How much did ground beef cost in 2018?
Ground beef averaged $3.72 per lb in 2018 — about $4.96 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2018
In 2018, ground beef averaged $3.72 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 $3.64 in January to $3.79 in August. Over the year it rose from $3.64 in January to $3.73 in December, a 2.3% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.72 in 2018 is worth about $4.96 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 36% more expensive than it was in 2018. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 81% versus the 2018 average.
2018 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.64 | ▼ 1.8% |
| February | $3.64 | ▲ 0.0% |
| March | $3.66 | ▲ 0.4% |
| April | $3.73 | ▲ 2.0% |
| May | $3.69 | ▼ 1.2% |
| June | $3.73 | ▲ 1.2% |
| July | $3.75 | ▲ 0.4% |
| August | $3.79 | ▲ 1.3% |
| September | $3.74 | ▼ 1.3% |
| October | $3.71 | ▼ 0.8% |
| November | $3.78 | ▲ 1.8% |
| December | $3.73 | ▼ 1.5% |
| 2018 average | $3.72 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2018?
Ground beef averaged $3.72 per lb in 2018, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.72 of 2018 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.72 in 2018 is about $4.96 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2018 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 81% from the 2018 average of $3.72.