How much did bread cost in 1989?
Bread averaged $0.67 per lb in 1989 — about $1.81 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1989, bread averaged $0.67 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 $0.65 in February to $0.69 in December. Over the year it rose from $0.65 in January to $0.69 in December, a 5.4% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.67 in 1989 is worth about $1.81 in 2026 dollars. Today bread averages $1.83 per lb, so in real terms it is 1% more expensive than it was in 1989. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 173% versus the 1989 average.
1989 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.65 | ▼ 0.6% |
| February | $0.65 | ▼ 0.1% |
| March | $0.65 | ▲ 0.3% |
| April | $0.66 | ▲ 0.1% |
| May | $0.66 | — |
| June | $0.66 | ▲ 1.4% |
| July | $0.67 | ▲ 1.1% |
| August | $0.67 | ▲ 0.5% |
| September | $0.67 | ▼ 0.5% |
| October | $0.67 | ▲ 0.5% |
| November | $0.68 | ▲ 0.3% |
| December | $0.69 | ▲ 1.8% |
| 1989 average | $0.67 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1989?
Bread averaged $0.67 per lb in 1989, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.67 of 1989 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.67 in 1989 is about $1.81 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1989 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 173% from the 1989 average of $0.67.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1989 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1989/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1989/">Bread price in 1989 (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 1989 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1989/