Bacon and eggs is a classic American breakfast. We wake up many mornings craving the salty tang of bacon and the comforting taste of eggs. But if you have ventured to a grocery store lately, you have no doubt noticed the price of your favorite morning meal has risen dramatically. (Considering bacon and eggs are staples of brunch, the cost of your restaurant brunch has gone up, too. See the 25 best cities for brunch lovers.)
The most recent consumer price index estimates the price of bacon rose 18.2% between March 2021 and March of this year. In the same period, the cost of eggs shot up 11.2%.
Perhaps what makes the price hike for bacon and eggs so shocking is that for most of the 20th century, the cost of those items held pretty much steady. It wasn’t until 1973 that a pound of bacon hit the $1 mark, then breached it. Meanwhile, a dozen eggs cost less than a dollar until 1984. After that year, the price fluctuated to under a dollar or a bit over a dollar until 2002, when the price leveled at a dollar or more. Those prices, it should be noted, are not inflated-adjusted.
To determine the cost of bacon and eggs the year you were born, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the average price of a pound of sliced bacon and a dozen large grade A eggs in U.S. cities for every year from 1939 to 2021. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bacon prices were adjusted using the annual consumer price index for bacon and related products, and egg prices were adjusted using the consumer price index for eggs. Historical prices of bacon and eggs were adjusted for overall inflation using the annual consumer price index for all items.
It is not only inflation that has boosted bacon prices during the pandemic years. American consumers have demanded more pork products. At the same time, the cost of producing those products has risen. Same with eggs. The price of feeding the chickens has risen, while transporting the eggs to stores has increased, as well. There was also a spike in demand for eggs during the pandemic as more people cooked at home.
Still, Americans love their bacon and eggs. So it is to be seen if they will forgo their cherished breakfast just because of a high price tag. (Not everything has gone up in price recently. For example, the price of this household item is plunging.)
Click here to see the price of bacon and eggs the year you were born
Source: General Photographic Agency / Getty Images
1939
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.26
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.01
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.06
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.26
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Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
1940
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.22
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.35
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.06
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.10
Source: George W. Hales / Fox Photos / Getty Images
1941
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.28
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.22
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.07
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.32
Source: National Archives / Getty Images
1942
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.32
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.40
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.08
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.36
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Fred Morley / Fox Photos / Getty Images
1943
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.34
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.33
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.09
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.34
Source: Express / Express / Getty Images
1944
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.32
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.97
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.08
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.25
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1945
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.32
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.89
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.08
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.23
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Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1946
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.43
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.91
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.11
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.49
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1947
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.62
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $7.53
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.16
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.90
Source: Three Lions / Getty Images
1948
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.61
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.88
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.15
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.74
Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
1949
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.53
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.04
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.52
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Source: George Konig / Keystone Features / Getty Images
1950
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.51
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.71
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.44
Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
1951
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.53
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.57
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.41
Source: Housewife / Getty Images
1952
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.52
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.27
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.33
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Alan Meek / Express / Getty Images
1953
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.63
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.38
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.16
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.61
Source: Central Press / Getty Images
1954
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.65
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.57
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.16
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.66
Source: Carsten / Three Lions / Getty Images
1955
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.53
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.31
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.34
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Source: Terry Fincher / Keystone / Getty Images
1956
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.46
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.63
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.12
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.17
Source: Chaloner Woods / Getty Images
1957
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.60
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.76
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.15
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.45
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1958
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.64
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.99
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.16
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.51
Source: Reg Speller / Fox Photos / Getty Images
1959
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.53
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.98
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.26
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Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1960
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.53
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.81
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.13
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.21
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
1961
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.57
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.19
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.14
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.31
Source: Chaloner Woods / Getty Images
1962
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.57
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.09
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.14
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.28
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1963
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.55
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.87
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.14
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.23
Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images
1964
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.55
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.82
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.14
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.22
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1965
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.67
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.79
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.17
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.46
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Source: Chris Ware / Keystone Features / Getty Images
1966
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.79
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.62
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.20
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.67
Source: Express / Express / Getty Images
1967
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.70
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.64
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.18
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.42
Source: Getty Images
1968
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.68
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.27
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.17
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.33
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1969
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.73
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.41
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.18
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.36
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Source: Paramount Pictures / Courtesy of Getty Images
1970
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.79
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.53
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.20
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.39
Source: Dwayne Bey / Getty Images
1971
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.67
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.49
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.17
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.13
Source: Susan Schiff Faludi / Three Lions / Getty Images
1972
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $0.81
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.27
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.20
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.33
Source: Express Newspapers / Getty Images
1973
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.12
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.84
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.28
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.72
Source: John Downing / Express / Getty Images
1974
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.11
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.13
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.28
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.54
Source: Express Newspapers / Getty Images
1975
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.50
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $7.55
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.38
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.90
