According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 686.67% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $6,454,673.94 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 $940,000 in the year 1972 would cost $7,394,673.94 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 $940,000 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 | $940,000.00 | 4.13% |
| 1973 | $1,064,933.26 | 13.29% |
| 1974 | $1,211,507.06 | 13.76% |
| 1975 | $1,313,708.65 | 8.44% |
| 1976 | $1,354,261.95 | 3.09% |
| 1977 | $1,435,004.84 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $1,575,213.77 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $1,743,973.69 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $1,893,275.30 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $2,040,394.66 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $2,123,501.64 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $2,170,783.52 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $2,252,435.67 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $2,304,991.29 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $2,380,096.73 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $2,477,024.57 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $2,579,226.16 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $2,725,436.25 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $2,882,375.70 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $2,985,122.85 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $3,026,403.56 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $3,089,688.53 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $3,161,520.60 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $3,248,628.36 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $3,354,285.16 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $3,442,302.19 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $3,515,407.24 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $3,591,058.23 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $3,673,983.36 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $3,787,641.71 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $3,857,291.55 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $3,939,852.97 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $4,072,787.77 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $4,171,716.00 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $4,269,553.11 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $4,436,485.39 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $4,674,909.69 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $4,762,723.04 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $4,800,579.45 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $4,972,581.81 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $5,099,237.22 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $5,171,162.04 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $5,290,808.82 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $5,385,863.57 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $5,404,376.24 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $5,452,047.28 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $5,528,627.55 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $5,630,463.61 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $5,818,390.87 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $6,040,735.69 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $6,619,147.57 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $6,993,814.59 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $7,150,312.13 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $7,343,159.18 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $7,394,673.94 | 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 |