According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for milk are 40.45% higher in 2024 versus 2004 (a $2.02 difference in value).
The current national average price is $3.98 for "Milk, fresh, low-fat, reduced fat, skim, per gal. (3.8 lit) in West, average price, not seasonally adjusted". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 2004 and 2024: Milk experienced an average inflation rate of 1.71% per year. In other words, milk costing $5 in the year 2004 would cost $7.02 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.57% during this same period, inflation for milk was lower.
In the year 2004: Pricing changed by 12.05%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for milk during the 2004-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2004 (2.68%), inflation for milk was much higher.
The average price for Milk is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Milk, fresh, low-fat, reduced fat, skim, per gal. (3.8 lit) in West, average price, not seasonally adjusted:
| Year | Average price (Milk) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.98 (latest available value) | $3.98 |
| 2023 | $3.93 | $3.92 |
| 2022 | $4.11 | $4.12 |
| 2021 | $3.21 | $3.66 |
| 2020 | $2.96 | $3.50 |
| 2019 | $2.58 | $3.22 |
| 2018 | $2.45 | $3.14 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Milk, over time, for $5 beginning in 2004. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $5.00 | 12.05% |
| 2005 | $5.08 | 1.61% |
| 2006 | $5.02 | -1.19% |
| 2007 | $5.61 | 11.68% |
| 2008 | $5.94 | 5.99% |
| 2009 | $5.16 | -13.15% |
| 2010 | $5.34 | 3.57% |
| 2011 | $5.83 | 9.16% |
| 2012 | $5.90 | 1.12% |
| 2013 | $5.97 | 1.17% |
| 2014 | $6.26 | 4.96% |
| 2015 | $5.90 | -5.81% |
| 2016 | $5.63 | -4.61% |
| 2017 | $5.59 | -0.71% |
| 2018 | $5.48 | -1.91% |
| 2019 | $5.63 | 2.73% |
| 2020 | $5.94 | 5.52% |
| 2021 | $6.15 | 3.44% |
| 2022 | $7.01 | 14.00% |
| 2023 | $7.05 | 0.59% |
| 2024 | $7.02 | -0.35%* |
* 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 Milk:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 101.308 | 107.592 | 107.754 | 112.700 | 110.608 | 111.538 | 124.977 | 126.985 | 125.469 | 140.119 | 148.507 | 128.978 | 133.586 | 145.819 | 147.449 | 149.176 | 156.573 | 147.479 | 140.674 | 139.677 | 137.005 | 140.743 | 148.507 | 153.618 | 175.120 | 176.145 | 175.532 |