THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did ground beef cost in 1994?

Ground beef averaged $1.48 per lb in 1994 — about $3.35 in 2026 dollars.

Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1994

$1.36$1.42$1.48$1.53$1.59 $1.38 199419941994199419941994

In 1994, ground beef averaged $1.48 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 $1.38 in November to $1.58 in March. Over the year it fell from $1.56 in January to $1.38 in December, a 11.6% decline.

Adjusted for inflation, $1.48 in 1994 is worth about $3.35 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 101% more expensive than it was in 1994. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 356% versus the 1994 average.

1994 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $1.56 ▼ 0.8%
February $1.56 ▼ 0.4%
March $1.58 ▲ 1.4%
April $1.48 ▼ 6.0%
May $1.49 ▲ 0.5%
June $1.51 ▲ 1.5%
July $1.46 ▼ 3.6%
August $1.46 ▲ 0.3%
September $1.46 ▲ 0.2%
October $1.42 ▼ 3.2%
November $1.38 ▼ 2.8%
December $1.38 ▲ 0.3%
1994 average$1.48

FAQ

What was the average price of ground beef in 1994?

Ground beef averaged $1.48 per lb in 1994, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $1.48 of 1994 ground beef worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.48 in 1994 is about $3.35 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 1994 price of ground beef compare to now?

Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 356% from the 1994 average of $1.48.