THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did milk cost in 2002?

Milk averaged $2.76 per gal in 2002 — about $5.14 in 2026 dollars.

Monthly average price (USD per gal) · 2002

$2.67$2.71$2.75$2.79$2.83 $2.68 200220022002200220022002

In 2002, milk averaged $2.76 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 $2.68 in December to $2.82 in March. Over the year it fell from $2.81 in January to $2.68 in December, a 4.6% decline.

Adjusted for inflation, $2.76 in 2002 is worth about $5.14 in 2026 dollars. Today milk averages $4.22 per gal, so in real terms it is 18% cheaper than it was in 2002. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 53% versus the 2002 average.

2002 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $2.81 ▼ 2.9%
February $2.81 ▼ 0.2%
March $2.82 ▲ 0.3%
April $2.78 ▼ 1.3%
May $2.78 ▲ 0.1%
June $2.77 ▼ 0.5%
July $2.75 ▼ 0.8%
August $2.72 ▼ 1.0%
September $2.73 ▲ 0.3%
October $2.73 ▼ 0.0%
November $2.72 ▼ 0.3%
December $2.68 ▼ 1.4%
2002 average$2.76

FAQ

What was the average price of milk in 2002?

Milk averaged $2.76 per gal in 2002, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $2.76 of 2002 milk worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.76 in 2002 is about $5.14 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 2002 price of milk compare to now?

Milk now averages $4.22 per gal, up 53% from the 2002 average of $2.76.