How much did ground beef cost in 1984?
Ground beef averaged $1.29 per lb in 1984 — about $4.16 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1984
In 1984, ground beef averaged $1.29 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 $1.25 in October to $1.34 in February. Over the year it rose from $1.29 in January to $1.30 in December, a 0.6% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.29 in 1984 is worth about $4.16 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 62% more expensive than it was in 1984. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 423% versus the 1984 average.
1984 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.29 | — |
| February | $1.34 | ▲ 3.9% |
| March | $1.31 | ▼ 2.4% |
| April | $1.33 | ▲ 1.8% |
| May | $1.30 | ▼ 2.3% |
| June | $1.27 | ▼ 2.5% |
| July | $1.25 | ▼ 1.6% |
| August | $1.28 | ▲ 2.5% |
| September | $1.27 | ▼ 0.9% |
| October | $1.25 | ▼ 1.7% |
| November | $1.27 | ▲ 1.6% |
| December | $1.30 | ▲ 2.5% |
| 1984 average | $1.29 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1984?
Ground beef averaged $1.29 per lb in 1984, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.29 of 1984 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.29 in 1984 is about $4.16 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1984 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 423% from the 1984 average of $1.29.