How much did ground beef cost in 1987?
Ground beef averaged $1.31 per lb in 1987 — about $3.86 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1987
In 1987, ground beef averaged $1.31 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 $1.27 in February to $1.35 in November. Over the year it rose from $1.30 in January to $1.32 in December, a 1.7% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.31 in 1987 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 1987. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 415% versus the 1987 average.
1987 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.30 | ▲ 3.4% |
| February | $1.27 | ▼ 2.2% |
| March | $1.28 | ▲ 0.6% |
| April | $1.29 | ▲ 1.3% |
| May | $1.32 | ▲ 1.9% |
| June | $1.30 | ▼ 1.3% |
| July | $1.31 | ▲ 0.9% |
| August | $1.32 | ▲ 0.7% |
| September | $1.32 | ▲ 0.1% |
| October | $1.33 | ▲ 0.2% |
| November | $1.35 | ▲ 1.9% |
| December | $1.32 | ▼ 2.1% |
| 1987 average | $1.31 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1987?
Ground beef averaged $1.31 per lb in 1987, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.31 of 1987 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.31 in 1987 is about $3.86 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1987 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 415% from the 1987 average of $1.31.