How much did ground beef cost in 2016?
Ground beef averaged $3.75 per lb in 2016 — about $5.24 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2016
In 2016, ground beef averaged $3.75 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 $3.56 in December to $3.98 in January. Over the year it fell from $3.98 in January to $3.56 in December, a 10.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.75 in 2016 is worth about $5.24 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 29% more expensive than it was in 2016. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 80% versus the 2016 average.
2016 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.98 | ▼ 2.0% |
| February | $3.96 | ▼ 0.3% |
| March | $3.96 | ▼ 0.2% |
| April | $3.82 | ▼ 3.5% |
| May | $3.72 | ▼ 2.6% |
| June | $3.73 | ▲ 0.2% |
| July | $3.69 | ▼ 0.9% |
| August | $3.66 | ▼ 0.9% |
| September | $3.67 | ▲ 0.2% |
| October | $3.68 | ▲ 0.4% |
| November | $3.60 | ▼ 2.2% |
| December | $3.56 | ▼ 1.1% |
| 2016 average | $3.75 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2016?
Ground beef averaged $3.75 per lb in 2016, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.75 of 2016 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.75 in 2016 is about $5.24 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2016 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 80% from the 2016 average of $3.75.