Rice, pasta, cornmeal prices are 83.23% higher in 2026 versus 2003 (a $0.77 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $1.37 in August 2026 for Spaghetti and macaroni, per lb. (453.6 gm). See observed price history.
Between 2003 and 2026, Rice, pasta, cornmeal experienced an average inflation rate of 2.67% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, rice, pasta, cornmeal costing $0.93 in the year 2003 would cost $1.70 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.60% during this same period, inflation for rice, pasta, cornmeal was higher.
In the year 2003: Pricing changed by 2.89%, which is above the average yearly change for rice, pasta, cornmeal during the 2003-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2003 (2.27%), inflation for rice, pasta, cornmeal was higher.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of rice, pasta, cornmeal rose 47%, from $0.93 per pound in 2003 to $1.37 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 82% over the same period, so rice, pasta, cornmeal rose more slowly than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for rice, pasta, cornmeal 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 spaghetti and macaroni, per lb. (453.6 gm) 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 pound) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $1.35 | $1.35 |
| 2025 | $1.32 | $1.37 |
| 2024 | $1.42 | $1.51 |
| 2023 | $1.43 | $1.57 |
| 2022 | $1.30 | $1.48 |
| 2021 | $1.18 | $1.46 |
| 2020 | $1.26 | $1.63 |
| 2019 | $1.21 | $1.58 |
| 2018 | $1.19 | $1.58 |
| 2017 | $1.28 | $1.75 |
| 2016 | $1.30 | $1.81 |
| 2015 | $1.32 | $1.86 |
| 2014 | $1.28 | $1.82 |
| 2013 | $1.30 | $1.88 |
| 2012 | $1.32 | $1.93 |
| 2011 | $1.24 | $1.85 |
| 2010 | $1.14 | $1.75 |
| 2009 | $1.16 | $1.82 |
| 2008 | $1.12 | $1.74 |
| 2007 | $0.88 | $1.41 |
| 2006 | $0.86 | $1.43 |
| 2005 | $0.90 | $1.54 |
| 2004 | $0.95 | $1.68 |
| 2003 | $0.93 | $1.70 |
| 2002 | $0.92 | $1.71 |
| 2001 | $0.91 | $1.72 |
| 2000 | $0.86 | $1.68 |
| 1999 | $0.88 | $1.77 |
| 1998 | $0.88 | $1.81 |
| 1997 | $0.87 | $1.82 |
| 1996 | $0.86 | $1.85 |
| 1995 | $0.86 | $1.89 |
| 1994 | $0.87 | $1.96 |
| 1993 | $0.83 | $1.91 |
| 1992 | $0.86 | $2.05 |
| 1991 | $0.87 | $2.13 |
| 1990 | $0.85 | $2.19 |
| 1989 | $0.87 | $2.34 |
| 1988 | $0.80 | $2.27 |
| 1987 | $0.73 | $2.16 |
| 1986 | $0.74 | $2.26 |
| 1985 | $0.74 | $2.30 |
| 1984 | $0.73 | $2.37 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Rice, pasta, cornmeal, over time, for $0.93 beginning in 2003. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | $0.93 | 2.89% |
| 2004 | $0.95 | 2.58% |
| 2005 | $0.96 | 0.48% |
| 2006 | $0.99 | 3.69% |
| 2007 | $1.05 | 5.88% |
| 2008 | $1.27 | 20.58% |
| 2009 | $1.33 | 5.09% |
| 2010 | $1.30 | -2.39% |
| 2011 | $1.36 | 4.31% |
| 2012 | $1.39 | 2.26% |
| 2013 | $1.39 | 0.02% |
| 2014 | $1.38 | -0.54% |
| 2015 | $1.40 | 1.48% |
| 2016 | $1.39 | -1.05% |
| 2017 | $1.36 | -2.03% |
| 2018 | $1.37 | 0.84% |
| 2019 | $1.38 | 0.76% |
| 2020 | $1.41 | 2.49% |
| 2021 | $1.42 | 0.64% |
| 2022 | $1.61 | 12.81% |
| 2023 | $1.71 | 6.21% |
| 2024 | $1.69 | -0.97% |
| 2025 | $1.67 | -1.17% |
| 2026 | $1.70 | 2.05%* |
* 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 Rice, pasta, cornmeal:
| Year | 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 | 67.500 | 74.133 | 78.042 | 90.892 | 101.267 | 100.683 | 98.533 | 100.783 | 102.067 | 102.233 | 101.683 | 114.350 | 119.958 | 121.967 | 126.533 | 128.275 | 129.717 | 139.650 | 140.175 | 144.175 | 148.750 | 150.542 | 151.875 | 150.725 | 154.642 | 155.833 | 160.342 | 164.475 | 165.258 | 171.350 | 181.421 | 218.763 | 229.900 | 224.406 | 234.088 | 239.384 | 239.427 | 238.133 | 241.647 | 239.110 | 234.257 | 236.233 | 238.024 | 243.947 | 245.514 | 276.958 | 294.157 | 291.312 | 287.896 | 293.789 |