How much did ground beef cost in 2002?
Ground beef averaged $1.71 per lb in 2002 — about $3.19 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2002
In 2002, ground beef averaged $1.71 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 $1.66 in July to $1.78 in April. Over the year it fell from $1.73 in January to $1.69 in December, a 2.4% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $1.71 in 2002 is worth about $3.19 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 111% more expensive than it was in 2002. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 294% versus the 2002 average.
2002 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $1.73 | ▲ 1.2% |
| February | $1.70 | ▼ 2.0% |
| March | $1.74 | ▲ 2.4% |
| April | $1.78 | ▲ 2.5% |
| May | $1.74 | ▼ 2.6% |
| June | $1.72 | ▼ 1.0% |
| July | $1.66 | ▼ 3.5% |
| August | $1.67 | ▲ 0.6% |
| September | $1.68 | ▲ 0.4% |
| October | $1.72 | ▲ 2.7% |
| November | $1.72 | — 0.0% |
| December | $1.69 | ▼ 1.6% |
| 2002 average | $1.71 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2002?
Ground beef averaged $1.71 per lb in 2002, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $1.71 of 2002 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $1.71 in 2002 is about $3.19 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2002 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 294% from the 2002 average of $1.71.