What things cost in 1984 vs. today
In 1984, a dozen eggs cost $1.00, a gallon of gas cost $1.21, a pound of white bread cost $0.54, a pound of ground beef cost $1.29 and a pound of coffee cost $2.58. Overall, $1 in 1984 buys about as much as $3.22 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 31 of these everyday items in both 1984 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 13 of them cost more today than in 1984, and 18 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Ground beef: $1.29 → $6.92 per lb (67% above inflation)
- Heating oil: $1.12 → $5.15 per gallon (42% above inflation)
- Navel oranges: $0.42 → $1.71 per lb (25% above inflation)
- Grapefruit: $0.40 → $1.60 per lb (25% above inflation)
- Ground chuck: $1.72 → $6.77 per lb (22% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Chicken legs: $1.15 → $1.67 per lb (55% below inflation)
- Bananas: $0.36 → $0.65 per lb (44% below inflation)
- Spaghetti & macaroni: $0.73 → $1.37 per lb (42% below inflation)
- American cheese: $2.51 → $4.75 per lb (41% below inflation)
- Cheddar cheese: $3.07 → $5.98 per lb (39% below inflation)
1984 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 1984 price, what that price equals in today's dollars, and the actual average price in August 2026. Red items rose faster than inflation; green items got cheaper in real terms.
Gas & energy
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $1.21 | $3.91 | $4.20 | +7% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $1.37 | $4.40 | $5.13 | +17% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.08 | $0.26 | $0.20 | −26% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $0.65 | $2.09 | $1.71 | −18% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $1.12 | $3.61 | $5.15 | +42% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $1.29 | $4.15 | $6.92 | +67% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $1.72 | $5.54 | $6.77 | +22% |
| Round steak / lb | $2.91 | $9.37 | $9.69 | +3% |
| Round roast / lb | $2.58 | $8.30 | $8.96 | +8% |
| Bacon / lb | $1.86 | $5.99 | $6.61 | +10% |
| Whole chicken / lb | $0.81 | $2.61 | $2.01 | −23% |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.15 | $3.72 | $1.67 | −55% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $1.00 | $3.24 | $2.27 | −30% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $3.07 | $9.88 | $5.98 | −39% |
| American cheese / lb | $2.51 | $8.08 | $4.75 | −41% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $2.22 | $7.15 | $5.85 | −18% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.36 | $1.16 | $0.65 | −44% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $0.42 | $1.37 | $1.71 | +25% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $0.40 | $1.28 | $1.60 | +25% |
| Lemons / lb | $0.75 | $2.42 | $2.11 | −13% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $0.80 | $2.56 | $2.58 | Same |
| Tomatoes / lb | $0.81 | $2.60 | $1.98 | −24% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.51 | $1.65 | $1.47 | −11% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $0.54 | $1.75 | $1.82 | +4% |
| Flour / lb | $0.21 | $0.69 | $0.55 | −20% |
| Rice / lb | $0.48 | $1.54 | $1.11 | −28% |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $0.73 | $2.37 | $1.37 | −42% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.36 | $1.17 | $1.02 | −13% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $1.87 | $6.04 | $5.21 | −14% |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $2.57 | $8.28 | $6.75 | −18% |
Drinks
| Item | 1984 | 1984 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $2.58 | $8.31 | $9.30 | +12% |
How these prices are calculated
Prices are U.S. city averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Average Price Data, which BLS collects each month for the Consumer Price Index. The 1984 price is the average of that year's available monthly prices, and the "today" price is the latest monthly average, from August 2026. The inflation-adjusted price converts the 1984 price to today's dollars using the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). "vs. inflation" compares the actual price today with that inflation-adjusted price.
To convert any other amount, use the 1984 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 1983 · What things cost in 1985 →
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