How much did cheddar cheese cost in 2002?
Cheddar cheese averaged $4.22 per lb in 2002 — about $7.86 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000710212.
In 2002, cheddar cheese averaged $4.22 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 $4.11 in April to $4.38 in September. Over the year it fell from $4.23 in January to $4.11 in December, a 2.9% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $4.22 in 2002 is worth about $7.86 in 2026 dollars. Today cheddar cheese averages $5.69 per lb, so in real terms it is 28% cheaper than it was in 2002. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 35% versus the 2002 average.
2002 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $4.23 | ▲ 1.5% |
| February | $4.18 | ▼ 1.2% |
| March | $4.16 | ▼ 0.4% |
| April | $4.11 | ▼ 1.3% |
| May | $4.20 | ▲ 2.3% |
| June | $4.31 | ▲ 2.6% |
| July | $4.29 | ▼ 0.4% |
| August | $4.35 | ▲ 1.2% |
| September | $4.38 | ▲ 0.8% |
| October | $4.16 | ▼ 5.0% |
| November | $4.14 | ▼ 0.5% |
| December | $4.11 | ▼ 0.8% |
| 2002 average | $4.22 |
FAQ
What was the average price of cheddar cheese in 2002?
Cheddar cheese averaged $4.22 per lb in 2002, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $4.22 of 2002 cheddar cheese worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $4.22 in 2002 is about $7.86 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2002 price of cheddar cheese compare to now?
Cheddar cheese now averages $5.69 per lb, up 35% from the 2002 average of $4.22.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Cheddar cheese price in 2002 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/2002/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710212. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/2002/">Cheddar cheese price in 2002 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710212; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Cheddar cheese price in 2002 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/cheese/2002/