How much did ground beef cost in 2006?
Ground beef averaged $2.22 per lb in 2006 — about $3.69 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2006
In 2006, ground beef averaged $2.22 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 $2.15 in July to $2.28 in January. Over the year it fell from $2.28 in January to $2.26 in December, a 0.8% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.22 in 2006 is worth about $3.69 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 83% more expensive than it was in 2006. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 204% versus the 2006 average.
2006 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.28 | ▼ 1.1% |
| February | $2.19 | ▼ 3.9% |
| March | $2.25 | ▲ 2.9% |
| April | $2.23 | ▼ 1.0% |
| May | $2.24 | ▲ 0.5% |
| June | $2.24 | ▼ 0.1% |
| July | $2.15 | ▼ 4.0% |
| August | $2.21 | ▲ 3.1% |
| September | $2.20 | ▼ 0.5% |
| October | $2.21 | ▲ 0.2% |
| November | $2.21 | — 0.0% |
| December | $2.26 | ▲ 2.4% |
| 2006 average | $2.22 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2006?
Ground beef averaged $2.22 per lb in 2006, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.22 of 2006 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.22 in 2006 is about $3.69 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2006 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 204% from the 2006 average of $2.22.