Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Short answer: No. On average, U.S. consumer prices were higher than a year ago. As of August 2026, the CPI was up 3.4% from August 2025.[1]
If you mean things you typically buy in stores:
Some individual categories are lower than a year ago (for example, used cars and trucks −2.3%, dairy −0.3%), but the overall basket is not.[2]
If you have a specific category (e.g., groceries, electronics) or a location in mind, I can pull those details.
Citations (2)
- Consumer Price Index - August 2026
Backs: “On average, U.S. consumer prices were higher than a year ago. As of August 2026, the CPI was up 3.4% from August 2025.”
statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: As of August 2026, the CPI was up 3.4% from August 2025, so overall prices are higher than a year ago.
- Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U. S. city average, by expenditure category - 2026 M08 Results
Backs: “Groceries (food at home): up about 2.2% year over year.”
statistic, data page, points to yes. Claim: Some categories are lower than a year ago, such as used cars and trucks (−2.3%) and dairy (−0.3%), but the overall basket is not.