Food prices
Average U.S. city prices for 20 grocery items in August 2026, and the change from the same month a year earlier, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; then the consumer price index for each food category.
| Item | Unit | August 2026 | vs a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon | a pound | $6.61 | −8% |
| Bananas | a pound | $0.65 | −2% |
| Bread | a pound | $1.82 | −1% |
| Butter | a pound | $4.02 | −17% |
| Cheddar cheese | a pound | $5.98 | −2% |
| Chicken | a pound | $2.01 | −3% |
| Chicken breast | a pound | $4.17 | −1% |
| Coffee | a pound | $9.30 | +5% |
| Eggs | a dozen | $2.27 | −37% |
| Ground beef | a pound | $6.92 | +10% |
| Ice cream | a half gallon | $5.85 | −10% |
| Lettuce | a pound | $1.47 | −12% |
| Milk | a gallon | $4.23 | +1% |
| Orange juice | a 16-fluid-ounce measure | $4.82 | +4% |
| Pork chops | a pound | $4.24 | −1% |
| Potatoes | a pound | $0.98 | −2% |
| Rice | a pound | $1.11 | +5% |
| Strawberries | a 12-ounce pack | $2.58 | +7% |
| Sugar | a pound | $1.02 | −2% |
| Tomatoes | a pound | $1.98 | +3% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average price data (series APU), August 2026.
What a dollar buys: protein and calories
Joined with USDA's record for the same food as sold, August 2026's prices give the cost of 100 g of protein and of 100 calories. Eggs gave the cheapest protein, $3.01 for 100 g. Items sold with bone, peel or caps, and coffee and juice concentrate, are left out: their price is not for the part that is eaten.
| Item | Price | USDA record | 100 g of protein | 100 calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | $2.27 a dozen | FDC 171287 (12 large eggs of 50 g) | $3.01 | $0.26 |
| Chicken breast | $4.17 a pound | FDC 171077 (1 lb) | $4.09 | $0.77 |
| Cheddar cheese | $5.98 a pound | FDC 173414 (1 lb) | $5.77 | $0.33 |
| Ground beef | $6.92 a pound | FDC 174036 (1 lb, 80% lean record) | $8.89 | $0.60 |
| Bacon | $6.61 a pound | FDC 168277 (1 lb, raw) | $10.66 | $0.37 |
| Sugar | $1.02 a pound | FDC 169655 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $0.06 |
| Rice | $1.11 a pound | FDC 168877 (1 lb, uncooked) | not a protein food | $0.07 |
| Butter | $4.02 a pound | FDC 173410 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $0.12 |
| Bread | $1.82 a pound | FDC 174924 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $0.15 |
| Milk | $4.23 a gallon | FDC 171265 (4 quarts of 976 g) | not a protein food | $0.18 |
| Ice cream | $5.85 a half gallon | FDC 167575 (16 half cups of 66 g) | not a protein food | $0.27 |
| Potatoes | $0.98 a pound | FDC 170026 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $0.28 |
| Lettuce | $1.47 a pound | FDC 169248 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $2.32 |
| Tomatoes | $1.98 a pound | FDC 170457 (1 lb) | not a protein food | $2.42 |
Source: BLS average prices, August 2026; USDA FoodData Central reference records (SR Legacy), per 100 g as sold; FDC portion weights for eggs, milk and ice cream.
The price index by food category
| Category | Index, August 2026 | vs a year ago |
|---|---|---|
| Beef & Veal | 511.8 | +5.9% |
| Cereals & Bakery | 368.8 | +2.6% |
| Dairy & Related Products | 272.1 | −0.3% |
| Eggs | 291.5 | −23.0% |
| Fats & Oils | 312.4 | −0.3% |
| Fish & Seafood | 380.8 | +6.5% |
| Food (All) | 350.3 | +2.6% |
| Food at Home | 321.3 | +2.1% |
| Food Away from Home | 397.9 | +3.4% |
| Fresh Fruits | 432.0 | +3.8% |
| Fresh Vegetables | 398.3 | +2.6% |
| Fruits & Vegetables | 369.1 | +3.2% |
| Meats, Poultry, Fish & Eggs | 350.0 | +0.9% |
| Nonalcoholic Beverages | 238.4 | +3.7% |
| Other Food at Home | 295.4 | +2.1% |
| Poultry | 312.0 | +0.5% |
| Sugar & Sweets | 324.4 | +6.1% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, seasonally adjusted, 1982-84 = 100, August 2026.