Ground beef prices are 632.81% higher in 2026 versus 1977 (a $44.68 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $7.06 in September 2026 for All uncooked ground beef, per lb. (453.6 gm). See observed price history.
Between 1977 and 2026, Ground beef experienced an average inflation rate of 4.15% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, ground beef costing $7.06 in the year 1977 would cost $51.74 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.53% during this same period, inflation for ground beef was higher.
In the year 1977: Pricing changed by -2.38%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for ground beef during the 1977-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1977 (6.50%), inflation for ground beef was much lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of ground beef rose 284%, from $1.84 per pound in 1998 to $7.06 in September 2026. Overall prices rose 107% over the same period, so ground beef rose faster 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 ground beef 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 all uncooked ground 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $7.02 | $7.02 |
| 2025 | $6.37 | $6.66 |
| 2024 | $5.71 | $6.14 |
| 2023 | $5.43 | $6.00 |
| 2022 | $5.31 | $6.12 |
| 2021 | $4.88 | $6.06 |
| 2020 | $4.63 | $6.02 |
| 2019 | $4.23 | $5.57 |
| 2018 | $4.12 | $5.52 |
| 2017 | $4.12 | $5.66 |
| 2016 | $4.25 | $5.97 |
| 2015 | $4.63 | $6.58 |
| 2014 | $4.30 | $6.12 |
| 2013 | $3.82 | $5.53 |
| 2012 | $3.72 | $5.45 |
| 2011 | $3.46 | $5.18 |
| 2010 | $3.18 | $4.91 |
| 2009 | $3.10 | $4.87 |
| 2008 | $3.04 | $4.76 |
| 2007 | $2.85 | $4.62 |
| 2006 | $2.72 | $4.54 |
| 2005 | $2.74 | $4.72 |
| 2004 | $2.68 | $4.78 |
| 2003 | $2.45 | $4.49 |
| 2002 | $2.29 | $4.29 |
| 2001 | $2.19 | $4.17 |
| 2000 | $2.01 | $3.93 |
| 1999 | $1.89 | $3.82 |
| 1998 | $1.84 | $3.80 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through September. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Ground beef, over time, for $7.06 beginning in 1977. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $7.06 | -2.38% |
| 1978 | $8.95 | 26.72% |
| 1979 | $11.94 | 33.44% |
| 1980 | $12.28 | 2.83% |
| 1981 | $12.04 | -1.89% |
| 1982 | $11.99 | -0.47% |
| 1983 | $11.67 | -2.64% |
| 1984 | $11.55 | -1.01% |
| 1985 | $11.26 | -2.55% |
| 1986 | $11.14 | -1.08% |
| 1987 | $11.76 | 5.57% |
| 1988 | $12.14 | 3.24% |
| 1989 | $12.74 | 4.99% |
| 1990 | $13.86 | 8.75% |
| 1991 | $14.07 | 1.52% |
| 1992 | $13.95 | -0.84% |
| 1993 | $14.29 | 2.42% |
| 1994 | $14.04 | -1.71% |
| 1995 | $13.63 | -2.96% |
| 1996 | $13.42 | -1.55% |
| 1997 | $13.66 | 1.80% |
| 1998 | $13.62 | -0.26% |
| 1999 | $13.90 | 2.02% |
| 2000 | $14.70 | 5.75% |
| 2001 | $15.91 | 8.22% |
| 2002 | $16.21 | 1.92% |
| 2003 | $17.51 | 7.99% |
| 2004 | $19.51 | 11.45% |
| 2005 | $20.56 | 5.35% |
| 2006 | $20.70 | 0.68% |
| 2007 | $21.63 | 4.51% |
| 2008 | $23.06 | 6.60% |
| 2009 | $23.29 | 1.04% |
| 2010 | $23.90 | 2.60% |
| 2011 | $26.61 | 11.32% |
| 2012 | $28.49 | 7.07% |
| 2013 | $28.96 | 1.68% |
| 2014 | $32.39 | 11.84% |
| 2015 | $34.66 | 7.01% |
| 2016 | $31.48 | -9.19% |
| 2017 | $31.30 | -0.57% |
| 2018 | $31.48 | 0.58% |
| 2019 | $31.60 | 0.40% |
| 2020 | $34.76 | 9.99% |
| 2021 | $36.43 | 4.81% |
| 2022 | $39.37 | 8.07% |
| 2023 | $40.49 | 2.84% |
| 2024 | $42.50 | 4.95% |
| 2025 | $47.30 | 11.30% |
| 2026 | $51.74 | 9.38%* |
* 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 Uncooked ground beef:
| Year | 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 18.464 | 17.483 | 17.508 | 21.750 | 28.033 | 35.750 | 32.700 | 36.175 | 42.767 | 40.842 | 29.800 | 26.867 | 26.067 | 25.517 | 27.850 | 34.992 | 36.333 | 34.692 | 34.000 | 34.650 | 34.175 | 33.342 | 34.942 | 37.992 | 38.317 | 39.875 | 44.317 | 46.992 | 48.392 | 52.683 | 66.575 | 67.500 | 62.292 | 61.617 | 60.150 | 76.225 | 101.717 | 104.592 | 102.617 | 102.133 | 99.442 | 98.442 | 95.933 | 94.900 | 100.183 | 103.425 | 108.583 | 118.083 | 119.875 | 118.867 | 121.742 | 119.658 | 116.117 | 114.317 | 116.375 | 116.075 | 118.417 | 125.225 | 135.517 | 138.125 | 149.167 | 166.250 | 175.142 | 176.333 | 184.280 | 196.436 | 198.469 | 203.635 | 226.679 | 242.701 | 246.767 | 275.982 | 295.320 | 268.171 | 266.630 | 268.177 | 269.257 | 296.163 | 310.401 | 335.466 | 345.004 | 362.079 | 403.002 | 440.785 |