According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for cheese and related products are 220.72% higher in 2026 versus 1979 (a $44.14 difference in value).
Between 1979 and 2026:Cheese and related products experienced an average inflation rate of 2.51% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, cheese and related products costing $20 in the year 1979 would cost $64.14 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.24% during this same period, inflation for cheese and related products was lower.
In the year 1979: Pricing changed by 12.33%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for cheese and related products during the 1979-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1979 (11.25%), inflation for cheese and related products was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cheese and related products, over time, for $20 beginning in 1979. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | $20.00 | 12.33% |
| 1980 | $22.01 | 10.04% |
| 1981 | $23.84 | 8.32% |
| 1982 | $24.44 | 2.54% |
| 1983 | $24.85 | 1.65% |
| 1984 | $25.13 | 1.15% |
| 1985 | $25.61 | 1.88% |
| 1986 | $25.69 | 0.33% |
| 1987 | $26.28 | 2.30% |
| 1988 | $27.10 | 3.11% |
| 1989 | $29.16 | 7.61% |
| 1990 | $32.54 | 11.58% |
| 1991 | $32.95 | 1.25% |
| 1992 | $33.61 | 2.00% |
| 1993 | $33.57 | -0.10% |
| 1994 | $33.85 | 0.83% |
| 1995 | $34.20 | 1.04% |
| 1996 | $35.89 | 4.93% |
| 1997 | $36.64 | 2.11% |
| 1998 | $37.77 | 3.09% |
| 1999 | $40.35 | 6.81% |
| 2000 | $40.39 | 0.10% |
| 2001 | $41.57 | 2.93% |
| 2002 | $42.18 | 1.45% |
| 2003 | $42.02 | -0.37% |
| 2004 | $44.85 | 6.73% |
| 2005 | $45.47 | 1.39% |
| 2006 | $44.85 | -1.36% |
| 2007 | $47.50 | 5.90% |
| 2008 | $53.23 | 12.05% |
| 2009 | $50.48 | -5.17% |
| 2010 | $50.82 | 0.68% |
| 2011 | $53.96 | 6.19% |
| 2012 | $55.17 | 2.24% |
| 2013 | $55.05 | -0.23% |
| 2014 | $58.07 | 5.48% |
| 2015 | $57.96 | -0.18% |
| 2016 | $56.55 | -2.43% |
| 2017 | $56.69 | 0.23% |
| 2018 | $56.87 | 0.33% |
| 2019 | $56.73 | -0.25% |
| 2020 | $59.71 | 5.26% |
| 2021 | $59.83 | 0.19% |
| 2022 | $65.15 | 8.91% |
| 2023 | $66.49 | 2.05% |
| 2024 | $65.38 | -1.67% |
| 2025 | $66.11 | 1.12% |
| 2026 | $64.14 | -2.98%* |
* 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 Cheese and related products:
| Year | 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 | 2026 |
| CPI | 68.500 | 71.767 | 80.617 | 88.708 | 96.092 | 98.533 | 100.158 | 101.308 | 103.217 | 103.558 | 105.942 | 109.242 | 117.558 | 131.175 | 132.808 | 135.467 | 135.325 | 136.442 | 137.858 | 144.650 | 147.700 | 152.258 | 162.633 | 162.800 | 167.575 | 170.008 | 169.375 | 180.775 | 183.292 | 180.800 | 191.472 | 214.546 | 203.457 | 204.845 | 217.517 | 222.400 | 221.887 | 234.051 | 233.634 | 227.960 | 228.493 | 229.246 | 228.663 | 240.683 | 241.148 | 262.625 | 267.998 | 263.536 | 266.485 | 258.555 |