How much did bacon cost in 1981?
Bacon averaged $1.67 per lb in 1981 — about $6.16 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1981
In 1981, bacon averaged $1.67 per lb at the U.S. city average, across all twelve months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $1.53 in April to $1.78 in October. Over the year it rose from $1.67 in January to $1.75 in December, a 5.0% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.67 in 1981 is worth about $6.16 in 2026 dollars. Today bacon averages $6.71 per lb, so in real terms it is 9% more expensive than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 302% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.67 | ▼ 2.5% |
| February | $1.64 | ▼ 1.8% |
| March | $1.60 | ▼ 2.6% |
| April | $1.53 | ▼ 4.1% |
| May | $1.55 | ▲ 1.2% |
| June | $1.60 | ▲ 3.4% |
| July | $1.67 | ▲ 4.0% |
| August | $1.69 | ▲ 1.7% |
| September | $1.75 | ▲ 3.5% |
| October | $1.78 | ▲ 1.5% |
| November | $1.77 | ▼ 0.8% |
| December | $1.75 | ▼ 0.8% |
| 1981 average | $1.67 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bacon in 1981?
Bacon averaged $1.67 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.67 of 1981 bacon worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.67 in 1981 is about $6.16 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of bacon compare to now?
Bacon now averages $6.71 per lb, up 302% from the 1981 average of $1.67.