According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 262.41% higher in 2026 versus 1981 (a $215,179.40 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2026: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 2.90% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $82,000 in the year 1981 would cost $297,179.40 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.86% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 7.77%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1981-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for food and beverages was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $82,000 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $82,000.00 | 7.77% |
| 1982 | $85,339.93 | 4.07% |
| 1983 | $87,240.11 | 2.23% |
| 1984 | $90,521.57 | 3.76% |
| 1985 | $92,633.69 | 2.33% |
| 1986 | $95,652.05 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $99,547.42 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $103,654.72 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $109,530.66 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $115,837.79 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $119,967.02 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $121,626.02 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $124,169.34 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $127,056.15 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $130,556.86 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $134,803.03 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $138,340.29 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $141,278.25 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $144,318.54 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $147,651.16 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $152,218.89 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $155,018.00 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $158,336.01 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $163,678.43 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $167,654.19 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $171,586.10 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $178,294.82 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $187,876.69 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $191,405.76 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $192,927.14 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $199,839.63 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $204,929.69 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $207,820.23 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $212,628.63 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $216,448.72 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $217,192.71 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $219,108.53 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $222,186.16 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $226,278.78 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $233,831.26 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $242,766.92 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $266,012.31 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $281,069.54 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $287,358.91 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $295,109.11 | 2.70% |
| 2026 | $297,179.40 | 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 |