How much did bananas cost in 1983?
Bananas averaged $0.39 per lb in 1983 — about $1.31 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1983, bananas averaged $0.39 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 $0.32 in December to $0.46 in July. Over the year it fell from $0.33 in January to $0.32 in December, a 5.1% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.39 in 1983 is worth about $1.31 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 51% cheaper than it was in 1983. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 66% versus the 1983 average.
1983 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.33 | ▼ 1.5% |
| February | $0.35 | ▲ 6.0% |
| March | $0.36 | ▲ 1.4% |
| April | $0.42 | ▲ 16.5% |
| May | $0.44 | ▲ 5.3% |
| June | $0.45 | ▲ 2.5% |
| July | $0.46 | ▲ 2.9% |
| August | $0.40 | ▼ 12.8% |
| September | $0.39 | ▼ 2.2% |
| October | $0.39 | ▼ 2.3% |
| November | $0.33 | ▼ 15.1% |
| December | $0.32 | ▼ 3.7% |
| 1983 average | $0.39 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1983?
Bananas averaged $0.39 per lb in 1983, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.39 of 1983 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.39 in 1983 is about $1.31 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1983 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 66% from the 1983 average of $0.39.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1983 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1983/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1983/">Bananas price in 1983 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Bananas price in 1983 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1983/