Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
No, overall prices in stores are generally higher than they were a year ago, though the pace of increases has slowed significantly and a handful of specific items have actually gotten cheaper.
Overall inflation
As of the most recent data, the annual inflation rate in the United States was 3.4% for the 12 months ending July, down from 3.5% previously. Economists expected the August report (released this week) to show headline inflation easing slightly to 3.3% year-over-year from 3.4%, while core prices accelerate modestly to 0.22% month-over-month from 0.20% in July. So while inflation has cooled from its 2022 peak, prices are still climbing year-over-year, not falling.
Grocery prices specifically
Grocery ("food at home") prices are also up compared to a year ago, but at a moderate pace: the food-at-home CPI was unchanged from June 2026 to July 2026 and 2.7 percent higher than in July 2025. Restaurant/food-away-from-home prices rose even faster — the food-away-from-home CPI increased 0.3 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 and was 3.4 percent higher than in July 2025.
But it's a mixed picture — some items ARE cheaper
Not everything is more expensive. Some specific grocery staples have actually declined:
But many items are still more expensive
Other categories continue rising sharply:
Bottom line
So overall, prices in stores today are still higher than a year ago, just rising more slowly than during the 2021–2022 inflation surge. It's a very uneven picture depending on the product — eggs are notably cheaper, but beef, coffee, and produce like tomatoes and apples remain significantly more expensive than last year.
Citations (8)
- Current U.S. Inflation Rates: 2000-2026
Source excerpt: “The annual inflation rate in the United States was 3.4% for the 12 months ending July, down from 3.5% previously, according to U.S. Labor Department d...”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: US annual inflation was 3.4% for the 12 months ending July, down from 3.5% previously.
- August CPI Report: What the Inflation Data Is Expected to Show | Kiplinger
Source excerpt: “Headline inflation is expected to ease slightly to 3.3% year-over-year from 3.4%, while core prices accelerate modestly to 0.22% month-over-month from...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Economists expect August headline inflation to ease to 3.3% year-over-year from 3.4%, with core prices accelerating modestly.
- 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 June to July 2026 and 2.7 percent higher than July 2025.
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “The food-away-from-home (restaurant and other foodservice purchases) CPI increased 0.3 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 and was 3.4 percent higher ...”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Food-away-from-home CPI rose 0.3 percent from June to July 2026 and was 3.4 percent higher than a year earlier.
- 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 data shows several everyday grocery staples now cost less than they did a year ago.
- How grocery prices have changed since Trump took office
Source excerpt: “The average price of eggs — a frequent stand-in for inflation during the campaign — have declined from a spring 2025 peak and are now down 31% since T...”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Egg prices have declined from a spring 2025 peak and are down 31% since Trump took office.
- 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 than July 2025; coffee also up.
- 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.