What things cost in 2024

In 2024, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.45, a dozen large eggs $3.17 and a pound of white bread $1.97 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices overall were 3% higher by 2025, so $1.00 in 2024 bought about as much as $1.03 did in 2025.

By category

In energy, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.45, a gallon of diesel cost $3.83, a gallon of heating oil cost $3.61 and a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost $0.176. In bread, grains and baking, a pound of white bread cost $1.97, a pound of whole wheat bread cost $2.70, a pound of all-purpose flour cost $0.565, a pound of white rice cost $1.03, a pound of spaghetti cost $1.42 and a pound of chocolate chip cookies cost $5.04. In meat and poultry, a pound of ground beef cost $5.39, a pound of sirloin steak cost $11.65, a pound of beef stew meat cost $7.18, a pound of whole chicken cost $2.00, a pound of sliced bacon cost $6.78, a pound of pork chops cost $4.53 and a pound of boneless ham cost $5.61. In eggs and dairy, a dozen large eggs cost $3.17, a gallon of whole milk cost $3.98, a pound of cheddar cheese cost $5.66, a pound of American cheese cost $4.89 and a half gallon of ice cream cost $6.13. Fruit and vegetables: a pound of bananas $0.62, a pound of navel oranges $1.62, a pound of lemons $2.02, a 12-oz pint of strawberries $2.72, a pound of iceberg lettuce $1.59, a pound of tomatoes $2.00 and a pound of white potatoes $0.982. Pantry and snacks: a pound of white sugar $0.997, a pound of dried beans $1.67 and 16 ounces of potato chips $6.45. Coffee, beer and wine in 2024: a pound of ground coffee $6.32, 16 ounces of beer $1.78 and a liter of table wine $13.73.

What changed

Compared with 2023, the biggest increases were for a dozen large eggs (up 13%), a pound of white sugar (up 8%) and a pound of ground beef (up 7%), and the biggest decreases were for a gallon of diesel (down 11%), a gallon of heating oil (down 6%) and a gallon of regular gas (down 6%).

Since 2024, 13 of these 35 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 beef stew meat, a pound of ground beef, a pound of sirloin steak, a kilowatt-hour of electricity, a pound of bananas, 16 ounces of potato chips, a half gallon of ice cream, a pound of sliced bacon, a pound of cheddar cheese, a pound of whole chicken and 16 ounces of beer. The other 22 are cheaper in real terms than in 2024; the biggest real-terms drops were for a pound of tomatoes (10% lower), a pound of spaghetti (9% lower) and a gallon of regular gas (8% lower).

Every item in 2024

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.