1.99 per lb
- Pork chops, boneless9% higher16% lowerWas $4.18 in 2020, now $4.55 per lbWas $5.45 in today's dollars, now $4.55 per lb
- Spaghetti & macaroni9% higher16% lowerWas $1.26 in 2020, now $1.38 per lbWas $1.64 in today's dollars, now $1.38 per lb
- Butter9% higher16% lowerWas $3.62 in 2020, now $3.96 per lbWas $4.71 in today's dollars, now $3.96 per lb
- Lemons10% higher16% lowerWas $1.93 in 2020, now $2.13 per lbWas $2.52 in today's dollars, now $2.13 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 September 2026.These 2020 prices are converted to today's dollars. This means that the changes are relative to inflation.
Gas & energy
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regularper gallon | 2020$2.172020, adjusted$2.83 | Today$4.48 | Change106% higherAfter inflation58% higher |
| Gasoline, midgradeper gallon | 2020$2.522020, adjusted$3.28 | Today$4.96 | Change97% higherAfter inflation51% higher |
| Gasoline, premiumper gallon | 2020$2.792020, adjusted$3.63 | Today$5.43 | Change94% higherAfter inflation49% higher |
| Diesel fuel per gallon | 2020$2.622020, adjusted$3.41 | Today$6.33 | Change141% higherAfter inflation85% higher |
| Electricityper kWh | 2020$0.142020, adjusted$0.18 | Today$0.20 | Change45% higherAfter inflation11% higher |
| Natural gas (piped)per therm | 2020$1.052020, adjusted$1.37 | Today$1.70 | Change61% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Heating oilper gallon | 2020$2.292020, adjusted$2.98 | Today$5.92 | Change159% higherAfter inflation99% higher |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef per lb | 2020$4.122020, adjusted$5.36 | Today$6.79 | Change65% higherAfter inflation27% higher |
| Ground chuck per lb | 2020$4.392020, adjusted$5.71 | Today$6.48 | Change48% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Ground beef, lean per lb | 2020$5.802020, adjusted$7.55 | Today$8.46 | Change46% higherAfter inflation12% higher |
| Sirloin steak per lb | 2020$8.952020, adjusted$11.65 | Today$14.11 | Change58% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Round steak per lb | 2020$6.532020, adjusted$8.51 | Today$9.84 | Change51% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Round roast per lb | 2020$5.692020, adjusted$7.40 | Today$8.80 | Change55% higherAfter inflation19% higher |
| Chuck roast per lb | 2020$6.012020, adjusted$7.83 | Today$9.19 | Change53% higherAfter inflation17% higher |
| Beef stew meat per lb | 2020$5.962020, adjusted$7.76 | Today$8.53 | Change43% higherAfter inflation10% higher |
| Baconper lb | 2020$5.582020, adjusted$7.27 | Today$6.76 | Change21% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Pork chops, boneless per lb | 2020$4.182020, adjusted$5.45 | Today$4.55 | Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Ham, bonelessper lb | 2020$4.492020, adjusted$5.84 | Today$5.45 | Change21% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Whole chickenper lb | 2020$1.562020, adjusted$2.03 | Today$2.06 | Change32% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
| Chicken legs per lb | 2020$1.552020, adjusted$2.02 | Today$1.74 | Change12% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| Chicken breast, boneless per lb | 2020$3.222020, adjusted$4.20 | Today$4.20 | Change30% higherAfter inflationno change |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A largeper dozen | 2020$1.512020, adjusted$1.96 | Today$2.27 | Change51% higherAfter inflation16% higher |
| Whole milkper gallon | 2020$3.322020, adjusted$4.32 | Today$4.11 | Change24% higherAfter inflation5% lower |
| Low-fat milk per gallon | 2020$2.942020, adjusted$3.83 | Today$3.59 | Change22% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Butterper lb | 2020$3.622020, adjusted$4.71 | Today$3.96 | Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Cheddar cheese per lb | 2020$5.502020, adjusted$7.16 | Today$6.13 | Change12% higherAfter inflation14% lower |
| American cheese per lb | 2020$4.102020, adjusted$5.34 | Today$4.74 | Change15% higherAfter inflation11% lower |
