What things cost in 1998 vs. today
In 1998, a dozen eggs cost $1.04, a gallon of milk cost $2.70, a gallon of gas cost $1.06, a pound of white bread cost $0.86, a pound of ground beef cost $1.41 and a pound of coffee cost $3.77. Overall, $1 in 1998 buys about as much as $2.06 today.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked average prices for 44 of these everyday items in both 1998 and August 2026. After adjusting for inflation, 27 of them cost more today than in 1998, and 17 are cheaper in real terms.
Rose faster than inflation
- Heating oil: $0.88 → $5.15 per gallon (185% above inflation)
- Ground beef: $1.41 → $6.92 per lb (139% above inflation)
- Diesel fuel: $1.17 → $5.55 per gallon (130% above inflation)
- Ground beef, lean: $2.06 → $8.57 per lb (102% above inflation)
- Gasoline, premium: $1.25 → $5.13 per gallon (100% above inflation)
Cheaper today after inflation
- Pork chops, boneless: $3.76 → $4.53 per lb (41% below inflation)
- Chicken legs: $1.27 → $1.67 per lb (36% below inflation)
- Bananas: $0.49 → $0.65 per lb (36% below inflation)
- American cheese: $3.59 → $4.75 per lb (36% below inflation)
- Tomatoes: $1.48 → $1.98 per lb (35% below inflation)
1998 prices vs. today
Each row shows the average 1998 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 | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, regular / gallon | $1.06 | $2.18 | $4.20 | +93% |
| Gasoline, midgrade / gallon | $1.16 | $2.38 | $4.69 | +97% |
| Gasoline, premium / gallon | $1.25 | $2.57 | $5.13 | +100% |
| Diesel fuel / gallon | $1.17 | $2.41 | $5.55 | +130% |
| Electricity / kWh | $0.09 | $0.18 | $0.20 | +10% |
| Natural gas (piped) / therm | $0.68 | $1.40 | $1.71 | +22% |
| Heating oil / gallon | $0.88 | $1.81 | $5.15 | +185% |
Meat & poultry
| Item | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef / lb | $1.41 | $2.90 | $6.92 | +139% |
| Ground chuck / lb | $1.81 | $3.72 | $6.77 | +82% |
| Ground beef, lean / lb | $2.06 | $4.24 | $8.57 | +102% |
| Sirloin steak / lb | $4.19 | $8.61 | $14.36 | +67% |
| Round steak / lb | $3.09 | $6.35 | $9.69 | +53% |
| Round roast / lb | $2.73 | $5.61 | $8.96 | +60% |
| Chuck roast / lb | $2.35 | $4.84 | $9.45 | +95% |
| Beef stew meat / lb | $2.55 | $5.25 | $8.59 | +64% |
| Bacon / lb | $2.54 | $5.23 | $6.61 | +26% |
| Pork chops, boneless / lb | $3.76 | $7.72 | $4.53 | −41% |
| Ham, boneless / lb | $2.81 | $5.78 | $5.38 | −7% |
| Whole chicken / lb | $1.04 | $2.14 | $2.01 | −6% |
| Chicken legs / lb | $1.27 | $2.61 | $1.67 | −36% |
Dairy & eggs
| Item | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, grade A large / dozen | $1.04 | $2.13 | $2.27 | +7% |
| Whole milk / gallon | $2.70 | $5.56 | $4.23 | −24% |
| Cheddar cheese / lb | $3.55 | $7.29 | $5.98 | −18% |
| American cheese / lb | $3.59 | $7.38 | $4.75 | −36% |
| Ice cream / ½ gallon | $3.13 | $6.43 | $5.85 | −9% |
Fruits & vegetables
| Item | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas / lb | $0.49 | $1.02 | $0.65 | −36% |
| Navel oranges / lb | $0.56 | $1.16 | $1.71 | +47% |
| Grapefruit / lb | $0.60 | $1.23 | $1.60 | +30% |
| Lemons / lb | $1.20 | $2.46 | $2.11 | −14% |
| Strawberries / 12 oz | $1.64 | $3.38 | $2.58 | −24% |
| Tomatoes / lb | $1.48 | $3.03 | $1.98 | −35% |
| Potatoes / lb | $0.38 | $0.77 | $0.98 | +26% |
| Iceberg lettuce / lb | $0.76 | $1.56 | $1.47 | −5% |
| Dried beans / lb | $0.69 | $1.42 | $1.63 | +15% |
Pantry & bakery
| Item | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bread / lb | $0.86 | $1.77 | $1.82 | +3% |
| Flour / lb | $0.30 | $0.62 | $0.55 | −11% |
| Rice / lb | $0.54 | $1.11 | $1.11 | Same |
| Spaghetti & macaroni / lb | $0.88 | $1.81 | $1.37 | −24% |
| Sugar / lb | $0.43 | $0.88 | $1.02 | +16% |
| Chocolate chip cookies / lb | $2.54 | $5.22 | $5.21 | Same |
| Potato chips / 16 oz | $3.16 | $6.50 | $6.75 | +4% |
Drinks
| Item | 1998 | 1998 price in today's dollars | August 2026 | vs. inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee / lb | $3.77 | $7.74 | $9.30 | +20% |
| Beer / 16 oz | $0.86 | $1.77 | $1.88 | +6% |
| Wine / liter | $5.07 | $10.42 | $13.75 | +32% |
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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 inflation calculator.
Prices in other years
← What things cost in 1997 · What things cost in 1999 →
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