How much did bananas cost in 1996?
Bananas averaged $0.49 per lb in 1996 — about $1.05 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1996, bananas averaged $0.49 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 $0.46 in September to $0.54 in March. Over the year it rose from $0.46 in January to $0.48 in December, a 3.9% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.49 in 1996 is worth about $1.05 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 38% cheaper than it was in 1996. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 32% versus the 1996 average.
1996 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.46 | ▲ 2.0% |
| February | $0.50 | ▲ 8.2% |
| March | $0.54 | ▲ 7.6% |
| April | $0.51 | ▼ 6.3% |
| May | $0.51 | ▲ 1.4% |
| June | $0.50 | ▼ 2.7% |
| July | $0.50 | — |
| August | $0.48 | ▼ 4.0% |
| September | $0.46 | ▼ 4.2% |
| October | $0.47 | ▲ 1.5% |
| November | $0.48 | ▲ 2.6% |
| December | $0.48 | ▲ 0.8% |
| 1996 average | $0.49 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1996?
Bananas averaged $0.49 per lb in 1996, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.49 of 1996 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.49 in 1996 is about $1.05 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1996 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 32% from the 1996 average of $0.49.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1996 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1996/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1996/">Bananas price in 1996 (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 1996 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1996/