Tomato prices are 100.96% higher in 2026 versus 1996 (a $1.22 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $1.98 in August 2026 for Tomatoes, field grown, per lb. (453.6 gm). See observed price history.
Between 1996 and 2026, Tomatoes experienced an average inflation rate of 2.35% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, tomatoes costing $1.21 in the year 1996 would cost $2.43 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.53% during this same period, inflation for tomatoes was lower.
In the year 1996: Pricing changed by 5.28%, which is above the average yearly change for tomatoes during the 1996-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1996 (2.93%), inflation for tomatoes was higher.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of tomatoes rose 63%, from $1.21 per pound in 1996 to $1.98 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 113% over the same period, so tomatoes 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 tomatoes 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 tomatoes, field grown, 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) | $2.16 | $2.16 |
| 2025 | $1.84 | $1.91 |
| 2024 | $2.00 | $2.13 |
| 2023 | $1.92 | $2.11 |
| 2022 | $1.91 | $2.19 |
| 2021 | $1.85 | $2.29 |
| 2020 | $1.96 | $2.54 |
| 2019 | $1.93 | $2.53 |
| 2018 | $1.92 | $2.56 |
| 2017 | $1.93 | $2.64 |
| 2016 | $1.93 | $2.69 |
| 2015 | $1.84 | $2.60 |
| 2014 | $1.71 | $2.42 |
| 2013 | $1.53 | $2.20 |
| 2012 | $1.46 | $2.13 |
| 2011 | $1.67 | $2.48 |
| 2010 | $1.69 | $2.60 |
| 2009 | $1.62 | $2.53 |
| 2008 | $1.74 | $2.71 |
| 2007 | $1.65 | $2.66 |
| 2006 | $1.73 | $2.88 |
| 2005 | $1.61 | $2.76 |
| 2004 | $1.61 | $2.85 |
| 2003 | $1.51 | $2.75 |
| 2002 | $1.32 | $2.47 |
| 2001 | $1.32 | $2.50 |
| 2000 | $1.38 | $2.69 |
| 1999 | $1.37 | $2.75 |
| 1998 | $1.48 | $3.03 |
| 1997 | $1.29 | $2.70 |
| 1996 | $1.21 | $2.58 |
| 1995 | $1.16 | $2.54 |
| 1994 | $1.09 | $2.45 |
| 1993 | $1.08 | $2.51 |
| 1992 | $1.09 | $2.61 |
| 1991 | $1.01 | $2.48 |
| 1990 | $1.08 | $2.77 |
| 1989 | $0.91 | $2.46 |
| 1988 | $0.83 | $2.36 |
| 1987 | $0.82 | $2.43 |
| 1986 | $0.82 | $2.52 |
| 1985 | $0.78 | $2.42 |
| 1984 | $0.81 | $2.60 |
| 1983 | $0.78 | $2.64 |
| 1982 | $0.74 | $2.56 |
| 1981 | $0.77 | $2.84 |
| 1980 | $0.67 | $2.74 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Tomatoes, over time, for $1.21 beginning in 1996. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | $1.21 | 5.28% |
| 1997 | $1.30 | 7.76% |
| 1998 | $1.46 | 11.97% |
| 1999 | $1.37 | -6.29% |
| 2000 | $1.43 | 4.71% |
| 2001 | $1.53 | 6.53% |
| 2002 | $1.53 | 0.40% |
| 2003 | $1.65 | 7.99% |
| 2004 | $1.81 | 9.50% |
| 2005 | $1.82 | 0.68% |
| 2006 | $1.97 | 8.19% |
| 2007 | $1.87 | -5.20% |
| 2008 | $2.03 | 8.54% |
| 2009 | $1.86 | -8.61% |
| 2010 | $1.97 | 6.32% |
| 2011 | $2.07 | 4.99% |
| 2012 | $1.85 | -10.86% |
| 2013 | $1.94 | 5.14% |
| 2014 | $1.99 | 2.34% |
| 2015 | $2.01 | 1.17% |
| 2016 | $2.04 | 1.44% |
| 2017 | $1.98 | -2.74% |
| 2018 | $2.05 | 3.20% |
| 2019 | $2.01 | -1.58% |
| 2020 | $2.15 | 6.76% |
| 2021 | $2.14 | -0.38% |
| 2022 | $2.17 | 1.51% |
| 2023 | $2.15 | -0.94% |
| 2024 | $2.21 | 2.44% |
| 2025 | $2.12 | -4.04% |
| 2026 | $2.43 | 14.84%* |
* 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 Tomatoes:
| Year | 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 | 30.617 | 29.225 | 30.417 | 32.542 | 32.425 | 35.250 | 32.517 | 34.717 | 31.825 | 32.700 | 35.375 | 36.492 | 37.675 | 38.392 | 38.833 | 44.392 | 46.117 | 46.267 | 51.208 | 51.508 | 52.983 | 60.358 | 63.633 | 63.500 | 74.892 | 72.533 | 80.492 | 81.850 | 94.650 | 93.525 | 100.800 | 105.683 | 103.633 | 111.325 | 116.775 | 123.083 | 136.217 | 160.817 | 153.100 | 171.758 | 168.008 | 173.467 | 188.283 | 198.233 | 213.608 | 239.167 | 224.117 | 234.667 | 249.983 | 250.975 | 271.025 | 296.783 | 298.800 | 323.258 | 306.454 | 332.622 | 303.981 | 323.189 | 339.319 | 302.484 | 318.032 | 325.488 | 329.290 | 334.027 | 324.860 | 335.267 | 329.980 | 352.287 | 350.935 | 356.219 | 352.878 | 361.492 | 346.889 | 398.374 |