How much have restaurant prices gone up since 2020?
+35.7% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of restaurant meals in 2020 costs $135.67 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much restaurant prices have gone up
+3.5% in the last 12 months, +35.7% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+3.5%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+35.7%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+136.0%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19534.07%all prices 3.52%
What $100.00 of restaurant meals in 2020 costs in September 2026
$135.67- Restaurant prices since 2020
- +35.7%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Faster than inflation by
- 5.5 points
Restaurant prices against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Restaurant prices have risen faster than prices overall since 2020.
Restaurant prices by year
| Year | Restaurant prices | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +3.5% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +4.1% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +3.6% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +5.2% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +8.3% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +6.0% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +3.9% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +3.1% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +2.8% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | +2.5% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | +2.3% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +2.6% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +3.0% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +2.1% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +2.5% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +2.9% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +1.3% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +1.9% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | +5.0% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +4.0% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +3.2% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +3.2% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +3.0% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | +2.3% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | +2.3% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | +3.0% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +2.4% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +2.3% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +2.5% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +2.6% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +3.1% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +2.2% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +1.9% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +1.9% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +1.4% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +2.9% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +4.5% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +4.6% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +4.4% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +3.7% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +4.3% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +3.8% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +4.2% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +4.1% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +5.1% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +7.1% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +9.6% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +11.4% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +10.4% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +7.9% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +6.0% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +7.4% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +11.3% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +12.7% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +4.2% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | +4.4% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +6.1% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +7.4% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +5.6% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +4.6% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +5.5% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | +3.2% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +1.4% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +1.8% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +3.0% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +2.3% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | +2.4% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | +3.3% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +2.1% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +3.9% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +2.7% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | +1.4% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | +0.9% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | — | +0.7% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SEFV: Meals and snacks bought away from home, at full-service and fast food restaurants (BLS “food away from home”). Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1973 (+12.7%), 1979 (+11.4%), 1974 (+11.3%).
- The smallest rise was 1954, at +0.9%.
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Restaurant prices inflation since 1953. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/restaurant-prices/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/restaurant-prices/">Restaurant prices inflation since 1953</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for restaurant prices now?
3.5% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did restaurant prices rise the most?
In 1973: +12.7% from December to December. Next were 1979 (+11.4%) and 1974 (+11.3%).
Have restaurant prices risen faster than inflation?
Yes: since 2000 restaurant prices have changed +136.0%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1953 the average is 4.07% a year, against 3.52% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for meals and snacks bought away from home, at full-service and fast food restaurants (BLS “food away from home”) (series CUUR0000SEFV, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1953, refreshed after each monthly release.