How much did chicken cost in 1984?
Chicken averaged $0.81 per lb in 1984 — about $2.61 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 1984, chicken averaged $0.81 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 $0.75 in December to $0.87 in February. Over the year it fell from $0.84 in January to $0.75 in December, a 10.3% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.81 in 1984 is worth about $2.61 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 22% cheaper than it was in 1984. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 151% versus the 1984 average.
1984 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.84 | ▲ 3.3% |
| February | $0.87 | ▲ 3.3% |
| March | $0.85 | ▼ 2.2% |
| April | $0.84 | ▼ 0.5% |
| May | $0.81 | ▼ 3.9% |
| June | $0.82 | ▲ 0.7% |
| July | $0.83 | ▲ 1.5% |
| August | $0.79 | ▼ 5.0% |
| September | $0.79 | ▲ 0.3% |
| October | $0.76 | ▼ 3.3% |
| November | $0.77 | ▲ 0.9% |
| December | $0.75 | ▼ 2.3% |
| 1984 average | $0.81 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 1984?
Chicken averaged $0.81 per lb in 1984, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.81 of 1984 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.81 in 1984 is about $2.61 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1984 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 151% from the 1984 average of $0.81.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 1984 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1984/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1984/">Chicken price in 1984 (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 1984 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1984/