| Ice cream per ½ gallon | 2020$4.922020, adjusted$6.41 | Today$5.93 | Change20% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Yogurt per 8 oz | 2020$1.212020, adjusted$1.57 | Today$1.58 | Change31% higherAfter inflation1% higher |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bananasper lb | 2020$0.582020, adjusted$0.75 | Today$0.66 | Change14% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Navel orangesper lb | 2020$1.242020, adjusted$1.62 | Today$1.72 | Change38% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Grapefruit per lb | 2020$1.212020, adjusted$1.57 | Today$1.62 | Change34% higherAfter inflation3% higher |
| Lemons per lb | 2020$1.932020, adjusted$2.52 | Today$2.13 | Change10% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Strawberries per 12 oz | 2020$2.492020, adjusted$3.25 | Today$2.84 | Change14% higherAfter inflation13% lower |
| Tomatoesper lb | 2020$1.962020, adjusted$2.56 | Today$1.99 | Change1% higherAfter inflation22% lower |
| Potatoesper lb | 2020$0.812020, adjusted$1.06 | Today$0.99 | Change22% higherAfter inflation6% lower |
| Iceberg lettuceper lb | 2020$1.292020, adjusted$1.69 | Today$1.64 | Change26% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Romaine lettuce per lb | 2020$2.092020, adjusted$2.73 | Today$3.31 | Change58% higherAfter inflation21% higher |
| Dried beans per lb | 2020$1.432020, adjusted$1.86 | Today$1.67 | Change17% higherAfter inflation10% lower |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White breadper lb | 2020$1.452020, adjusted$1.89 | Today$1.83 | Change26% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Flour per lb | 2020$0.452020, adjusted$0.59 | Today$0.55 | Change21% higherAfter inflation7% lower |
| Riceper lb | 2020$0.762020, adjusted$0.99 | Today$1.12 | Change47% higherAfter inflation13% higher |
| Spaghetti & macaroniper lb | 2020$1.262020, adjusted$1.64 | Today$1.38 | Change9% higherAfter inflation16% lower |
| Sugar per lb | 2020$0.632020, adjusted$0.82 | Today$1.02 | Change61% higherAfter inflation24% higher |
| Chocolate chip cookiesper lb | 2020$3.702020, adjusted$4.82 | Today$5.15 | Change39% higherAfter inflation7% higher |
| Potato chipsper 16 oz | 2020$4.922020, adjusted$6.41 | Today$6.67 | Change35% higherAfter inflation4% higher |
Drinks
| Item | 20202020 (adjusted) | Today | ChangeChange after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffeeper lb | 2020$4.432020, adjusted$5.77 | Today$9.33 | Change111% higherAfter inflation62% higher |
| Soda per 2 liters | 2020$1.652020, adjusted$2.15 | Today$2.27 | Change38% higherAfter inflation6% higher |
| Beerper 16 oz | 2020$1.482020, adjusted$1.93 | Today$1.88 | Change26% higherAfter inflation3% lower |
| Wineper liter | 2020$12.422020, adjusted$16.17 | Today$13.77 | Change11% higherAfter inflation15% 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 September 2026, the average price was $2.27. After adjusting for inflation, that's 16% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.48. After adjusting for inflation, that's 58% 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 September 2026, the average price was $4.11. After adjusting for inflation, that's 5% 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 September 2026, the average price was $1.83. 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 September 2026, the average price was $6.79. After adjusting for inflation, that's 27% 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 September 2026, the average price was $9.33. 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 $1.30 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 September 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
- 1914
- 1915
- 1916
- 1917
- 1918
- 1919
- 1920
- 1921
- 1922
- 1923
- 1924
- 1925
- 1926
- 1927
- 1928
- 1929
- 1930
- 1931
- 1932
- 1933
- 1934
- 1935
- 1936
- 1937
- 1938
- 1939
- 1940
- 1941
- 1942
- 1943
- 1944
- 1945
- 1946
- 1947
- 1948
- 1949
- 1950
- 1951
- 1952
- 1953
- 1954
- 1955
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
| Dozen eggs | $1.51 → $2.27 |
| Gallon of gas | $2.17 → $4.48 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.32 → $4.11 |
| Pound of bread | $1.45 → $1.83 |
| Pound of ground beef | $4.12 → $6.79 |
| Pound of coffee | $4.43 → $9.33 |
| All prices, on average | $100.00 → $130.19 |