According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for potatoes are 78.84% higher in 2024 versus 2002 (a $0.14 difference in value).
The current national average price is $0.18 for "Potatoes, white (cost per pound/453.6 grams)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 2002 and 2024: Potatoes experienced an average inflation rate of 2.68% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, potatoes costing $0.18 in the year 2002 would cost $0.32 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.55% during this same period, inflation for potatoes was higher.
In the year 2002: Pricing changed by 17.86%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for potatoes during the 2002-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2002 (1.59%), inflation for potatoes was much higher.
The average price for Potatoes 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 Potatoes, white (cost per pound/453.6 grams):
| Year | Average price (Potatoes) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $0.18 | $0.18 |
| 1985 | $0.21 | $0.20 |
| 1984 | $0.24 | $0.20 |
| 1983 | $0.21 | $0.22 |
| 1982 | $0.21 | $0.22 |
| 1981 | $0.25 | $0.22 |
| 1980 | $0.19 | $0.23 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Potatoes, over time, for $0.18 beginning in 2002. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | $0.18 | 17.86% |
| 2003 | $0.17 | -4.36% |
| 2004 | $0.17 | 1.32% |
| 2005 | $0.19 | 7.20% |
| 2006 | $0.21 | 10.26% |
| 2007 | $0.21 | 2.67% |
| 2008 | $0.25 | 15.76% |
| 2009 | $0.24 | -1.89% |
| 2010 | $0.23 | -5.19% |
| 2011 | $0.26 | 12.09% |
| 2012 | $0.24 | -5.33% |
| 2013 | $0.24 | 0.65% |
| 2014 | $0.25 | 2.33% |
| 2015 | $0.25 | -0.95% |
| 2016 | $0.25 | 1.87% |
| 2017 | $0.26 | 1.75% |
| 2018 | $0.26 | 0.84% |
| 2019 | $0.27 | 5.95% |
| 2020 | $0.29 | 4.66% |
| 2021 | $0.28 | -0.43% |
| 2022 | $0.31 | 10.16% |
| 2023 | $0.33 | 4.45% |
| 2024 | $0.32 | -1.74%* |
* 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 Potatoes:
| Year | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 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 |
| CPI | 9.215 | 8.869 | 8.754 | 12.831 | 17.415 | 17.708 | 18.831 | 18.054 | 19.408 | 21.546 | 20.992 | 17.623 | 19.323 | 28.915 | 21.131 | 20.485 | 22.138 | 26.392 | 22.269 | 24.431 | 24.608 | 28.008 | 24.738 | 24.931 | 25.723 | 31.615 | 39.115 | 31.285 | 31.292 | 32.100 | 34.423 | 38.008 | 36.700 | 39.592 | 58.800 | 71.800 | 57.685 | 62.608 | 63.800 | 66.269 | 63.592 | 80.969 | 109.508 | 92.708 | 91.300 | 115.992 | 101.546 | 96.138 | 116.038 | 119.131 | 153.500 | 162.592 | 144.554 | 141.492 | 154.577 | 174.285 | 174.654 | 180.569 | 174.192 | 185.154 | 193.100 | 196.338 | 202.331 | 238.477 | 228.077 | 231.077 | 247.708 | 273.131 | 280.432 | 324.624 | 318.491 | 301.971 | 338.469 | 320.445 | 322.525 | 330.050 | 326.901 | 333.003 | 338.832 | 341.681 | 362.013 | 378.868 | 377.246 | 415.564 | 434.053 | 426.485 |