Grocery prices then vs. now: A 1997 receipt tells the story

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Do you remember 1997?

[00:00:02]Well, unfortunately, I wasn't born yet, but I'm told it was a pretty iconic year. Netflix launched, Titanic hit theaters, and apparently, groceries were [music] way cheaper, too. I was thrifting, and I found this old receipt from 1997.

[00:00:16]27 grocery items all under $40. What would it cost today? Well, let's go find out.

[00:00:25]From yogurts to produce to meat, this receipt paints a pretty normal picture of a 1990s grocery run. But the prices?

[00:00:33]That's where things get interesting.

[00:00:36]English muffins, 89 cents. Mayonnaise, $1.79.

[00:00:40]Today, a jar of off-brand mayo is pushing $7. This mystery shopper from the past bought nine yogurts for about $3. Today, those same yogurts total closer to eight. Using my handy-dandy list, I kept shopping, but first I wanted to see if this vintage receipt would give people price envy. I remember going to the grocery store, and it was maybe like $5 a bag. I met with locals Rhonda and Paul who say high grocery prices are hitting families hard. All the time you read about eating healthy, and the healthy foods have gone up so much, too. So, a lot of families are eating cheaper food, not as healthy a food. Back to the list. Even basic produce has skyrocketed. Romaine lettuce was just 69 cents in 1997.

[00:01:30]Today, $2.49, an increase of more than 260%.

[00:01:37]As my cart started filling up, so did the guesses about the final total.

[00:01:41]Easily $100.

[00:01:43]>> Probably like $250 now. Drumroll, please. The total, $110.09.

[00:01:50]Now, here's where things get really interesting. According to the CPI inflation calculator, the $38 grocery trip from 1997 should equal about $81 today, but my modern-day total blew past that number. Food prices are just unbelievable. Gas prices are insane.

[00:02:07]Inflation is driving everything up.

[00:02:10]According to the USDA Food Price Outlook, grocery prices are expected to keep climbing this year with food at home prices forecasted to rise another 2.4%.

[00:02:20]So, do you think it's cheaper for people to like eat out versus like doing big grocery runs?

[00:02:24]>> I do. Yeah. In Bozeman, Megan Ellane, MTN News.