How much did chicken cost in 1998?
Chicken averaged $1.04 per lb in 1998 — about $2.14 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 1998, chicken averaged $1.04 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 $1.01 in February to $1.08 in November. Over the year it rose from $1.02 in January to $1.06 in December, a 3.7% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.04 in 1998 is worth about $2.14 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 5% cheaper than it was in 1998. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 96% versus the 1998 average.
1998 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.02 | ▲ 2.1% |
| February | $1.01 | ▼ 1.5% |
| March | $1.03 | ▲ 2.5% |
| April | $1.03 | ▼ 0.3% |
| May | $1.03 | ▲ 0.3% |
| June | $1.02 | ▼ 1.6% |
| July | $1.03 | ▲ 1.7% |
| August | $1.06 | ▲ 2.5% |
| September | $1.07 | ▲ 1.4% |
| October | $1.08 | ▲ 0.2% |
| November | $1.08 | ▲ 0.7% |
| December | $1.06 | ▼ 2.2% |
| 1998 average | $1.04 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 1998?
Chicken averaged $1.04 per lb in 1998, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.04 of 1998 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.04 in 1998 is about $2.14 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1998 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 96% from the 1998 average of $1.04.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 1998 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1998/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1998/">Chicken price in 1998 (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 1998 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1998/