Inflation rises again – but how much have everyday items risen in price in 20 years?

Living in London feels more expensive than ever, with eye-watering rent, extortionate energy bills and daily groceries becoming increasingly costly.

While economists are now saying that the cost of living crisis is now over, many Brits are still strapped for cash, with over 5 million UK adults experiencing financial, health and housing insecurity.

UK inflation jumped 3.8 per cent in July, the highest since January 2024, resulting in even more financial pressure.

Only a third of Brits would describe themselves as comfortable financially, according to a recent You Gov poll, and eight in 10 say prices are rising faster than their income.

Here’s a look back at what the staples cost in the UK twenty years ago compared to today:

Bread

(Warburtons)

In 2005, the average cost a 800g white loaf of sliced bread was 69p. Today, that number has jumped to £1.40.

Milk

Experts have concluded that ‘no almond, oat or soya drink available in the UK is nutritionally equivalent to cows’ milk’ (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive)

In 2005, a pint of pasteurised milk was just 35p. Today the average price is 65p.

Eggs

Food standards: Hundreds of thousands of potentially contaminated eggs have been imported into Britain (PA)

In August 2005, a dozen 55-60g eggs cost an average of £1.54. Today a dozen eggs cost £3.31.

Coffee

Having a cup of coffee in the morning could provide more health benefits than drinking it throughout the day, according to a new study (Anthony Devlin/PA) (PA Archive)

In August 2005, the average price of 100g of instant coffee was £1.83. Today it is £3.85.

Freddo

Advertisements for Cadbury's Freddo chocolate bar have been banned for breaking rules (PA)

In 2005, a Freddo chocolate bar cost just 10p. Today, it often sells for around 30p-35p, with some reported sightings of the bar being sold for as much as £1.

Fuel

Supermarket fuel margins fell from 8.9% in December 2024 to 7.9% in February 2025, figures showed (Lewis Whyld/PA) (PA Wire)

In August 2005, the cost of petrol was 91.42p/litre and diesel was 94.5p/litre, according to the RAC Foundation.

Today, that figure has risen to 135.2p/litre for petrol and 142.7p/litre for diesel.

Electricity

Ministers had been considering proposals for zonal pricing that would see different areas of the country pay different rates for their electricity, based on local supply and demand (PA) (PA Wire)

In 2005, the average household electricity bill was £307. By July 2025, that number had jumped to £882.21.

Gas

Centrica said gas storage supplies are running lower than usual (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)

In 2005, the average annual household gas bill was £515 for customers who pay quarterly by cheque and £463 for people on direct debit.

In July 2025, the average has bill was £836.79.

Water

Chris Walters has been appointed as the new chief executive of Ofwat (Rui Vieira/PA) (PA Archive)

In April 2005, the average estimated annual household water bill in the UK was £321.

National average water bills for the coming year are forecast to be close to double that, estimated at £603.

London rent

The reported new levy would be paid by owner-occupiers on houses worth more than £500,000 when they sell their home (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive)

In 2005, the average weekly rent for “self-contained one bedroom or larger properties” in London was £194.69.

By 2025, average weekly rent in London was as high as £563.

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