According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for uncooked ground beef are 276.61% higher in 2024 versus 1985 (a $16.24 difference in value).
The current national average price is $5.87 for "All uncooked ground beef, per lb. (453.6 gm)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1985 and 2024: Ground beef experienced an average inflation rate of 3.46% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, ground beef costing $5.87 in the year 1985 would cost $22.11 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.78% during this same period, inflation for ground beef was higher.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by -2.55%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for ground beef during the 1985-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for ground beef was much lower.
The average price for Ground beef 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 All uncooked ground beef, per lb. (453.6 gm):
| Year | Average price (Ground beef) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.87 (latest available value) | $5.87 |
| 2023 | $5.43 | $5.68 |
| 2022 | $5.31 | $5.72 |
| 2021 | $4.88 | $5.67 |
| 2020 | $4.63 | $5.64 |
| 2019 | $4.23 | $5.67 |
| 2018 | $4.12 | $5.55 |
| 2017 | $4.12 | $5.58 |
| 2016 | $4.25 | $5.73 |
| 2015 | $4.63 | $5.66 |
| 2014 | $4.30 | $5.63 |
| 2013 | $3.82 | $5.60 |
| 2012 | $3.72 | $5.53 |
| 2011 | $3.46 | $5.51 |
| 2010 | $3.18 | $5.64 |
| 2009 | $3.10 | $5.65 |
| 2008 | $3.04 | $5.59 |
| 2007 | $2.85 | $5.58 |
| 2006 | $2.72 | $5.57 |
| 2005 | $2.74 | $5.65 |
| 2004 | $2.68 | $5.82 |
| 2003 | $2.45 | $5.94 |
| 2002 | $2.29 | $5.99 |
| 2001 | $2.19 | $5.85 |
| 2000 | $2.01 | $5.80 |
| 1999 | $1.89 | $5.77 |
| 1998 | $1.84 | $5.72 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Ground beef, over time, for $5.87 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $5.87 | -2.55% |
| 1986 | $5.81 | -1.07% |
| 1987 | $6.13 | 5.57% |
| 1988 | $6.33 | 3.23% |
| 1989 | $6.64 | 4.99% |
| 1990 | $7.23 | 8.75% |
| 1991 | $7.34 | 1.52% |
| 1992 | $7.27 | -0.84% |
| 1993 | $7.45 | 2.41% |
| 1994 | $7.32 | -1.71% |
| 1995 | $7.11 | -2.96% |
| 1996 | $6.99 | -1.55% |
| 1997 | $7.12 | 1.80% |
| 1998 | $7.10 | -0.26% |
| 1999 | $7.25 | 2.01% |
| 2000 | $7.66 | 5.75% |
| 2001 | $8.29 | 8.22% |
| 2002 | $8.45 | 1.92% |
| 2003 | $9.13 | 8.00% |
| 2004 | $10.17 | 11.45% |
| 2005 | $10.72 | 5.34% |
| 2006 | $10.79 | 0.68% |
| 2007 | $11.28 | 4.51% |
| 2008 | $12.02 | 6.60% |
| 2009 | $12.14 | 1.04% |
| 2010 | $12.46 | 2.60% |
| 2011 | $13.87 | 11.32% |
| 2012 | $14.85 | 7.07% |
| 2013 | $15.10 | 1.68% |
| 2014 | $16.89 | 11.84% |
| 2015 | $18.07 | 7.01% |
| 2016 | $16.41 | -9.19% |
| 2017 | $16.32 | -0.57% |
| 2018 | $16.41 | 0.58% |
| 2019 | $16.48 | 0.40% |
| 2020 | $18.12 | 9.99% |
| 2021 | $18.99 | 4.81% |
| 2022 | $20.53 | 8.07% |
| 2023 | $21.11 | 2.84% |
| 2024 | $22.11 | 4.72%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 18.458 | 17.485 | 17.508 | 21.754 | 28.031 | 35.754 | 32.700 | 36.177 | 42.769 | 40.838 | 29.800 | 26.862 | 26.069 | 25.515 | 27.846 | 34.992 | 36.331 | 34.692 | 34.000 | 34.654 | 34.177 | 33.346 | 34.946 | 37.992 | 38.315 | 39.877 | 44.315 | 46.992 | 48.392 | 52.685 | 66.577 | 67.500 | 62.292 | 61.615 | 60.154 | 76.223 | 101.715 | 104.592 | 102.615 | 102.131 | 99.438 | 98.438 | 95.931 | 94.900 | 100.185 | 103.423 | 108.585 | 118.085 | 119.877 | 118.869 | 121.738 | 119.662 | 116.115 | 114.315 | 116.377 | 116.077 | 118.415 | 125.223 | 135.515 | 138.123 | 149.169 | 166.254 | 175.138 | 176.331 | 184.280 | 196.436 | 198.469 | 203.635 | 226.679 | 242.701 | 246.767 | 275.982 | 295.321 | 268.171 | 266.630 | 268.177 | 269.257 | 296.163 | 310.402 | 335.466 | 345.004 | 361.283 |