According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 415.31% higher in 2026 versus 1977 (a $124.59 difference in value).
Between 1977 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 3.40% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $30 in the year 1977 would cost $154.59 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.48% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was lower.
In the year 1977: Pricing changed by 5.96%, which is above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1977-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1977 (6.50%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $30 beginning in 1977. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $30.00 | 5.96% |
| 1978 | $32.93 | 9.77% |
| 1979 | $36.46 | 10.71% |
| 1980 | $39.58 | 8.56% |
| 1981 | $42.66 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $44.39 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $45.38 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $47.09 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $48.19 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $49.76 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $51.78 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $53.92 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $56.98 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $60.26 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $62.41 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $63.27 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $64.59 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $66.09 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $67.92 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $70.12 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $71.96 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $73.49 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $75.07 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $76.81 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $79.18 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $80.64 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $82.37 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $85.15 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $87.21 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $89.26 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $92.75 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $97.73 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $99.57 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $100.36 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $103.96 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $106.60 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $108.11 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $110.61 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $112.60 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $112.98 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $113.98 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $115.58 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $117.71 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $121.64 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $126.29 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $138.38 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $146.21 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $149.48 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $153.52 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $154.59 | 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 |