How much did bacon cost in 1998?
Bacon averaged $2.54 per lb in 1998 — about $5.22 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1998
In 1998, bacon averaged $2.54 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 $2.44 in May to $2.64 in January. Over the year it fell from $2.64 in January to $2.58 in December, a 2.4% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.54 in 1998 is worth about $5.22 in 2026 dollars. Today bacon averages $6.71 per lb, so in real terms it is 29% more expensive than it was in 1998. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 164% versus the 1998 average.
1998 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.64 | ▲ 1.4% |
| February | $2.62 | ▼ 0.8% |
| March | $2.54 | ▼ 3.2% |
| April | $2.44 | ▼ 3.7% |
| May | $2.44 | ▼ 0.3% |
| June | $2.46 | ▲ 0.8% |
| July | $2.52 | ▲ 2.4% |
| August | $2.51 | ▼ 0.2% |
| September | $2.58 | ▲ 2.5% |
| October | $2.57 | ▼ 0.3% |
| November | $2.62 | ▲ 2.0% |
| December | $2.58 | ▼ 1.5% |
| 1998 average | $2.54 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bacon in 1998?
Bacon averaged $2.54 per lb in 1998, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.54 of 1998 bacon worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.54 in 1998 is about $5.22 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1998 price of bacon compare to now?
Bacon now averages $6.71 per lb, up 164% from the 1998 average of $2.54.