Play today's round

Cheddar Cheese Prices by Year, 1984–2026

A pound of cheddar cheese cost $3.05 in January 1984 and $5.98 in Aug 2026, up 96%. Overall U.S. prices rose 229% over the same time, so after inflation it actually got cheaper.

Think you know what things cost? Play today's Inflationdle: guess one real price from the past, six tries, a new item every day.

$0$1.50$3.00$4.50$6.001990200020102020

Cheddar Cheese price history

U.S. city average, per pound. "In Aug 2026 dollars" adjusts each price for inflation with the CPI.

YearU.S. averageIn Aug 2026 dollars
Aug 2026$5.98$5.98
Jan 2026$5.98$6.16
Jan 2025$5.70$6.01
Jan 2024$5.72$6.22
Jan 2023$5.95$6.66
Jan 2022$5.32$6.33
Jan 2021$5.66$7.24
Jan 2020$5.20$6.76
Jan 2019$5.37$7.15
Jan 2018$5.02$6.79
Jan 2017$4.93$6.80
Jan 2016$5.41$7.65
Jan 2015$5.40$7.74
Jan 2014$5.38$7.71
Jan 2013$5.83$8.48
Jan 2012$5.72$8.45
Jan 2011$5.14$7.82
Jan 2010$4.72$7.30
Jan 2009$5.01$7.95
Jan 2008$4.62$7.34
Jan 2007$4.06$6.72
Jan 2006$4.44$7.51
Jan 2005$4.21$7.40
Jan 2004$4.05$7.32
Jan 2003$4.10$7.56
Jan 2002$4.23$8.00
Jan 2001$3.87$7.41
Jan 2000$3.84$7.62
Jan 1999$3.75$7.64
Jan 1998$3.52$7.29
Jan 1997$3.10$6.53
Jan 1996$3.38$7.34
Jan 1995$3.41$7.60
Jan 1994$3.35$7.68
Jan 1993$3.37$7.91
Jan 1992$3.66$8.88
Jan 1991$3.59$8.93
Jan 1989$3.21$8.89
Jan 1988$3.13$9.05
Jan 1987$3.03$9.13
Jan 1986$3.06$9.36
Jan 1985$3.10$9.85
Jan 1984$3.05$10.02

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data, series APU0000710212 (via FRED). Prices are January averages for urban areas; the newest row is the latest month published. Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U, all items (FRED CPIAUCNS).

More groceries prices

Egg · Milk · Bread · Ground Beef · Coffee · Banana · Bacon · Chicken Breast · Butter · Sugar · Ice Cream · Flour

Inflationdle · All price histories · Privacy