What things cost in 2010

In 2010, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.79, a dozen large eggs $1.66 and a pound of white bread $1.37 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices overall were 48% higher by 2025, so $1.00 in 2010 bought about as much as $1.48 did in 2025.

By category

In energy, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.79, a gallon of diesel cost $3.02, a gallon of heating oil cost $2.93 and a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost $0.128. In bread, grains and baking, a pound of white bread cost $1.37, a pound of whole wheat bread cost $1.78, a pound of all-purpose flour cost $0.477, a pound of white rice cost $0.741, a pound of spaghetti cost $1.14 and a pound of chocolate chip cookies cost $3.25. Meat and poultry: a pound of ground beef $2.37, a pound of sirloin steak $5.83, a pound of beef stew meat $3.89, a pound of whole chicken $1.26, a pound of frozen whole turkey $1.48, a pound of sliced bacon $4.11, a pound of pork chops $3.45, a pound of boneless ham $3.39 and a pound of bologna $3.22. Eggs and dairy: a dozen large eggs $1.66, a gallon of whole milk $3.26, a pound of cheddar cheese $4.71, a pound of American cheese $3.91 and a half gallon of ice cream $4.46. Fruit and vegetables: a pound of bananas $0.58, a pound of navel oranges $1.06, a pound of lemons $1.63, a 12-oz pint of strawberries $2.19, a pound of seedless grapes $2.18, a pound of iceberg lettuce $0.875, a pound of tomatoes $1.69, a pound of white potatoes $0.577 and a pound of broccoli $1.58. Pantry and snacks: a pound of white sugar $0.629, a pound of dried beans $1.33, a pound of margarine $1.55 and 16 ounces of potato chips $4.64. Coffee, beer and wine in 2010: a pound of ground coffee $3.91, 16 ounces of beer $1.23 and a liter of table wine $9.65.

What changed

Compared with 2009, the biggest increases were for a gallon of diesel (up 19%), a gallon of regular gas (up 19%) and a gallon of heating oil (up 17%), and the biggest decreases were for a pound of white potatoes (down 7%), a pound of whole wheat bread (down 5%) and a pound of bananas (down 5%).

Since 2010, 16 of these 40 items have risen faster than overall inflation, so they cost more today even after adjusting for it: a pound of ground beef, a dozen large eggs, a pound of sirloin steak, a pound of beef stew meat, a pound of ground coffee, a pound of iceberg lettuce, a pound of sliced bacon, a pound of white potatoes, a pound of whole chicken, a pound of white sugar, a pound of boneless ham, a pound of broccoli, a pound of chocolate chip cookies, a pound of whole wheat bread, a pound of navel oranges and 16 ounces of beer. The other 24 are cheaper in real terms than in 2010; the biggest real-terms drops were for a pound of bologna (28% lower), a pound of tomatoes (26% lower) and a pound of bananas (24% lower). Some of these series end before 2025; for those, the comparison uses the last year the Bureau published.

Every item in 2010

Average prices are U.S. city averages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (average price data), averaged over each calendar year. A year is included only when the Bureau published at least nine months of prices for it. Values in 2025 dollars use the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) annual average. See how Sticker Shock builds its data. Figures may contain errors and are not financial advice.