According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 834.56% higher in 2026 versus 1968 (a $1,335,300.94 difference in value).
Between 1968 and 2026:Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.93% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $160,000 in the year 1968 would cost $1,495,300.94 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.92% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1968: Pricing changed by 3.64%, which is below the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1968-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1968 (4.27%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $160,000 beginning in 1968. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | $160,000.00 | 3.64% |
| 1969 | $167,943.00 | 4.96% |
| 1970 | $177,099.52 | 5.45% |
| 1971 | $182,541.94 | 3.07% |
| 1972 | $190,080.44 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $215,343.60 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $244,982.76 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $265,649.28 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $273,849.69 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $290,176.97 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $318,529.07 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $352,654.56 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $382,845.32 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $412,594.81 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $429,400.14 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $438,961.16 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $455,472.31 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $466,099.75 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $481,287.06 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $500,887.15 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $521,553.67 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $551,119.28 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $582,854.52 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $603,631.35 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $611,978.86 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $624,775.91 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $639,301.31 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $656,915.65 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $678,280.85 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $696,079.06 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $710,861.87 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $726,159.50 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $742,928.06 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $765,911.28 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $779,995.40 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $796,690.42 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $823,571.59 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $843,576.19 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $863,360.15 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $897,116.07 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $945,328.61 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $963,085.64 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $970,740.70 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $1,005,521.86 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $1,031,133.26 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $1,045,677.41 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $1,069,871.57 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $1,089,092.90 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $1,092,836.41 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $1,102,476.12 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $1,117,961.66 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $1,138,554.26 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $1,176,555.64 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $1,221,516.71 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $1,338,479.25 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $1,414,241.88 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $1,445,887.75 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $1,484,883.98 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $1,495,300.94 | 0.70%* |
* 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 Food and beverages:
| Year | 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 | 2026 |
| CPI | 34.983 | 36.258 | 38.058 | 40.133 | 41.367 | 43.075 | 48.800 | 55.517 | 60.200 | 62.058 | 65.758 | 72.183 | 79.917 | 86.758 | 93.500 | 97.308 | 99.475 | 103.217 | 105.625 | 109.067 | 113.508 | 118.192 | 124.892 | 132.083 | 136.792 | 138.683 | 141.583 | 144.875 | 148.867 | 153.708 | 157.742 | 161.092 | 164.558 | 168.358 | 173.567 | 176.758 | 180.542 | 186.633 | 191.167 | 195.650 | 203.300 | 214.225 | 218.249 | 219.984 | 227.866 | 233.670 | 236.966 | 242.448 | 246.804 | 247.653 | 249.837 | 253.346 | 258.013 | 266.625 | 276.814 | 303.319 | 320.488 | 327.659 | 336.496 | 338.857 |