Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Based on the latest data, the picture is mixed — overall, prices are still higher than a year ago, though not by as much as during the peak inflation years, and a few specific items have actually gotten cheaper.
Overall trend: still rising, but more slowly
Where prices HAVE dropped
Where prices are still climbing
Bottom line: For most everyday goods, prices are still higher than a year ago, just at a slower pace of increase than during 2021–2023. The main exceptions are eggs, poultry, and a handful of items like bread, tomatoes, and potatoes, which have actually fallen in price after last year's spikes — while beef and fresh produce remain notably more expensive.
Citations (14)
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M08 Results
Source excerpt: “Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months to an inde...”
- 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....”
- 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 ...”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “In 2026, prices for all food are forecast to increase 3.0 percent, with a forecast interval of 2.4 to 3.5 percent. ”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “Retail egg prices decreased 0.4 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 and were 25.7 percent lower in July 2026 than in July 2025. ”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “An ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that began in 2022 has caused egg prices to increase by reducing egg-layer flocks and ...”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “Poultry prices fell 0.5 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 and were 0.5 percent lower in July 2026 than in July 2025. ”
- Costs appear to be down compared to a year ago for food staples in Twin Cities
Source excerpt: “On average, eggs are down from $5.45 in January 2025 to $2.05 in January 2026. Chicken is down from $8.85 to $6.91. Bread is slightly down from $1.87 ...”
- 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...”
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? | USAFacts
Source excerpt: “Out of nine grocery staples defined by the BLS, the cost of a pound of ground beef rose the most between 2025 and 2026, from $5.55 to $6.75, a 21.8% i...”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “Retail fresh fruit prices increased by 1.1 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 and were 4.9 percent higher in July 2026 than in July 2025. ”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “Retail fresh vegetable prices decreased by 1.6 percent from June 2026 to July 2026 but were 6.3 percent higher in July 2026 than in July 2025. ”
- Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service
Source excerpt: “Retail prices in July 2026 were 12.8 percent higher for fresh tomatoes, 7.5 percent higher for fresh lettuce, and 3.4 percent higher for fresh potatoe...”
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? | USAFacts
Source excerpt: “That’s less than the increases for utility gas (9.8%), electricity (6.3%), medical services (3.9%), and shelter (3.0%), but more than new vehicles (0....”