How much did chicken cost in 1981?
Chicken averaged $0.73 per lb in 1981 — about $2.69 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 1981, chicken averaged $0.73 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 $0.70 in December to $0.77 in July. Over the year it fell from $0.75 in January to $0.70 in December, a 6.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.73 in 1981 is worth about $2.69 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 24% cheaper than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 179% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.75 | ▼ 1.4% |
| February | $0.76 | ▲ 1.3% |
| March | $0.76 | ▼ 0.5% |
| April | $0.73 | ▼ 2.8% |
| May | $0.71 | ▼ 3.8% |
| June | $0.72 | ▲ 1.6% |
| July | $0.77 | ▲ 7.0% |
| August | $0.75 | ▼ 2.0% |
| September | $0.73 | ▼ 3.2% |
| October | $0.71 | ▼ 2.2% |
| November | $0.70 | ▼ 1.4% |
| December | $0.70 | ▼ 0.3% |
| 1981 average | $0.73 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 1981?
Chicken averaged $0.73 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.73 of 1981 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.73 in 1981 is about $2.69 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 179% from the 1981 average of $0.73.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 1981 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1981/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1981/">Chicken price in 1981 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Chicken price in 1981 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1981/