How much did sugar cost in 1981?
Sugar averaged $0.40 per lb in 1981 — about $1.47 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000715211.
In 1981, sugar averaged $0.40 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 $0.33 in December to $0.54 in January. Over the year it fell from $0.54 in January to $0.33 in December, a 39.6% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.40 in 1981 is worth about $1.47 in 2026 dollars. Today sugar averages $1.03 per lb, so in real terms it is 30% cheaper than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 159% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.54 | ▼ 4.8% |
| February | $0.52 | ▼ 2.8% |
| March | $0.49 | ▼ 6.1% |
| April | $0.45 | ▼ 9.2% |
| May | $0.40 | ▼ 11.4% |
| June | $0.37 | ▼ 6.6% |
| July | $0.36 | ▼ 3.8% |
| August | $0.35 | ▼ 1.1% |
| September | $0.35 | ▼ 1.4% |
| October | $0.34 | ▼ 3.2% |
| November | $0.33 | ▼ 2.4% |
| December | $0.33 | ▼ 0.6% |
| 1981 average | $0.40 |
FAQ
What was the average price of sugar in 1981?
Sugar averaged $0.40 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.40 of 1981 sugar worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.40 in 1981 is about $1.47 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of sugar compare to now?
Sugar now averages $1.03 per lb, up 159% from the 1981 average of $0.40.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Sugar price in 1981 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1981/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000715211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1981/">Sugar price in 1981 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000715211; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Sugar price in 1981 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1981/