How much did chicken cost in 2018?
Chicken averaged $1.50 per lb in 2018 — about $2.00 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 2018, chicken averaged $1.50 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 $1.44 in October to $1.52 in May. Over the year it fell from $1.51 in January to $1.47 in December, a 2.8% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.50 in 2018 is worth about $2.00 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 2% more expensive than it was in 2018. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 36% versus the 2018 average.
2018 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.51 | ▲ 2.6% |
| February | $1.48 | ▼ 2.0% |
| March | $1.50 | ▲ 1.6% |
| April | $1.51 | ▲ 0.6% |
| May | $1.52 | ▲ 0.8% |
| June | $1.51 | ▼ 0.6% |
| July | $1.52 | ▲ 0.3% |
| August | $1.51 | ▼ 0.5% |
| September | $1.49 | ▼ 1.6% |
| October | $1.44 | ▼ 2.9% |
| November | $1.50 | ▲ 4.0% |
| December | $1.47 | ▼ 2.3% |
| 2018 average | $1.50 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 2018?
Chicken averaged $1.50 per lb in 2018, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.50 of 2018 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.50 in 2018 is about $2.00 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2018 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 36% from the 2018 average of $1.50.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 2018 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/2018/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/2018/">Chicken price in 2018 (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 2018 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/2018/