How much did bread cost in 1981?
Bread averaged $0.53 per lb in 1981 — about $1.95 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1981, bread averaged $0.53 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 $0.52 in April to $0.54 in March. Over the year it fell from $0.53 in January to $0.52 in December, a 1.9% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.53 in 1981 is worth about $1.95 in 2026 dollars. Today bread averages $1.83 per lb, so in real terms it is 6% cheaper than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 245% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.53 | ▲ 2.3% |
| February | $0.53 | ▲ 0.4% |
| March | $0.54 | ▲ 0.9% |
| April | $0.52 | ▼ 3.5% |
| May | $0.53 | ▲ 1.2% |
| June | $0.52 | ▼ 0.4% |
| July | $0.52 | ▼ 0.4% |
| August | $0.52 | ▼ 0.4% |
| September | $0.52 | ▲ 1.0% |
| October | $0.52 | ▼ 0.6% |
| November | $0.53 | ▲ 1.1% |
| December | $0.52 | ▼ 1.1% |
| 1981 average | $0.53 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1981?
Bread averaged $0.53 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.53 of 1981 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.53 in 1981 is about $1.95 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 245% from the 1981 average of $0.53.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1981 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1981/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1981/">Bread price in 1981 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Bread price in 1981 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1981/