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Source: Fortgens Photography / Getty Images
1976
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.46
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.96
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.37
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.76
Source: Fortgens Photography / Getty Images
1977
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.34
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.00
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.34
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.51
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
1978
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.54
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.41
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.39
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.62
Source: yellowsarah / Getty Images
1979
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.43
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.34
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.36
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.35
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Source: M. Fresco / Evening Standard / Getty Images
1980
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.46
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.57
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.84
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.15
Source: Getty Images
1981
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.67
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.69
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.90
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.18
Source: cws_design / Getty Images
1982
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.05
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.42
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.87
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.37
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
1983
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.94
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.14
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.89
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.30
Source: bgwalker / Getty Images
1984
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.86
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.82
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.00
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.22
Source: cws_design / Getty Images
1985
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.94
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.82
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.80
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.22
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Source: Getty Images
1986
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.08
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.07
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.87
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.28
Source: Getty Images
1987
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.14
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.16
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.78
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.30
Source: Tony Duffy / Allsport / Getty Images
1988
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.88
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.37
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.79
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.10
Source: Tom Kelley Archive / Getty Images
1989
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.77
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.95
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.00
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.00
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Source: GomezDavid / Getty Images
1990
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.12
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.44
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.01
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.12
Source: Comstock / Getty Images
1991
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.22
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.50
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.99
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.14
Source: Jupiterimages / Getty Images
1992
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.92
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.82
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.86
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $0.96
Source: Comstock / Getty Images
1993
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.93
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.93
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.91
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $0.99
Source: Comstock / Getty Images
1994
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.99
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.08
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.86
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.03
Source: yellowsarah / Getty Images
1995
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $1.99
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.03
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.92
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.02
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Source: Comstock / Getty Images
1996
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.47
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.86
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.11
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.23
Source: LindaYolanda / Getty Images
1997
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.68
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.23
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.06
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.32
Source: Shanina / Getty Images
1998
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.54
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.77
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.04
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.20
Source: Shanina / Getty Images
1999
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $2.55
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.66
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.96
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.17
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Source: landonarnold / Getty Images
2000
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.03
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.28
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.91
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.33
Source: Westersoe / Getty Images
2001
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.25
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.34
> Price of a dozen eggs: $0.93
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.35
Source: cws_design / Getty Images
2002
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.24
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.30
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.03
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.34
Source: Amax Photo / Getty Images
2003
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.20
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.47
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.24
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.38
Source: Wolfsburg1984 / Getty Images
2004
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.38
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.75
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.34
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.45
Source: Altinosmanaj / Getty Images
2005
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.39
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.50
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.22
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.39
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Source: LSOphoto / Getty Images
2006
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.44
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.41
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.31
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.36
Source: lechatnoir / Getty Images
2007
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.66
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.46
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.68
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.38
Source: deucee_ / Getty Images
2008
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.66
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.22
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.99
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.32
Source: JasonDoiy / Getty Images
2009
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $3.61
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.15
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.66
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.30
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Source: Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images
2010
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.11
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.45
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.66
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.37
Source: Koh Sze Kiat / Getty Images
2011
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.63
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.99
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.77
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.51
Source: DisobeyArt / Getty Images
2012
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $4.56
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.97
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.84
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.51
Source: Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images
2013
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.29
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.24
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.91
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.57
Source: Prostock-Studio / Getty Images
2014
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.78
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.48
> Price of a dozen eggs: $2.02
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.63
Source: Alex Brandon-Pool / Getty Images
2015
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.45
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.07
> Price of a dozen eggs: $2.47
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.53
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Source: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
2016
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.42
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.03
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.68
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.52
Source: Igor Alecsander / Getty Images
2017
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.77
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.31
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.47
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.59
Source: Anchiy / Getty Images
2018
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.47
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.05
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.74
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.53
Source: PIKSEL / Getty Images
2019
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.61
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.06
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.40
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.53
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Source: Geber86 / Getty Images
2020
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $5.58
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.14
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.51
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.55
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Fly View Productions / Getty Images
2021
> Price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.64
> Inflation-adjusted price of 1 pound of bacon: $6.64
> Price of a dozen eggs: $1.67
> Inflation-adjusted price of a dozen eggs: $1.67
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