If there's one thing everybody needs, it's food. And when we're browsing the aisles at a supermarket, an important criteria is price. In fact, according to Pew, six in 10 Americans say that when it comes to shopping, costs are a high priority in their food choices.
Bored Panda decided to see how food prices have changed in the last 40 or so years. So, we've compiled a comparison list of the most common groceries regarding how much they cost in the '80s and how much they cost now.
A little heads up: we present the prices in nominal terms and included the adjusted-to-inflation prices in the descriptions.
#21 Large Eggs (Per Dozen) - $0.74 vs. $3.99 – $5.49
Humans have consumed eggs for millions of years, with eggs from chickens being the most popular. They are widely used in both savory and sweet dishes and are an essential part of most baking processes. A dozen large eggs cost roughly $3.99 to $5.49 in 2025, compared to about $0.74 in the 1980s. Adjusted for inflation, $0.74 would be about $2.88 today—so eggs are more expensive now than they were in the 1980s.
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5points
#22 Bananas (Per Pound) - $0.33 vs. $0.63
Bananas were first domesticated over 10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, the classic yellow bananas aren’t the only bananas available on the market. They also come in red, black, and even blue! In the 80s, a pound of bananas sold for around $0.33 compared to $0.63 today. Considering inflation, $0.33 in the 1980s is equivalent to $1.28 today—so technically you’re getting twice the amount of bananas for less now.
5points
#23 Cheese Puffs (Bag) - $0.89 vs. $3.00–$4.00 (Estimated Retail)
Cheese Puffs were another invention that happened by chance in the early 1930s. A factory worker’s culinary experiment turned what was meant to feed cows into one of the world’s tastiest snacks. The estimated retail price of a bag in the 80s was $0.89, and now the same bag retails for around $3.00 to $4.00. Considering the rate of inflation over the years, the 1980 price, $0.89, is around $3.46 in today’s money. Meaning, cheese puffs are roughly the same price now as they were back then.
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4points
#24 Kellogg's Corn Flakes (24 Oz) - $1.99 vs. $5.49
Invented by accident in the late 1800s, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are now one of the most popular breakfast cereals in the world. Kellogg's was also the first cereal to include small prizes in its boxes. The tasty golden flakes cost about $1.99 per box in the 80s and now cost around $5.49. Accounting for inflation, $1.99 is about $7.75 today, which means that Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are more affordable now than they were in the 80s.
2points