How much did ground beef cost in 1997?
Ground beef averaged $1.40 per lb in 1997 — about $2.92 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1997
In 1997, ground beef averaged $1.40 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 $1.36 in March to $1.42 in September. Over the year it fell from $1.41 in January to $1.39 in December, a 1.2% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.40 in 1997 is worth about $2.92 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 131% more expensive than it was in 1997. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 382% versus the 1997 average.
1997 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.41 | ▼ 1.1% |
| February | $1.40 | ▼ 0.8% |
| March | $1.36 | ▼ 3.0% |
| April | $1.38 | ▲ 1.8% |
| May | $1.38 | ▲ 0.1% |
| June | $1.41 | ▲ 1.9% |
| July | $1.40 | ▼ 0.4% |
| August | $1.39 | ▼ 0.6% |
| September | $1.42 | ▲ 1.9% |
| October | $1.41 | ▼ 1.0% |
| November | $1.41 | ▲ 0.2% |
| December | $1.39 | ▼ 1.2% |
| 1997 average | $1.40 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1997?
Ground beef averaged $1.40 per lb in 1997, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.40 of 1997 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.40 in 1997 is about $2.92 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1997 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 382% from the 1997 average of $1.40.