How much did bread cost in 1985?
Bread averaged $0.55 per lb in 1985 — about $1.71 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1985, bread averaged $0.55 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 May to $0.57 in December. Over the year it rose from $0.55 in January to $0.57 in December, a 3.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.55 in 1985 is worth about $1.71 in 2026 dollars. Today bread averages $1.83 per lb, so in real terms it is 7% more expensive than it was in 1985. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 233% versus the 1985 average.
1985 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.55 | ▲ 1.3% |
| February | $0.54 | ▼ 1.3% |
| March | $0.54 | — |
| April | $0.54 | — |
| May | $0.54 | ▼ 0.4% |
| June | $0.55 | ▲ 0.7% |
| July | $0.56 | ▲ 1.8% |
| August | $0.55 | ▼ 0.5% |
| September | $0.56 | ▲ 1.4% |
| October | $0.57 | ▲ 0.9% |
| November | $0.56 | ▼ 0.3% |
| December | $0.57 | ▲ 0.7% |
| 1985 average | $0.55 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1985?
Bread averaged $0.55 per lb in 1985, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.55 of 1985 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.55 in 1985 is about $1.71 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1985 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 233% from the 1985 average of $0.55.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1985 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1985/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1985/">Bread price in 1985 (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 1985 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1985/