How much did bananas cost in 1986?
Bananas averaged $0.38 per lb in 1986 — about $1.16 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1986, bananas averaged $0.38 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 $0.33 in December to $0.46 in April. Over the year it fell from $0.34 in January to $0.33 in December, a 1.2% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.38 in 1986 is worth about $1.16 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 44% cheaper than it was in 1986. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 70% versus the 1986 average.
1986 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.34 | ▲ 5.0% |
| February | $0.38 | ▲ 12.2% |
| March | $0.40 | ▲ 6.3% |
| April | $0.46 | ▲ 15.4% |
| May | $0.46 | ▼ 0.7% |
| June | $0.38 | ▼ 18.4% |
| July | $0.37 | ▼ 1.3% |
| August | $0.37 | ▼ 0.5% |
| September | $0.38 | ▲ 4.1% |
| October | $0.37 | ▼ 3.1% |
| November | $0.37 | ▼ 0.3% |
| December | $0.33 | ▼ 10.2% |
| 1986 average | $0.38 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1986?
Bananas averaged $0.38 per lb in 1986, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.38 of 1986 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.38 in 1986 is about $1.16 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1986 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 70% from the 1986 average of $0.38.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1986 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1986/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1986/">Bananas price in 1986 (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 1986 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1986/