According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 719.15% higher in 2026 versus 1971 (a $40,991.82 difference in value).
Between 1971 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.90% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $5,700 in the year 1971 would cost $46,691.82 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.85% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1971: Pricing changed by 3.07%, which is below the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1971-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1971 (4.29%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $5,700 beginning in 1971. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | $5,700.00 | 3.07% |
| 1972 | $5,935.39 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $6,724.25 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $7,649.76 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $8,295.08 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $8,551.15 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $9,060.98 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $9,946.29 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $11,011.89 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $11,954.61 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $12,883.56 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $13,408.32 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $13,706.87 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $14,222.44 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $14,554.29 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $15,028.53 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $15,640.55 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $16,285.88 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $17,209.09 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $18,200.04 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $18,848.81 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $19,109.47 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $19,509.07 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $19,962.63 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $20,512.65 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $21,179.79 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $21,735.56 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $22,197.16 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $22,674.84 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $23,198.45 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $23,916.12 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $24,355.90 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $24,877.22 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $25,716.60 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $26,341.26 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $26,959.02 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $28,013.08 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $29,518.55 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $30,073.02 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $30,312.06 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $31,398.12 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $32,197.86 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $32,652.01 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $33,407.49 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $34,007.69 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $34,124.58 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $34,425.59 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $34,909.14 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $35,552.15 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $36,738.77 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $38,142.71 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $41,794.95 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $44,160.69 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $45,148.86 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $46,366.54 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $46,691.82 | 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 |