According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 686.67% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $24,720.03 difference in value).
Between 1972 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.89% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $3,600 in the year 1972 would cost $28,320.03 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.87% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1972: Pricing changed by 4.13%, which is above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1972-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1972 (3.27%), inflation for food and beverages was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $3,600 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | $3,600.00 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $4,078.47 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $4,639.81 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $5,031.22 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $5,186.54 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $5,495.76 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $6,032.73 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $6,679.05 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $7,250.84 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $7,814.28 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $8,132.56 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $8,313.64 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $8,626.35 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $8,827.63 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $9,115.26 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $9,486.48 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $9,877.89 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $10,437.84 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $11,038.89 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $11,432.39 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $11,590.48 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $11,832.85 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $12,107.95 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $12,441.56 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $12,846.20 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $13,183.28 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $13,463.26 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $13,752.99 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $14,070.57 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $14,505.86 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $14,772.61 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $15,088.80 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $15,597.91 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $15,976.78 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $16,351.48 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $16,990.80 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $17,903.91 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $18,240.22 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $18,385.20 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $19,043.93 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $19,528.99 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $19,804.45 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $20,262.67 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $20,626.71 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $20,697.61 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $20,880.18 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $21,173.47 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $21,563.48 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $22,283.20 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $23,134.73 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $25,349.93 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $26,784.82 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $27,384.17 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $28,122.74 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $28,320.03 | 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 |