Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Are prices down from last year? I'll check current inflation data to compare.

No - in general, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, although the rate of increase has slowed.

As of the latest data available September 13, 2026:

•Overall consumer prices are higher year-over-year. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment over the last 12 months ending August 2026. It also rose 3.4 percent for the 12 months ending Julyand 3.5 percent from June 2025 to June 2026

•Food prices overall are also higher year-over-year:

•The food index increased 2.7 percent over the last year ending August 2026

•Over the 12 months ended July 2026 food prices increased 3.0 percent

•Food prices rose 3.0 percent over the year ended June 2026

•Grocery store prices (Food at home) are higher year-over-year as well:

•The food at home index rose 2.2 percent over the 12 months ending in August

•Prices for food at home rose 2.7 percent for the year ended July 2026

•Food at home prices rising 2.7 percent for year ended June 2026

Month-to-month prices have been flat or slightly down recently, which can make it feel like prices are stabilizing, but not lower than last year:

•The index for food at home was unchanged over the month in August 2026

•CPI fell 0.4% month-over-month in June, but still up 3.5% year-over-year.

Some specific items are lower than a year ago:

•Eggs at -25.7% year-over-year in July 2026

•Used cars and trucks at -1.9 percent in July 2026 compared with a year earlierand -2.3% for year ending August in the table

•Dairy and related products fell 0.3 percent over the year ending August

So while inflation has cooled from higher rates in 2023, and a few categories have seen price declines, the average basket in stores costs about 2-3% more for groceries and 3.4% more overall than a year ago.

Citations (2)

1bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M08 Results
Backs: “As of the latest data available September 13, 2026: Overall consumer prices are higher year-over-year. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment over the last 12 months ending August 2026.”
2bls.govGovernment
Consumer prices up 3.4 over the year in July 2026 : The Economics Daily : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment over the last 12 months ending August 2026.”