How much did milk cost in 1997?
Milk averaged $2.61 per gal in 1997 — about $5.45 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per gal) · 1997
In 1997, milk averaged $2.61 per gal 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 $2.53 in September to $2.68 in November. Over the year it was little changed from $2.68 in January to $2.67 in December.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.61 in 1997 is worth about $5.45 in 2026 dollars. Today milk averages $4.22 per gal, so in real terms it is 23% cheaper than it was in 1997. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 62% versus the 1997 average.
1997 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.68 | ▼ 1.8% |
| February | $2.63 | ▼ 1.7% |
| March | $2.63 | — 0.0% |
| April | $2.61 | ▼ 1.0% |
| May | $2.61 | ▲ 0.1% |
| June | $2.59 | ▼ 0.8% |
| July | $2.56 | ▼ 1.2% |
| August | $2.55 | ▼ 0.2% |
| September | $2.53 | ▼ 0.7% |
| October | $2.64 | ▲ 4.0% |
| November | $2.68 | ▲ 1.6% |
| December | $2.67 | ▼ 0.2% |
| 1997 average | $2.61 |
FAQ
What was the average price of milk in 1997?
Milk averaged $2.61 per gal in 1997, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.61 of 1997 milk worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.61 in 1997 is about $5.45 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1997 price of milk compare to now?
Milk now averages $4.22 per gal, up 62% from the 1997 average of $2.61.