How much did bananas cost in 1988?
Bananas averaged $0.42 per lb in 1988 — about $1.19 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1988, bananas averaged $0.42 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 $0.37 in January to $0.50 in June. Over the year it rose from $0.37 in January to $0.41 in December, a 8.8% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.42 in 1988 is worth about $1.19 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 46% cheaper than it was in 1988. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 54% versus the 1988 average.
1988 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.37 | ▼ 0.3% |
| February | $0.42 | ▲ 11.0% |
| March | $0.41 | ▼ 0.5% |
| April | $0.42 | ▲ 2.4% |
| May | $0.42 | ▼ 0.2% |
| June | $0.50 | ▲ 18.7% |
| July | $0.43 | ▼ 13.6% |
| August | $0.40 | ▼ 8.3% |
| September | $0.39 | ▼ 2.0% |
| October | $0.42 | ▲ 8.2% |
| November | $0.42 | ▲ 0.5% |
| December | $0.41 | ▼ 3.8% |
| 1988 average | $0.42 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1988?
Bananas averaged $0.42 per lb in 1988, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.42 of 1988 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.42 in 1988 is about $1.19 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1988 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 54% from the 1988 average of $0.42.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1988 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1988/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1988/">Bananas price in 1988 (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 1988 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1988/