Potato Prices by Year, 1988–2026
A pound of white potatoes cost $0.244 in January 1988 and $0.976 in Aug 2026, up 300%. Overall U.S. prices rose 190% over the same time, so it got more expensive even after inflation.
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Potato price history
U.S. city average, per pound. "In Aug 2026 dollars" adjusts each price for inflation with the CPI.
| Year | U.S. average | In Aug 2026 dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | $0.976 | $0.98 |
| Jan 2026 | $0.871 | $0.90 |
| Jan 2025 | $0.973 | $1.03 |
| Jan 2024 | $0.978 | $1.06 |
| Jan 2023 | $0.953 | $1.07 |
| Jan 2022 | $0.792 | $0.94 |
| Jan 2021 | $0.782 | $1.00 |
| Jan 2020 | $0.802 | $1.04 |
| Jan 2019 | $0.749 | $1.00 |
| Jan 2018 | $0.730 | $0.99 |
| Jan 2017 | $0.696 | $0.96 |
| Jan 2016 | $0.659 | $0.93 |
| Jan 2015 | $0.668 | $0.96 |
| Jan 2014 | $0.688 | $0.99 |
| Jan 2013 | $0.627 | $0.91 |
| Jan 2012 | $0.676 | $1.00 |
| Jan 2011 | $0.603 | $0.92 |
| Jan 2010 | $0.563 | $0.87 |
| Jan 2009 | $0.676 | $1.07 |
| Jan 2008 | $0.525 | $0.83 |
| Jan 2007 | $0.517 | $0.86 |
| Jan 2006 | $0.504 | $0.85 |
| Jan 2005 | $0.458 | $0.80 |
| Jan 2004 | $0.457 | $0.83 |
| Jan 2003 | $0.483 | $0.89 |
| Jan 2002 | $0.426 | $0.81 |
| Jan 2001 | $0.355 | $0.68 |
| Jan 2000 | $0.392 | $0.78 |
| Jan 1999 | $0.381 | $0.78 |
| Jan 1998 | $0.362 | $0.75 |
| Jan 1997 | $0.335 | $0.71 |
| Jan 1996 | $0.385 | $0.84 |
| Jan 1995 | $0.339 | $0.76 |
| Jan 1994 | $0.369 | $0.85 |
| Jan 1993 | $0.311 | $0.73 |
| Jan 1992 | $0.286 | $0.69 |
| Jan 1991 | $0.332 | $0.83 |
| Jan 1990 | $0.333 | $0.88 |
| Jan 1989 | $0.294 | $0.81 |
| Jan 1988 | $0.244 | $0.71 |
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Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data, series APU0000712112 (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).
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