THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did cheddar cheese cost in 1988?

Cheddar cheese averaged $3.16 per lb in 1988 — about $8.95 in 2026 dollars.

Cheddar cheese price in 1988 Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1988
$3.12$3.14$3.16$3.18$3.20$3.22JanMarMayJulAugOctDecJan 1988$3.13Dec 1988$3.21basketreport.com

12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000710212.

In 1988, cheddar cheese averaged $3.16 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 $3.12 in August to $3.21 in December. Over the year it rose from $3.13 in January to $3.21 in December, a 2.6% increase.

Adjusted for inflation, $3.16 in 1988 is worth about $8.95 in 2026 dollars. Today cheddar cheese averages $5.69 per lb, so in real terms it is 36% cheaper than it was in 1988. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 80% versus the 1988 average.

1988 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $3.13 ▲ 0.8%
February $3.16 ▲ 0.9%
March $3.14 ▼ 0.5%
April $3.16 ▲ 0.7%
May $3.20 ▲ 1.2%
June $3.16 ▼ 1.2%
July $3.14 ▼ 0.5%
August $3.12 ▼ 0.7%
September $3.18 ▲ 1.7%
October $3.20 ▲ 0.7%
November $3.20 ▲ 0.1%
December $3.21 ▲ 0.2%
1988 average$3.16

FAQ

What was the average price of cheddar cheese in 1988?

Cheddar cheese averaged $3.16 per lb in 1988, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $3.16 of 1988 cheddar cheese worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.16 in 1988 is about $8.95 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 1988 price of cheddar cheese compare to now?

Cheddar cheese now averages $5.69 per lb, up 80% from the 1988 average of $3.16.

Cite this

Plain text
Basket Report. "Cheddar cheese price in 1988 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/1988/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710212.
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<a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/1988/">Cheddar cheese price in 1988 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710212; retrieved June 26, 2026)
APA
Basket Report. (2026). Cheddar cheese price in 1988 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/1988/