Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: generally no. On average, prices in U.S. stores are modestly higher than a year ago.

•Overall consumer prices rose 3.4% year over year in July 2026 (vs. July 2025).[1]

•Grocery prices (“food at home”) were up 2.7% year over year.[1]

•Retail goods excluding food and energy (“commodities less food and energy”) were up 0.8% year over year.[2]

Some categories are cheaper than a year ago (e.g., used cars −1.9% y/y; dairy products −0.5% y/y), but most common store categories are flat to slightly higher.[1]

Note: The August 2026 CPI report is due today (Friday, September 11, 2026). Want me to update this once it’s posted?[1]

Citations (2)

1bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M07 Results
Backs: “Overall consumer prices rose 3.4% year over year in July 2026 (vs. July 2025).”
background, official document, neutral. Claim: The August 2026 CPI report is due today, September 11, 2026.
2bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M07 Results
Backs: “Retail goods excluding food and energy (“commodities less food and energy”) were up 0.8% year over year.”
statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: Commodities less food and energy were up 0.8% year over year.