How much did bananas cost in 1998?
Bananas averaged $0.49 per lb in 1998 — about $1.01 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1998, 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 $0.47 in October to $0.53 in July. Over the year it rose from $0.47 in January to $0.51 in December, a 7.8% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.49 in 1998 is worth about $1.01 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 36% cheaper than it was in 1998. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 32% versus the 1998 average.
1998 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.47 | ▲ 2.6% |
| February | $0.49 | ▲ 3.4% |
| March | $0.48 | ▼ 2.9% |
| April | $0.51 | ▲ 7.6% |
| May | $0.51 | ▼ 0.2% |
| June | $0.51 | ▼ 0.6% |
| July | $0.53 | ▲ 4.5% |
| August | $0.49 | ▼ 7.7% |
| September | $0.48 | ▼ 2.7% |
| October | $0.47 | ▼ 1.3% |
| November | $0.49 | ▲ 3.6% |
| December | $0.51 | ▲ 4.7% |
| 1998 average | $0.49 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1998?
Bananas averaged $0.49 per lb in 1998, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.49 of 1998 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.49 in 1998 is about $1.01 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1998 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 32% from the 1998 average of $0.49.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1998 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1998/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1998/">Bananas price in 1998 (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 1998 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1998/