Alcohol prices are 36.04% higher in 2026 versus 2009 (a $0.44 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $1.88 in August 2026 for Malt beverages, all types, all sizes, any origin, per 16 oz. (473.2 ml). See observed price history.
Between 2009 and 2026, Alcohol experienced an average inflation rate of 1.83% per year. In other words, alcohol costing $1.21 in the year 2009 would cost $1.65 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.60% during this same period, inflation for alcohol was lower.
In the year 2009: Pricing changed by 2.92%, which is above the average yearly change for alcohol during the 2009-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2009 (-0.36%), inflation for alcohol was much higher.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of alcohol rose 56%, from $1.21 per 16 oz in 2009 to $1.88 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 56% over the same period, so alcohol kept pace with inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for alcohol is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of malt beverages, all types, all sizes, any origin, per 16 oz. (473.2 ml) each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per 16 oz) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $1.86 | $1.86 |
| 2025 | $1.83 | $1.90 |
| 2024 | $1.78 | $1.90 |
| 2023 | $1.74 | $1.92 |
| 2022 | $1.66 | $1.90 |
| 2021 | $1.53 | $1.89 |
| 2020 | $1.48 | $1.92 |
| 2019 | $1.44 | $1.88 |
| 2018 | $1.41 | $1.88 |
| 2017 | $1.39 | $1.90 |
| 2016 | $1.35 | $1.89 |
| 2015 | $1.32 | $1.86 |
| 2014 | $1.28 | $1.81 |
| 2013 | $1.28 | $1.84 |
| 2012 | $1.25 | $1.83 |
| 2011 | $1.24 | $1.85 |
| 2010 | $1.23 | $1.89 |
| 2009 | $1.21 | $1.88 |
| 2008 | $1.16 | $1.81 |
| 2007 | $1.12 | $1.81 |
| 2006 | $1.11 | $1.85 |
| 2005 | $1.09 | $1.86 |
| 2004 | $1.07 | $1.89 |
| 2003 | $1.01 | $1.84 |
| 2002 | $0.99 | $1.85 |
| 2001 | $0.96 | $1.81 |
| 2000 | $0.92 | $1.79 |
| 1999 | $0.88 | $1.77 |
| 1998 | $0.86 | $1.77 |
| 1997 | $0.84 | $1.76 |
| 1996 | $0.84 | $1.78 |
| 1995 | $0.81 | $1.78 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Alcohol, over time, for $1.21 beginning in 2009. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | $1.21 | 2.92% |
| 2010 | $1.22 | 1.15% |
| 2011 | $1.24 | 1.52% |
| 2012 | $1.27 | 1.82% |
| 2013 | $1.29 | 1.66% |
| 2014 | $1.30 | 1.14% |
| 2015 | $1.31 | 0.94% |
| 2016 | $1.33 | 1.25% |
| 2017 | $1.35 | 1.19% |
| 2018 | $1.37 | 1.51% |
| 2019 | $1.38 | 1.37% |
| 2020 | $1.41 | 1.86% |
| 2021 | $1.44 | 2.17% |
| 2022 | $1.50 | 4.24% |
| 2023 | $1.56 | 4.18% |
| 2024 | $1.59 | 1.89% |
| 2025 | $1.62 | 1.72% |
| 2026 | $1.65 | 1.53%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Alcoholic beverages:
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 39.400 | 39.533 | 40.575 | 40.408 | 40.858 | 41.975 | 42.017 | 42.342 | 43.033 | 43.208 | 43.367 | 43.775 | 44.117 | 44.417 | 45.367 | 46.375 | 48.025 | 49.700 | 52.058 | 54.175 | 55.425 | 56.800 | 61.133 | 65.875 | 68.067 | 69.967 | 74.075 | 79.900 | 86.367 | 92.508 | 96.658 | 100.375 | 102.958 | 106.383 | 111.133 | 114.083 | 118.550 | 123.475 | 129.250 | 142.783 | 147.258 | 149.633 | 151.492 | 153.900 | 158.517 | 162.817 | 165.733 | 169.708 | 174.650 | 179.283 | 183.600 | 187.175 | 192.133 | 195.925 | 200.717 | 207.026 | 214.484 | 220.751 | 223.291 | 226.685 | 230.800 | 234.623 | 237.305 | 239.530 | 242.526 | 245.419 | 249.134 | 252.542 | 257.246 | 262.829 | 273.967 | 285.414 | 290.809 | 295.797 | 300.311 |