How much did bread cost in 1983?
Bread averaged $0.54 per lb in 1983 — about $1.82 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1983, bread averaged $0.54 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 $0.54 in October to $0.55 in November. Over the year it rose from $0.54 in January to $0.55 in December, a 1.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.54 in 1983 is worth about $1.82 in 2026 dollars. Today bread averages $1.83 per lb, so in real terms it is 1% more expensive than it was in 1983. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 239% versus the 1983 average.
1983 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.54 | ▲ 0.7% |
| February | $0.54 | ▲ 0.6% |
| March | $0.54 | — |
| April | $0.54 | ▼ 1.1% |
| May | $0.54 | ▲ 0.7% |
| June | $0.54 | — |
| July | $0.54 | ▲ 0.4% |
| August | $0.54 | ▼ 0.9% |
| September | $0.54 | ▼ 0.6% |
| October | $0.54 | ▼ 0.2% |
| November | $0.55 | ▲ 2.2% |
| December | $0.55 | — |
| 1983 average | $0.54 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1983?
Bread averaged $0.54 per lb in 1983, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.54 of 1983 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.54 in 1983 is about $1.82 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1983 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 239% from the 1983 average of $0.54.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1983 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1983/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1983/">Bread price in 1983 (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 1983 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1983/