How much did bread cost in 1986?
Bread averaged $0.56 per lb in 1986 — about $1.71 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1986, bread averaged $0.56 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 $0.56 in March to $0.57 in August. Over the year it was little changed from $0.57 in January to $0.57 in December.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.56 in 1986 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 1986. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 227% versus the 1986 average.
1986 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.57 | ▼ 0.3% |
| February | $0.56 | ▼ 0.5% |
| March | $0.56 | ▼ 0.5% |
| April | $0.56 | ▲ 0.2% |
| May | $0.56 | ▲ 0.2% |
| June | $0.57 | ▲ 1.3% |
| July | $0.56 | ▼ 0.9% |
| August | $0.57 | ▲ 1.1% |
| September | $0.57 | ▼ 0.7% |
| October | $0.57 | ▼ 0.2% |
| November | $0.56 | ▼ 0.2% |
| December | $0.57 | ▲ 0.3% |
| 1986 average | $0.56 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1986?
Bread averaged $0.56 per lb in 1986, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.56 of 1986 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.56 in 1986 is about $1.71 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1986 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 227% from the 1986 average of $0.56.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1986 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1986/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1986/">Bread price in 1986 (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 1986 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1986/