According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 207.57% higher in 2025 versus 1986 (a $16,605.63 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2025: Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 2.92% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $8,000 in the year 1986 would cost $24,605.63 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.79% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1986: Pricing changed by 3.26%, which is above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1986-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), inflation for food and beverages was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $8,000 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $8,000.00 | 3.26% |
| 1987 | $8,325.55 | 4.07% |
| 1988 | $8,669.16 | 4.13% |
| 1989 | $9,160.59 | 5.67% |
| 1990 | $9,688.13 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $10,033.43 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $10,172.23 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $10,384.94 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $10,626.42 | 2.33% |
| 1995 | $10,919.25 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $11,274.14 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $11,569.79 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $11,815.78 | 2.13% |
| 1999 | $12,070.24 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $12,348.97 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $12,730.94 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $12,965.09 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $13,242.12 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $13,688.98 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $14,021.86 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $14,350.80 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $14,911.60 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $15,712.97 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $16,008.12 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $16,135.37 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $16,713.49 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $17,139.19 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $17,380.94 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $17,783.09 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $18,102.58 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $18,164.81 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $18,325.03 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $18,582.43 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $18,924.71 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $19,556.36 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $20,303.69 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $22,247.81 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $23,507.11 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $24,033.12 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $24,605.63 | 2.38%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 34.985 | 36.254 | 38.062 | 40.131 | 41.369 | 43.077 | 48.800 | 55.515 | 60.200 | 62.062 | 65.762 | 72.185 | 79.915 | 86.754 | 93.500 | 97.308 | 99.477 | 103.215 | 105.623 | 109.069 | 113.508 | 118.192 | 124.892 | 132.085 | 136.792 | 138.685 | 141.585 | 144.877 | 148.869 | 153.708 | 157.738 | 161.092 | 164.562 | 168.362 | 173.569 | 176.762 | 180.538 | 186.631 | 191.169 | 195.654 | 203.300 | 214.225 | 218.249 | 219.984 | 227.866 | 233.670 | 236.966 | 242.449 | 246.804 | 247.653 | 249.837 | 253.346 | 258.013 | 266.625 | 276.814 | 303.319 | 320.488 | 327.659 | 335.465 |