How much did ground beef cost in 1999?
Ground beef averaged $1.45 per lb in 1999 — about $2.92 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1999
In 1999, ground beef averaged $1.45 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 January to $1.53 in December. Over the year it rose from $1.38 in January to $1.53 in December, a 10.6% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.45 in 1999 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 1999. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 365% versus the 1999 average.
1999 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.38 | ▼ 0.4% |
| February | $1.43 | ▲ 3.5% |
| March | $1.40 | ▼ 1.9% |
| April | $1.43 | ▲ 1.8% |
| May | $1.44 | ▲ 1.1% |
| June | $1.45 | ▲ 0.3% |
| July | $1.44 | ▼ 0.9% |
| August | $1.44 | ▲ 0.5% |
| September | $1.48 | ▲ 2.9% |
| October | $1.50 | ▲ 0.8% |
| November | $1.52 | ▲ 1.5% |
| December | $1.53 | ▲ 0.7% |
| 1999 average | $1.45 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 1999?
Ground beef averaged $1.45 per lb in 1999, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.45 of 1999 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.45 in 1999 is about $2.92 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1999 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 365% from the 1999 average of $1.45.