Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Your price check is in — I'll pull year-over-year store data to see what's up and what's down.

No, on average prices in stores are higher than a year ago, not lower — though some specific items and stores are cheaper.

•Overall Consumer Price Index in August 2026 was up 3.4% year over year, the same rate as July. The measure matched consensus and was reported as:

> headline consumer prices rose 0.4% month over month and 3.4% year over year in August 2026

Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was also up 2.4% year over year.

•For everyday household goods, Numerator's CPI showed:

> In October, prices for everyday goods are up 2.68% versus a year ago.

Prices for everyday household goods increased 0.12% month over month in October.

•For groceries specifically (food-at-home):

> The government's latest Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices were unchanged in August from July but remained 2.2% higher than a year earlier.

Fact-checkers noted grocery prices have increased 3.4% on average since January 2025 through August 2026, and that

> Overall grocery prices are up 3.4% since Jan. 2025, and way more grocery items are up than down

The USDA forecasts grocery prices will rise about 2.5% during 2026.

A lower inflation rate does not mean falling prices:

> A lower inflation rate doesn't mean groceries are getting cheaper. It means prices are increasing more slowly.

After large increases earlier in the 2020s, new increases are added to an already high base.

Exceptions where prices are lower than a year ago

•Eggs, after spiking due to avian flu, are down big — down 31.1% since January 2025, and down 45 percent compared to a year ago in more recent data, while cheese prices have dropped 4.4 percent and dairy prices overall are down 1.6 percent year-over-year.

•Some retailers have cut prices: Aldi said nearly one-third of its everyday in-store assortment is now priced lower than it was a year ago, with new Fall cuts expected to save shoppers $86 million.

•Local tracking found QFC is actually cheaper than it was a year ago, down 8.2%, followed by Trader Joe's (-4.4%) .

Where prices are still rising sharply

•Beef and veal prices in July were 9.4% higher than a year earlier

•Coffee prices were 6.1% higher in August than a year earlier, instant coffee up 11%

•Sugar and sweets up 6.1%, candy up 8.1%

•Fruits and vegetables as a category were 3.2% higher than a year earlier in August

•Energy prices were 16.3% higher in August than a year earlier

Citations (2)

1consumeraffairs.comCommercial content
Why grocery prices are still high — and why they may stay that way
Backs: “Prices for everyday household goods increased 0.12% month over month in October. For groceries specifically (food-at-home): The government's latest Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices were unchanged in August from July but remained 2.2% higher than a year earlier.”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Food-at-home prices were unchanged in August from July but remained 2.2% higher than a year earlier, per the government's latest CPI.
2kioncentralcoast.comNews and media
Fact check: Trump lies again that grocery prices ‘have come way down’ this term
Backs: “The government's latest Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices were unchanged in August from July but remained 2.2% higher than a year earlier. Fact-checkers noted grocery prices have increased 3.4% on average since January 2025 through August 2026, and that”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Fact-checkers noted grocery prices are up 3.4% since January 2025, and far more grocery items are up than down.