How much did ground beef cost in 2021?
Ground beef averaged $4.33 per lb in 2021 — about $5.36 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2021
In 2021, ground beef averaged $4.33 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 $3.97 in January to $4.72 in October. Over the year it rose from $3.97 in January to $4.60 in December, a 16.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $4.33 in 2021 is worth about $5.36 in 2026 dollars. Today ground beef averages $6.75 per lb, so in real terms it is 26% more expensive than it was in 2021. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 56% versus the 2021 average.
2021 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.97 | ▲ 0.3% |
| February | $3.99 | ▲ 0.6% |
| March | $4.04 | ▲ 1.4% |
| April | $4.10 | ▲ 1.3% |
| May | $4.10 | ▲ 0.1% |
| June | $4.36 | ▲ 6.2% |
| July | $4.39 | ▲ 0.7% |
| August | $4.47 | ▲ 1.8% |
| September | $4.50 | ▲ 0.8% |
| October | $4.72 | ▲ 4.8% |
| November | $4.72 | ▼ 0.1% |
| December | $4.60 | ▼ 2.4% |
| 2021 average | $4.33 |
FAQ
What was the average price of ground beef in 2021?
Ground beef averaged $4.33 per lb in 2021, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $4.33 of 2021 ground beef worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $4.33 in 2021 is about $5.36 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 2021 price of ground beef compare to now?
Ground beef now averages $6.75 per lb, up 56% from the 2021 average of $4.33.