How much did chicken cost in 1990?
Chicken averaged $0.90 per lb in 1990 — about $2.31 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 1990, chicken averaged $0.90 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 $0.86 in December to $0.93 in March. Over the year it fell from $0.88 in January to $0.86 in December, a 2.7% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.90 in 1990 is worth about $2.31 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 12% cheaper than it was in 1990. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 126% versus the 1990 average.
1990 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.88 | ▼ 0.1% |
| February | $0.90 | ▲ 1.6% |
| March | $0.93 | ▲ 3.6% |
| April | $0.90 | ▼ 3.3% |
| May | $0.90 | ▲ 0.6% |
| June | $0.93 | ▲ 2.9% |
| July | $0.92 | ▼ 1.2% |
| August | $0.91 | ▼ 0.6% |
| September | $0.91 | ▼ 0.6% |
| October | $0.88 | ▼ 2.6% |
| November | $0.88 | ▼ 0.3% |
| December | $0.86 | ▼ 2.5% |
| 1990 average | $0.90 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 1990?
Chicken averaged $0.90 per lb in 1990, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.90 of 1990 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.90 in 1990 is about $2.31 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1990 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 126% from the 1990 average of $0.90.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 1990 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1990/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1990/">Chicken price in 1990 (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 1990 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1990/