Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Overall, No — Prices Are Still Higher Than a Year Ago, Though Some Items Have Gotten Cheaper
The short answer is that most prices in U.S. stores are still higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed and a handful of specific items have actually gotten cheaper.
The Big Picture: Inflation Is Still Positive
In line with estimates, the headline annual inflation rate held at 3.4% for the 12 months ending in August, unchanged from July. This means, on average, prices across the economy are 3.4% higher than they were a year ago — not lower. Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August — the lowest core inflation rate since March 2021.
What's Happening at Grocery Stores Specifically
Grocery prices tell a mixed story:
Some items have gotten cheaper: The latest Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that several everyday grocery staples now cost less than they did a year ago. For example, a Minnesota price check found eggs down from $5.45 in January 2025 to $2.05 in January 2026, and chicken down from $8.85 to $6.91.
But many items are still rising: the cost of tomatoes is up 12.8% year over year, while apples cost 11% more in July 2026 than they did in July 2025... instant coffee up 15.8% year over year, roasted coffee up 12.2%. Beef has also jumped significantly, with beef roasts up 13.5%, steaks up 9.6%, and ground beef up 9% over the past year.
By the Numbers: A Split Picture
Looking at broader BLS tracking, roughly 3 out of every 4 items (76 percent) BLS tracks increased in price between last July and this July, while about 1 in 4 (25 percent) were actually cheaper.
What Consumers Are Feeling
Many shoppers still perceive prices as elevated. In Las Vegas, for instance, one shopper said, "It makes me feel terrible because I am spending more for food now, versus, let's say, a year ago."
Bottom Line
Retailers aren't broadly lowering prices — rather, some are working to slow the pace of increases through promotions. As one retail analyst put it regarding UK/US-style pricing trends, "Shop price inflation remains lower than a year ago, which will help shoppers as they manage other increases in household spend." That means inflation is decelerating, not reversing — prices are still going up, just not as fast as before.
So while a few grocery staples (like eggs and chicken) have gotten notably cheaper, the overall trend is that prices remain higher than a year ago, with the annual inflation rate sitting around 3.4%.
Citations (11)
- US CPI August 2026: Inflation Picks Up as Gas Prices Surge
Source excerpt: “In line with estimates, the headline annual inflation rate held at 3.4% for the 12 months ending in August, unchanged from July. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Headline annual inflation held at 3.4% for the 12 months ending in August, meaning prices are higher than a year ago.
- US CPI August 2026: Inflation Picks Up as Gas Prices Surge
Source excerpt: “Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August — the lowest core inflation rate since March 2021 — in line with expectations and down from...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August, the lowest since March 2021.
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “The food-at-home (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) CPI was unchanged from June 2026 to July 2026 and 2.7 percent higher than in July 2025....”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Food-at-home CPI was unchanged from June to July 2026 and 2.7 percent higher than in July 2025.
- Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “Food prices remain well above their pre-pandemic levels, and are up 3% over July 2025 (as of July 2026, the latest data available). ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Overall food prices are up 3% over July 2025, as of July 2026 data.
- Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “The latest Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that several everyday grocery staples now cost less than they did...”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: BLS CPI data shows several everyday grocery staples now cost less than they did a year ago.
- Costs appear to be down compared to a year ago for food staples in Twin Cities
Source excerpt: “On average, eggs are down from $5.45 in January 2025 to $2.05 in January 2026. Chicken is down from $8.85 to $6.91. ”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Minnesota price check found eggs down from $5.45 to $2.05 and chicken down from $8.85 to $6.91.
- Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “According to the latest BLS data, the cost of tomatoes is up 12.8% year over year, while apples cost 11% more in July 2026 than they did in July 2025....”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Tomatoes are up 12.8% year over year and apples cost 11% more in July 2026 than July 2025.
- Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “Beef roasts (up 13.5%), steaks (+9.6%), and ground beef (+9%) all posted increases over the past year. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Beef roasts up 13.5%, steaks up 9.6%, and ground beef up 9% over the past year.
- Latest Inflation Statistics: The Prices Rising And Falling Most | Bankrate
Source excerpt: “Of the nearly 400 items that BLS tracks, roughly 3 out of every 4 items (or 76 percent) increased in price between July 2024 and July 2025. One in 4 (...”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Roughly 76 percent of BLS-tracked items rose in price over the year while about 25 percent were cheaper.
- Las Vegas valley grocery shoppers lament high prices going into 2026
Source excerpt: ““It makes me feel terrible because I am spending more for food now, versus, let’s say, a year ago,” Roy Robinson said.”
attribution, article, points to no. Claim: A Las Vegas shopper said he is spending more for food now than a year ago.
- Retailers keep prices low despite mounting cost pressures | Talking Retail
Source excerpt: “Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight, NIQ, said: “Shop price inflation remains lower than a year ago, which will help shoppers as they ...”
attribution, article, neutral. Claim: NIQ analyst said shop price inflation remains lower than a year ago, meaning price increases are decelerating.