How much did ground beef cost in 1985?
Ground beef averaged $1.24 per lb in 1985 — about $3.86 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1985
In 1985, ground beef averaged $1.24 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 $1.19 in October to $1.28 in January. Over the year it fell from $1.28 in January to $1.28 in December, a 0.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.24 in 1985 is worth about $3.86 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 75% more expensive than it was in 1985. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 444% versus the 1985 average.
1985 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.28 | ▼ 1.1% |
| February | $1.28 | ▼ 0.1% |
| March | $1.28 | ▼ 0.1% |
| April | $1.27 | ▼ 1.2% |
| May | $1.21 | ▼ 4.3% |
| June | $1.21 | ▼ 0.7% |
| July | $1.20 | ▼ 0.4% |
| August | $1.21 | ▲ 0.6% |
| September | $1.21 | ▼ 0.2% |
| October | $1.19 | ▼ 1.3% |
| November | $1.24 | ▲ 4.1% |
| December | $1.28 | ▲ 3.1% |
| 1985 average | $1.24 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1985?
Ground beef averaged $1.24 per lb in 1985, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.24 of 1985 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.24 in 1985 is about $3.86 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1985 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 444% from the 1985 average of $1.24.