According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food and beverages are 159.50% higher in 2026 versus 1990 (a $31,897.38 difference in value).
Between 1990 and 2026:Food and beverages experienced an average inflation rate of 2.68% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food and beverages costing $19,998 in the year 1990 would cost $51,895.38 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.57% during this same period, inflation for food and beverages was higher.
In the year 1990: Pricing changed by 5.76%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for food and beverages during the 1990-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1990 (5.40%), inflation for food and beverages was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food and beverages, over time, for $19,998 beginning in 1990. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | $19,998.00 | 5.76% |
| 1991 | $20,710.86 | 3.56% |
| 1992 | $20,997.27 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $21,436.34 | 2.09% |
| 1994 | $21,934.71 | 2.32% |
| 1995 | $22,539.07 | 2.76% |
| 1996 | $23,272.12 | 3.25% |
| 1997 | $23,882.78 | 2.62% |
| 1998 | $24,389.99 | 2.12% |
| 1999 | $24,914.86 | 2.15% |
| 2000 | $25,490.20 | 2.31% |
| 2001 | $26,278.76 | 3.09% |
| 2002 | $26,761.99 | 1.84% |
| 2003 | $27,334.81 | 2.14% |
| 2004 | $28,257.11 | 3.37% |
| 2005 | $28,943.48 | 2.43% |
| 2006 | $29,622.27 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $30,780.45 | 3.91% |
| 2008 | $32,434.65 | 5.37% |
| 2009 | $33,043.90 | 1.88% |
| 2010 | $33,306.55 | 0.79% |
| 2011 | $34,499.91 | 3.58% |
| 2012 | $35,378.64 | 2.55% |
| 2013 | $35,877.66 | 1.41% |
| 2014 | $36,707.77 | 2.31% |
| 2015 | $37,367.27 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | $37,495.71 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | $37,826.45 | 0.88% |
| 2018 | $38,357.77 | 1.40% |
| 2019 | $39,064.31 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | $40,368.15 | 3.34% |
| 2021 | $41,910.79 | 3.82% |
| 2022 | $45,923.82 | 9.58% |
| 2023 | $48,523.27 | 5.66% |
| 2024 | $49,609.06 | 2.24% |
| 2025 | $51,001.08 | 2.81% |
| 2026 | $51,895.38 | 1.75%* |
* 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 | 336.853 | 342.760 |