According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for full service meals and snacks are 107.68% higher in 2026 versus 2003 (a $21.54 difference in value).
Between 2003 and 2026:Full service meals and snacks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.23% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, full service meals and snacks costing $20 in the year 2003 would cost $41.54 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for full service meals and snacks was higher.
In the year 2003: Pricing changed by 2.04%, which is below the average yearly change for full service meals and snacks during the 2003-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2003 (2.27%), inflation for full service meals and snacks was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Full service meals and snacks, over time, for $20 beginning in 2003. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | $20.00 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | $20.54 | 2.71% |
| 2005 | $21.15 | 2.96% |
| 2006 | $21.82 | 3.15% |
| 2007 | $22.59 | 3.56% |
| 2008 | $23.50 | 4.01% |
| 2009 | $24.16 | 2.81% |
| 2010 | $24.48 | 1.32% |
| 2011 | $25.05 | 2.34% |
| 2012 | $25.71 | 2.61% |
| 2013 | $26.28 | 2.24% |
| 2014 | $26.94 | 2.51% |
| 2015 | $27.66 | 2.66% |
| 2016 | $28.31 | 2.34% |
| 2017 | $28.99 | 2.41% |
| 2018 | $29.67 | 2.35% |
| 2019 | $30.61 | 3.17% |
| 2020 | $31.50 | 2.89% |
| 2021 | $32.91 | 4.51% |
| 2022 | $35.72 | 8.51% |
| 2023 | $37.89 | 6.09% |
| 2024 | $39.29 | 3.71% |
| 2025 | $40.84 | 3.94% |
| 2026 | $41.54 | 1.70%* |
* 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 Full service meals and snacks:
| Year | 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 | 100.000 | 101.517 | 104.275 | 106.842 | 110.258 | 112.958 | 115.258 | 118.383 | 121.883 | 125.725 | 130.203 | 135.422 | 139.223 | 141.064 | 144.370 | 148.142 | 151.465 | 155.269 | 159.394 | 163.125 | 167.059 | 170.981 | 176.399 | 181.503 | 189.681 | 205.825 | 218.353 | 226.453 | 235.377 | 239.371 |