What things cost in 2015

In 2015, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.45, a dozen large eggs $2.47 and a pound of white bread $1.44 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices overall were 36% higher by 2025, so $1.00 in 2015 bought about as much as $1.36 did in 2025.

By category

In energy, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.45, a gallon of diesel cost $2.74, a gallon of heating oil cost $2.60 and a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost $0.138. In bread, grains and baking, a pound of white bread cost $1.44, a pound of whole wheat bread cost $1.99, a pound of all-purpose flour cost $0.517, a pound of white rice cost $0.685, a pound of spaghetti cost $1.32 and a pound of chocolate chip cookies cost $3.35. Meat and poultry in 2015: a pound of ground beef $4.17, a pound of sirloin steak $8.57, a pound of beef stew meat $5.60, a pound of whole chicken $1.49, a pound of frozen whole turkey $1.51, a pound of sliced bacon $5.45, a pound of pork chops $4.11, a pound of boneless ham $4.19 and a pound of bologna $2.82. In eggs and dairy, a dozen large eggs cost $2.47, a gallon of whole milk cost $3.42, a pound of cheddar cheese cost $5.38, a pound of American cheese cost $4.46 and a half gallon of ice cream cost $4.74. Fruit and vegetables in 2015: a pound of bananas $0.583, a pound of navel oranges $1.30, a pound of lemons $1.98, a 12-oz pint of strawberries $2.22, a pound of seedless grapes $2.59, a pound of iceberg lettuce $1.16, a pound of tomatoes $1.84, a pound of white potatoes $0.65 and a pound of broccoli $1.79. Pantry and snacks: a pound of white sugar $0.654, a pound of dried beans $1.49, a pound of margarine $1.93 and 16 ounces of potato chips $4.41. Coffee, beer and wine in 2015: a pound of ground coffee $4.72, 16 ounces of beer $1.32 and a liter of table wine $12.25.

What changed

Compared with 2014, the biggest increases were for a dozen large eggs (up 22%), a pound of sirloin steak (up 11%) and a pound of iceberg lettuce (up 10%), and the biggest decreases were for a gallon of heating oil (down 30%), a gallon of diesel (down 28%) and a gallon of regular gas (down 27%).

Since 2015, 15 of these 40 items have risen faster than overall inflation, so they cost more today even after adjusting for it: a pound of ground coffee, a dozen large eggs, a pound of white sugar, a pound of white rice, 16 ounces of potato chips, a pound of sirloin steak, a pound of chocolate chip cookies, a pound of white potatoes, a pound of ground beef, a pound of beef stew meat, a pound of broccoli, a gallon of heating oil, 16 ounces of beer, a pound of whole chicken and a pound of iceberg lettuce. The other 25 are cheaper in real terms than in 2015; the biggest real-terms drops were for a pound of spaghetti (26% lower), a pound of tomatoes (26% lower) and a pound of lemons (26% lower). Some of these series end before 2025; for those, the comparison uses the last year the Bureau published.

Every item in 2015

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.