How much did bread cost in 1997?
Bread averaged $0.87 per lb in 1997 — about $1.82 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000702111.
In 1997, bread averaged $0.87 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 $0.85 in May to $0.90 in October. Over the year it rose from $0.86 in January to $0.88 in December, a 2.6% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.87 in 1997 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 1997. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 110% versus the 1997 average.
1997 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.86 | ▼ 1.5% |
| February | $0.86 | ▼ 0.5% |
| March | $0.86 | ▼ 0.3% |
| April | $0.86 | — |
| May | $0.85 | ▼ 0.1% |
| June | $0.87 | ▲ 2.3% |
| July | $0.87 | ▼ 0.2% |
| August | $0.87 | — |
| September | $0.89 | ▲ 1.5% |
| October | $0.90 | ▲ 1.6% |
| November | $0.90 | ▼ 0.2% |
| December | $0.88 | ▼ 1.4% |
| 1997 average | $0.87 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bread in 1997?
Bread averaged $0.87 per lb in 1997, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.87 of 1997 bread worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.87 in 1997 is about $1.82 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1997 price of bread compare to now?
Bread now averages $1.83 per lb, up 110% from the 1997 average of $0.87.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bread price in 1997 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1997/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000702111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1997/">Bread price in 1997 (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 1997 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bread/1997/