Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Overall: No, prices are generally higher than a year ago — though it's a mixed picture
Overall inflation is still running above zero, meaning most goods and services cost more than a year ago. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment as of the latest CPI report (August 2026). Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August, the lowest core inflation rate since March 2021.
Groceries specifically
Grocery inflation has slowed dramatically compared to the 2021-2022 spike, but prices are still higher on average:
It's very much a "mixed basket" — some items are cheaper, others cost more
Items that got cheaper:
Items that got more expensive (as of July 2026 data):
Bottom line
So it depends on what you're buying: eggs, chicken, and some produce are notably cheaper than a year ago, but beef, coffee, and several other staples continue climbing. Inflation is cooling overall, yet many grocery items are still more expensive than a year ago, keeping the cost of groceries high for households. The next official CPI update, covering September data, is due October 14, 2026.
Citations (10)
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M08 Results
Source excerpt: “Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. ”
- US CPI August 2026: Inflation Picks Up as Gas Prices Surge
Source excerpt: “Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August — the lowest core inflation rate since March 2021 — in line with expectations and down from...”
- 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....”
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? | USAFacts
Source excerpt: “Grocery store food prices increased 2.1% from January 2025 to January 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s less than the in...”
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? | USAFacts
Source excerpt: “... Eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, bread and chicken were all cheaper as of January 2026 than a year prior. Egg prices decreased the most (-48.0%), followe...”
- 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...”
- 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....”
- 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. ”
- Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “Coffee prices also continued to climb, with instant coffee up 15.8% year over year, roasted coffee up 12.2%, and coffee overall up 9.4%. ”
- Food Prices and Grocery Affordability – Latest Inflation Trends and Impacts in the U.S.
Source excerpt: “In short, inflation is cooling overall, yet many grocery items are still more expensive than a year ago, keeping the cost of groceries high for househ...”