According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for alcoholic beverages are 165.39% higher in 2023 versus 1985 (a $16.54 difference in value).
The current national average price is $1.74 for "Malt beverages, all types, all sizes, any origin, per 16 oz. (473.2 ml)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1985 and 2023: Alcohol experienced an average inflation rate of 2.60% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, alcohol costing $10 in the year 1985 would cost $26.54 in 2023 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.74% during this same period, inflation for alcohol was lower.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 3.32%, which is above the average yearly change for alcohol during the 1985-2023 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for alcohol was lower.
The average price for Alcohol is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Malt beverages, all types, all sizes, any origin, per 16 oz. (473.2 ml):
| Year | Average price (Alcohol) | Inflation adjusted price (2023 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.74 (latest available value) | $1.74 |
| 2022 | $1.66 | $1.71 |
| 2021 | $1.53 | $1.64 |
| 2020 | $1.48 | $1.63 |
| 2019 | $1.44 | $1.61 |
| 2018 | $1.41 | $1.60 |
| 2017 | $1.39 | $1.60 |
| 2016 | $1.35 | $1.58 |
| 2015 | $1.32 | $1.55 |
| 2014 | $1.28 | $1.53 |
| 2013 | $1.28 | $1.54 |
| 2012 | $1.25 | $1.53 |
| 2011 | $1.24 | $1.55 |
| 2010 | $1.23 | $1.56 |
| 2009 | $1.21 | $1.54 |
| 2008 | $1.16 | $1.53 |
| 2007 | $1.12 | $1.53 |
| 2006 | $1.11 | $1.56 |
| 2005 | $1.09 | $1.57 |
| 2004 | $1.07 | $1.57 |
| 2003 | $1.01 | $1.53 |
| 2002 | $0.99 | $1.53 |
| 2001 | $0.96 | $1.50 |
| 2000 | $0.92 | $1.48 |
| 1999 | $0.88 | $1.46 |
| 1998 | $0.86 | $1.47 |
| 1997 | $0.84 | $1.46 |
| 1996 | $0.84 | $1.49 |
| 1995 | $0.81 | $1.49 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Alcohol, over time, for $10 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $10.00 | 3.32% |
| 1986 | $10.45 | 4.46% |
| 1987 | $10.72 | 2.66% |
| 1988 | $11.14 | 3.92% |
| 1989 | $11.61 | 4.15% |
| 1990 | $12.15 | 4.68% |
| 1991 | $13.42 | 10.47% |
| 1992 | $13.84 | 3.14% |
| 1993 | $14.07 | 1.61% |
| 1994 | $14.24 | 1.24% |
| 1995 | $14.47 | 1.59% |
| 1996 | $14.90 | 3.00% |
| 1997 | $15.30 | 2.71% |
| 1998 | $15.58 | 1.79% |
| 1999 | $15.95 | 2.40% |
| 2000 | $16.42 | 2.91% |
| 2001 | $16.85 | 2.65% |
| 2002 | $17.26 | 2.41% |
| 2003 | $17.59 | 1.95% |
| 2004 | $18.06 | 2.65% |
| 2005 | $18.42 | 1.97% |
| 2006 | $18.87 | 2.45% |
| 2007 | $19.46 | 3.14% |
| 2008 | $20.16 | 3.60% |
| 2009 | $20.75 | 2.92% |
| 2010 | $20.99 | 1.15% |
| 2011 | $21.31 | 1.52% |
| 2012 | $21.69 | 1.82% |
| 2013 | $22.05 | 1.66% |
| 2014 | $22.31 | 1.14% |
| 2015 | $22.52 | 0.94% |
| 2016 | $22.80 | 1.25% |
| 2017 | $23.07 | 1.19% |
| 2018 | $23.42 | 1.51% |
| 2019 | $23.74 | 1.37% |
| 2020 | $24.18 | 1.86% |
| 2021 | $24.71 | 2.17% |
| 2022 | $25.75 | 4.24% |
| 2023 | $26.54 | 3.05%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Alcoholic beverages:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 39.400 | 39.720 | 40.540 | 40.440 | 41.020 | 42.080 | 42.000 | 42.460 | 43.100 | 43.240 | 43.400 | 43.860 | 44.200 | 44.700 | 45.440 | 46.377 | 48.023 | 49.700 | 52.062 | 54.177 | 55.423 | 56.800 | 61.131 | 65.877 | 68.069 | 69.969 | 74.077 | 79.900 | 86.369 | 92.508 | 96.662 | 100.377 | 102.962 | 106.385 | 111.131 | 114.085 | 118.554 | 123.477 | 129.254 | 142.785 | 147.262 | 149.631 | 151.492 | 153.900 | 158.515 | 162.815 | 165.731 | 169.708 | 174.654 | 179.285 | 183.600 | 187.177 | 192.131 | 195.923 | 200.715 | 207.026 | 214.484 | 220.751 | 223.291 | 226.685 | 230.800 | 234.623 | 237.305 | 239.530 | 242.526 | 245.419 | 249.134 | 252.542 | 257.246 | 262.829 | 273.967 | 282.332 |