Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Prices vs. a year ago — I'll pull the latest inflation data to check.

No — on average, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, not lower.

•Overall consumer prices: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 3.7% over the 12 months ending September 2026, and 0.6% from the prior month.

•That was up from 3.4% in August, indicating inflation accelerated, not declined.

For grocery stores specifically:

•Overall, grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier

•That same data shows grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier

That year-over-year figure came in well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%, but still higher than a year ago, so the monthly dip did not make the year-over-year comparison lower.

There are some individual items that are cheaper than a year ago, within that higher average:

•Egg prices plummeted more than 20% over the year ending in September

•Butter prices plunged 10.3% last month compared to a year earlier

•Meat prices dipped 0.9% in September, but were still 1.3% higher than a year earlier

So while you may pay less for a few specific items like eggs, butter, or some meats compared to last year, the total grocery basket and the overall store price level remain higher than a year ago.

Citations (3)

1cpichart.comNot yet classified
CPI Chart — U.S. CPI Today: 3.7% Inflation (September 2026), Charts & Data
Backs: “No — on average, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, not lower. Overall consumer prices: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 3.7% over the 12 months ending September 2026, and 0.6% from the prior month.”
2ttnews.comNot yet classified
Inflation worsens to 3.7% in sign that prices remain elevated
Backs: “Overall consumer prices: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 3.7% over the 12 months ending September 2026, and 0.6% from the prior month.”
3kxel.comNot yet classified
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling?
Backs: “That was up from 3.4% in August, indicating inflation accelerated, not declined. For grocery stores specifically: Overall, grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier”