Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
No, overall prices in stores are higher, not lower, than a year ago — though the pace of increases has slowed and a few specific items have gotten cheaper.
Overall inflation: The broad Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks prices across the economy, increased 3.4% over the 12 months through August 2026, with this annual inflation rate unchanged from July. This means the overall cost of goods and services was higher than it was a year earlier.
Groceries specifically: Grocery prices are rising more slowly, but groceries are not getting cheaper overall. As of August 2026, the U.S. food-at-home price index was unchanged for the month and stood 2.2% above its August 2025 level. One analysis put it simply: think of a grocery bill that climbs from $100 to $110, then to $112. The second increase is smaller. The bill is still $12 higher than when it started.
What's actually cheaper: A handful of items have dropped in price year-over-year — most notably eggs. Beef and veal prices have spiked by 11.8% as the US cattle herd shrinks to a 75-year low, while retail egg prices have dropped 27.9% compared to 2025. Other items with annual declines include eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, bread and chicken, with egg prices decreasing the most (-48.0%), followed by tomatoes (-12.6%), potatoes (-10.5%), bread (-4.3%), and chicken (-1.0%) as of earlier in the year.
Bottom line: Some items are [cheaper]. The average grocery basket is not. So while you may notice a few products — eggs being the clearest example — costing less than last year, the overall shopping trip and general cost of living remain higher than a year ago, just climbing at a slower rate than during the peak inflation years.
Citations (8)
- US Inflation Rate 2026: Today’s Latest CPI Update and Inflation Data - Amtrak Daily Long Distance Service Study
Source excerpt: “Over the 12 months through August, overall consumer prices increased 3.4%. This annual inflation rate was unchanged from July, meaning inflation remai...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: The CPI rose 3.4% over the 12 months through August 2026, unchanged from July.
- US Inflation Rate 2026: Today’s Latest CPI Update and Inflation Data - Amtrak Daily Long Distance Service Study
Source excerpt: “For households, an inflation rate of 3.4% means that the overall cost of the goods and services measured by the CPI was higher than it was a year earl...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: A 3.4% inflation rate means overall goods and services cost more than a year earlier.
- Are Groceries Getting Cheaper? Why Your Bill May Say Otherwise - Food Trade News & Food World
Source excerpt: “Why Your Bill May Say Otherwise #### Grocery prices are rising more slowly, but groceries are not getting cheaper overall. ”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Grocery prices are rising more slowly, but groceries are not getting cheaper overall.
- Are Groceries Getting Cheaper? Why Your Bill May Say Otherwise - Food Trade News & Food World
Source excerpt: “The U.S. food-at-home price index was unchanged in August 2026 and stood 2.2% above its August 2025 level, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Food-at-home index unchanged in August 2026 and 2.2% above August 2025.
- Are Groceries Getting Cheaper? Why Your Bill May Say Otherwise - Food Trade News & Food World
Source excerpt: “Think of a grocery bill that climbs from $100 to $110, then to $112. The second increase is smaller. The bill is still $12 higher than when it started...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: A bill rising from $100 to $110 to $112 is still $12 higher despite the smaller second increase.
- US Grocery Price Statistics 2026: Food Inflation Guide
Source excerpt: “- Beef and veal prices have spiked by **11.8%** as the US cattle herd shrinks to a **75-year low**. - Retail egg prices have dropped **27.9%** compare...”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Beef and veal prices rose 11.8% while retail egg prices fell 27.9% compared to 2025.
- Are groceries more expensive than last year?
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%), followed by...”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, bread and chicken were cheaper than a year earlier, with eggs down 48.0%.
- Are Groceries Getting Cheaper? Why Your Bill May Say Otherwise - Food Trade News & Food World
Source excerpt: “**Some items are. The average grocery basket is not.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Some items are cheaper, but the average grocery basket is not.