According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 686.67% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $508,133.91 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 $74,000 in the year 1972 would cost $582,133.91 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 $74,000 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 | $74,000.00 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $83,835.17 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $95,373.96 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $103,419.62 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $106,612.11 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $112,968.47 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $124,006.19 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $137,291.55 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $149,045.08 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $160,626.81 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $167,169.28 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $170,891.47 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $177,319.40 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $181,456.76 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $187,369.32 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $194,999.81 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $203,045.46 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $214,555.62 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $226,910.43 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $234,999.03 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $238,248.79 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $243,230.80 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $248,885.66 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $255,743.08 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $264,060.75 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $270,989.75 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $276,744.82 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $282,700.33 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $289,228.48 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $298,176.05 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $303,659.12 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $310,158.64 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $320,623.72 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $328,411.69 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $336,113.76 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $349,255.23 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $368,024.81 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $374,937.77 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $377,917.96 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $391,458.57 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $401,429.31 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $407,091.48 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $416,510.48 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $423,993.52 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $425,450.90 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $429,203.72 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $435,232.38 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $443,249.26 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $458,043.54 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $475,547.28 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $521,081.83 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $550,576.89 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $562,896.91 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $578,078.49 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $582,133.91 | 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 |