Hot dog prices were 305.40% higher in 2021 versus 1975 (a $15.27 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $5.22 in April 2022 for Frankfurters, all meat or all beef, per lb. (453.6 gm). See observed price history.
Between 1975 and 2021, Hot dogs experienced an average inflation rate of 3.09% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, hot dogs costing $5 in the year 1975 would cost $20.27 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.58% during this same period, inflation for hot dogs was lower.
In the year 1975: Pricing changed by 3.49%, which is above the average yearly change for hot dogs during the 1975-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1975 (9.14%), inflation for hot dogs was much lower.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of hot dogs rose 203%, from $1.72 per pound in 1980 to $5.22 in April 2022, the last price it reported. Overall prices rose 307% over the same period, so hot dogs rose more slowly than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for hot dogs is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of frankfurters, all meat or all beef, per lb. (453.6 gm) each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per pound) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 (partial) | $5.09 | $5.82 |
| 2021 | $4.01 | $4.95 |
| 2020 | $3.54 | $4.58 |
| 2019 | $3.10 | $4.06 |
| 2018 | $2.92 | $3.89 |
| 2017 | $2.85 | $3.90 |
| 2016 | $3.24 | $4.52 |
| 2015 | $3.57 | $5.05 |
| 2014 | No data | — |
| 2013 | No data | — |
| 2012 | No data | — |
| 2011 | No data | — |
| 2010 | No data | — |
| 2009 | No data | — |
| 2008 | No data | — |
| 2007 | No data | — |
| 2006 | No data | — |
| 2005 | No data | — |
| 2004 | No data | — |
| 2003 | No data | — |
| 2002 | No data | — |
| 2001 | No data | — |
| 2000 | No data | — |
| 1999 | No data | — |
| 1998 | No data | — |
| 1997 | $2.27 | $4.73 |
| 1996 | $2.08 | $4.44 |
| 1995 | $2.03 | $4.45 |
| 1994 | $2.11 | $4.78 |
| 1993 | $2.11 | $4.88 |
| 1992 | $2.24 | $5.35 |
| 1991 | $2.35 | $5.79 |
| 1990 | $2.29 | $5.87 |
| 1989 | $2.06 | $5.58 |
| 1988 | $2.02 | $5.73 |
| 1987 | $1.99 | $5.86 |
| 1986 | $1.93 | $5.90 |
| 1985 | $1.81 | $5.65 |
| 1984 | $1.80 | $5.80 |
| 1983 | $1.81 | $6.08 |
| 1982 | $1.82 | $6.31 |
| 1981 | $1.77 | $6.51 |
| 1980 | $1.72 | $6.99 |
Yearly averages; 2022 is through April. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Hot dogs, over time, for $5 beginning in 1975. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | $5.00 | 3.49% |
| 1976 | $5.04 | 0.80% |
| 1977 | $4.92 | -2.40% |
| 1978 | $6.10 | 24.00% |
| 1979 | $7.17 | 17.60% |
| 1980 | $7.43 | 3.53% |
| 1981 | $7.75 | 4.41% |
| 1982 | $8.08 | 4.16% |
| 1983 | $8.01 | -0.86% |
| 1984 | $8.01 | 0.03% |
| 1985 | $8.02 | 0.16% |
| 1986 | $8.19 | 2.16% |
| 1987 | $8.79 | 7.26% |
| 1988 | $9.05 | 2.97% |
| 1989 | $9.32 | 2.97% |
| 1990 | $10.38 | 11.35% |
| 1991 | $10.67 | 2.81% |
| 1992 | $10.54 | -1.18% |
| 1993 | $10.67 | 1.22% |
| 1994 | $11.06 | 3.65% |
| 1995 | $11.13 | 0.67% |
| 1996 | $11.41 | 2.49% |
| 1997 | $11.67 | 2.22% |
| 1998 | $11.61 | -0.48% |
| 1999 | $11.68 | 0.62% |
| 2000 | $11.93 | 2.15% |
| 2001 | $12.47 | 4.54% |
| 2002 | $12.62 | 1.17% |
| 2003 | $13.35 | 5.76% |
| 2004 | $13.53 | 1.34% |
| 2005 | $13.58 | 0.41% |
| 2006 | $13.78 | 1.44% |
| 2007 | $14.40 | 4.52% |
| 2008 | $14.88 | 3.35% |
| 2009 | $15.16 | 1.87% |
| 2010 | $15.15 | -0.07% |
| 2011 | $16.17 | 6.69% |
| 2012 | $16.61 | 2.74% |
| 2013 | $16.59 | -0.11% |
| 2014 | $17.33 | 4.44% |
| 2015 | $18.50 | 6.75% |
| 2016 | $18.10 | -2.16% |
| 2017 | $18.23 | 0.74% |
| 2018 | $18.42 | 1.04% |
| 2019 | $18.68 | 1.41% |
| 2020 | $20.12 | 7.73% |
| 2021 | $20.27 | 0.73% |
| 2022 | $22.49 | 10.97% |
| 2023 | $23.29 | 3.52% |
| 2024 | $24.47 | 5.06% |
| 2025 | $24.58 | 0.46% |
| 2026 | $25.47 | 3.63%* |
* 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 Frankfurters:
| Year | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 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 | 33.558 | 33.050 | 30.083 | 28.800 | 27.600 | 27.042 | 29.500 | 33.675 | 33.333 | 32.508 | 33.025 | 33.158 | 33.108 | 32.842 | 34.958 | 38.208 | 37.617 | 37.700 | 40.967 | 43.708 | 43.250 | 46.892 | 61.017 | 60.167 | 62.267 | 62.767 | 61.258 | 75.958 | 89.325 | 92.475 | 96.550 | 100.567 | 99.700 | 99.725 | 99.883 | 102.042 | 109.450 | 112.700 | 116.050 | 129.225 | 132.858 | 131.292 | 132.892 | 137.742 | 138.658 | 142.117 | 145.275 | 144.583 | 145.475 | 148.600 | 155.350 | 157.175 | 166.233 | 168.467 | 169.150 | 171.592 | 179.344 | 185.350 | 188.824 | 188.694 | 201.309 | 206.830 | 206.612 | 215.781 | 230.354 | 225.371 | 227.044 | 229.406 | 232.631 | 250.606 | 252.430 | 280.130 | 289.987 | 304.673 | 306.085 | 317.210 |