According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 790.36% higher in 2026 versus 1969 (a $2,133,977.84 difference in value).
Between 1969 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.91% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $270,000 in the year 1969 would cost $2,403,977.84 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.90% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1969: Pricing changed by 4.96%, which is above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1969-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1969 (5.46%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $270,000 beginning in 1969. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | $270,000.00 | 4.96% |
| 1970 | $284,720.82 | 5.45% |
| 1971 | $293,470.55 | 3.07% |
| 1972 | $305,590.10 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $346,205.39 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $393,855.92 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $427,081.23 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $440,264.94 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $466,514.12 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $512,095.47 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $566,958.62 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $615,495.95 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $663,323.84 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $690,341.58 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $705,712.72 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $732,257.50 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $749,343.11 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $773,759.58 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $805,270.42 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $838,495.73 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $886,028.03 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $937,048.39 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $970,451.06 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $983,871.25 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $1,004,444.93 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $1,027,797.24 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $1,056,115.61 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $1,090,464.20 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $1,119,078.17 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $1,142,844.32 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $1,167,438.14 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $1,194,396.76 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $1,231,346.62 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $1,253,989.49 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $1,280,829.87 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $1,324,046.42 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $1,356,207.58 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $1,388,014.01 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $1,442,283.01 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $1,519,793.76 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $1,548,341.52 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $1,560,648.48 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $1,616,565.73 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $1,657,740.88 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $1,681,123.34 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $1,720,020.01 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $1,750,921.92 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $1,756,940.31 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $1,772,437.97 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $1,797,333.90 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $1,830,440.38 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $1,891,534.75 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $1,963,818.13 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $2,151,857.43 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $2,273,660.13 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $2,324,536.83 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $2,387,230.61 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $2,403,977.84 | 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 |