According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 834.56% higher in 2026 versus 1968 (a $3,505.16 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 $420 in the year 1968 would cost $3,925.16 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 $420 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 | $420.00 | 3.64% |
| 1969 | $440.85 | 4.96% |
| 1970 | $464.89 | 5.45% |
| 1971 | $479.17 | 3.07% |
| 1972 | $498.96 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $565.28 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $643.08 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $697.33 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $718.86 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $761.71 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $836.14 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $925.72 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $1,004.97 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $1,083.06 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $1,127.18 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $1,152.27 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $1,195.61 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $1,223.51 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $1,263.38 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $1,314.83 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $1,369.08 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $1,446.69 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $1,529.99 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $1,584.53 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $1,606.44 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $1,640.04 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $1,678.17 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $1,724.40 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $1,780.49 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $1,827.21 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $1,866.01 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $1,906.17 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $1,950.19 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $2,010.52 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $2,047.49 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $2,091.31 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $2,161.88 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $2,214.39 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $2,266.32 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $2,354.93 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $2,481.49 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $2,528.10 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $2,548.19 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $2,639.49 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $2,706.72 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $2,744.90 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $2,808.41 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $2,858.87 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $2,868.70 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $2,894.00 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $2,934.65 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $2,988.70 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $3,088.46 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $3,206.48 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $3,513.51 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $3,712.38 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $3,795.46 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $3,897.82 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $3,925.16 | 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 |