How much did ground beef cost in 1986?
Ground beef averaged $1.23 per lb in 1986 — about $3.76 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1986
In 1986, ground beef averaged $1.23 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 $1.17 in June to $1.28 in November. Over the year it fell from $1.28 in January to $1.26 in December, a 1.4% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.23 in 1986 is worth about $3.76 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 79% more expensive than it was in 1986. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 448% versus the 1986 average.
1986 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.28 | ▼ 0.2% |
| February | $1.26 | ▼ 0.9% |
| March | $1.27 | ▲ 0.3% |
| April | $1.22 | ▼ 3.8% |
| May | $1.19 | ▼ 2.6% |
| June | $1.17 | ▼ 1.9% |
| July | $1.19 | ▲ 2.1% |
| August | $1.23 | ▲ 3.0% |
| September | $1.23 | ▲ 0.7% |
| October | $1.23 | ▼ 0.7% |
| November | $1.28 | ▲ 4.3% |
| December | $1.26 | ▼ 1.6% |
| 1986 average | $1.23 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1986?
Ground beef averaged $1.23 per lb in 1986, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.23 of 1986 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.23 in 1986 is about $3.76 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1986 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 448% from the 1986 average of $1.23.