THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did eggs cost in 1981?

Eggs averaged $0.90 per doz in 1981 — about $3.32 in 2026 dollars.

Monthly average price (USD per doz) · 1981

$0.83$0.86$0.90$0.94$0.98 $0.97 198119811981198119811981

In 1981, eggs averaged $0.90 per doz 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 $0.84 in May to $0.97 in December. Over the year it rose from $0.94 in January to $0.97 in December, a 2.4% increase.

Adjusted for inflation, $0.90 in 1981 is worth about $3.32 in 2026 dollars. Today eggs averages $2.19 per doz, so in real terms it is 34% cheaper than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 143% versus the 1981 average.

1981 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $0.94 ▼ 8.5%
February $0.92 ▼ 2.0%
March $0.88 ▼ 5.3%
April $0.90 ▲ 3.3%
May $0.84 ▼ 7.5%
June $0.85 ▲ 1.9%
July $0.86 ▲ 0.9%
August $0.87 ▲ 0.9%
September $0.92 ▲ 5.4%
October $0.90 ▼ 1.9%
November $0.94 ▲ 5.0%
December $0.97 ▲ 2.4%
1981 average$0.90

FAQ

What was the average price of eggs in 1981?

Eggs averaged $0.90 per doz in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $0.90 of 1981 eggs worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.90 in 1981 is about $3.32 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 1981 price of eggs compare to now?

Eggs now averages $2.19 per doz, up 143% from the 1981 average of $0.90.