According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for rice, pasta, cornmeal are 186.42% higher in 2025 versus 1981 (a $1.38 difference in value).
The current national average price is $0.74 for "Spaghetti (cost per pound/453.6 grams)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1981 and 2025: Rice, pasta, cornmeal experienced an average inflation rate of 2.42% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, rice, pasta, cornmeal costing $0.74 in the year 1981 would cost $2.12 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.89% during this same period, inflation for rice, pasta, cornmeal was lower.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 11.42%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for rice, pasta, cornmeal during the 1981-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for rice, pasta, cornmeal was higher.
The average price for Rice, pasta, cornmeal 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 Spaghetti (cost per pound/453.6 grams):
| Year | Average price (Rice, pasta, cornmeal) | Inflation adjusted price (2025 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $0.74 | $0.74 |
| 1980 | $0.68 | $0.76 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Rice, pasta, cornmeal, over time, for $0.74 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $0.74 | 11.42% |
| 1982 | $0.74 | -0.58% |
| 1983 | $0.72 | -2.14% |
| 1984 | $0.74 | 2.28% |
| 1985 | $0.75 | 1.28% |
| 1986 | $0.75 | 0.16% |
| 1987 | $0.74 | -0.53% |
| 1988 | $0.84 | 12.46% |
| 1989 | $0.88 | 4.90% |
| 1990 | $0.89 | 1.67% |
| 1991 | $0.92 | 3.74% |
| 1992 | $0.94 | 1.38% |
| 1993 | $0.95 | 1.12% |
| 1994 | $1.02 | 7.66% |
| 1995 | $1.02 | 0.37% |
| 1996 | $1.05 | 2.85% |
| 1997 | $1.09 | 3.17% |
| 1998 | $1.10 | 1.20% |
| 1999 | $1.11 | 0.89% |
| 2000 | $1.10 | -0.76% |
| 2001 | $1.13 | 2.60% |
| 2002 | $1.14 | 0.77% |
| 2003 | $1.17 | 2.89% |
| 2004 | $1.20 | 2.58% |
| 2005 | $1.21 | 0.48% |
| 2006 | $1.25 | 3.69% |
| 2007 | $1.33 | 5.87% |
| 2008 | $1.60 | 20.58% |
| 2009 | $1.68 | 5.09% |
| 2010 | $1.64 | -2.39% |
| 2011 | $1.71 | 4.31% |
| 2012 | $1.75 | 2.26% |
| 2013 | $1.75 | 0.02% |
| 2014 | $1.74 | -0.54% |
| 2015 | $1.77 | 1.48% |
| 2016 | $1.75 | -1.05% |
| 2017 | $1.71 | -2.03% |
| 2018 | $1.73 | 0.84% |
| 2019 | $1.74 | 0.76% |
| 2020 | $1.78 | 2.49% |
| 2021 | $1.79 | 0.64% |
| 2022 | $2.02 | 12.81% |
| 2023 | $2.15 | 6.21% |
| 2024 | $2.13 | -0.97% |
| 2025 | $2.12 | -0.43%* |
* 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 Rice, pasta, cornmeal:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 67.500 | 74.131 | 78.046 | 90.892 | 101.269 | 100.685 | 98.531 | 100.777 | 102.069 | 102.231 | 101.685 | 114.354 | 119.962 | 121.969 | 126.531 | 128.277 | 129.715 | 139.654 | 140.177 | 144.177 | 148.754 | 150.538 | 151.877 | 150.723 | 154.638 | 155.831 | 160.338 | 164.477 | 165.262 | 171.354 | 181.421 | 218.763 | 229.900 | 224.406 | 234.088 | 239.384 | 239.427 | 238.133 | 241.647 | 239.110 | 234.257 | 236.233 | 238.024 | 243.947 | 245.514 | 276.958 | 294.157 | 291.312 | 290.056 |