What things cost in 2021

In 2021, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.05, a dozen large eggs $1.67 and a pound of white bread $1.52 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices overall were 19% higher by 2025, so $1.00 in 2021 bought about as much as $1.19 did in 2025.

By category

Energy in 2021: a gallon of regular gas $3.05, a gallon of diesel $3.26, a gallon of heating oil $3.01 and a kilowatt-hour of electricity $0.141. Bread, grains and baking in 2021: a pound of white bread $1.52, a pound of whole wheat bread $2.13, a pound of all-purpose flour $0.404, a pound of white rice $0.794, a pound of spaghetti $1.18 and a pound of chocolate chip cookies $3.96. In meat and poultry, a pound of ground beef cost $4.33, a pound of sirloin steak cost $10.31, a pound of beef stew meat cost $6.52, a pound of whole chicken cost $1.53, a pound of sliced bacon cost $6.64, a pound of pork chops cost $4.22, a pound of boneless ham cost $4.83 and a pound of hot dogs cost $4.01. In eggs and dairy, a dozen large eggs cost $1.67, a gallon of whole milk cost $3.54, a pound of cheddar cheese cost $5.44, a pound of American cheese cost $4.04 and a half gallon of ice cream cost $4.89. Fruit and vegetables in 2021: a pound of bananas $0.60, a pound of navel oranges $1.36, a 12-oz pint of strawberries $2.67, a pound of tomatoes $1.85 and a pound of white potatoes $0.78. In pantry and snacks, a pound of white sugar cost $0.684, a pound of dried beans cost $1.45 and 16 ounces of potato chips cost $5.08. Coffee, beer and wine: a pound of ground coffee $4.70, 16 ounces of beer $1.53 and a liter of table wine $13.19.

What changed

Compared with 2020, the biggest increases were for a gallon of regular gas (up 41%), a gallon of heating oil (up 31%) and a gallon of diesel (up 24%), and the biggest decreases were for a pound of all-purpose flour (down 10%), a pound of spaghetti (down 6%) and a pound of tomatoes (down 6%).

Since 2021, 19 of these 33 items have risen faster than overall inflation, so they cost more today even after adjusting for it: a dozen large eggs, a pound of ground coffee, a pound of white sugar, a pound of ground beef, a pound of all-purpose flour, a pound of whole chicken, a pound of white rice, 16 ounces of potato chips, a kilowatt-hour of electricity, a half gallon of ice cream, a pound of chocolate chip cookies, a pound of whole wheat bread, a pound of sirloin steak, a pound of beef stew meat, a pound of white potatoes, a pound of white bread, a pound of American cheese, a gallon of heating oil and 16 ounces of beer. The other 14 are cheaper in real terms than in 2021; the biggest real-terms drops were for a 12-oz pint of strawberries (16% lower), a pound of tomatoes (16% lower) and a pound of sliced bacon (11% lower).

Every item in 2021

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.