How much did ground beef cost in 2012?
Ground beef averaged $3.03 per lb in 2012 — about $4.43 in 2026 dollars. Based on 11 months of data (partial year).
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2012
In 2012, ground beef averaged $3.03 per lb at the U.S. city average, across the 11 months the series reported that year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $2.95 in February to $3.18 in November. Over the year it rose from $3.01 in January to $3.08 in December, a 2.5% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.03 in 2012 is worth about $4.43 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 52% more expensive than it was in 2012. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 123% versus the 2012 average.
2012 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.01 | ▲ 2.9% |
| February | $2.95 | ▼ 1.9% |
| March | $3.02 | ▲ 2.3% |
| April | $3.00 | ▼ 0.6% |
| May | $3.00 | ▼ 0.1% |
| June | $3.01 | ▲ 0.4% |
| July | $3.09 | ▲ 2.6% |
| August | $2.99 | ▼ 3.0% |
| September | $3.02 | ▲ 1.1% |
| November | $3.18 | ▲ 5.0% |
| December | $3.08 | ▼ 3.0% |
| 2012 average | $3.03 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2012?
Ground beef averaged $3.03 per lb in 2012, based on 11 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.03 of 2012 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.03 in 2012 is about $4.43 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2012 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 123% from the 2012 average of $3.03.