Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Overall, no — prices in stores are generally higher, not lower, than a year ago, though the picture varies quite a bit depending on what you're buying.
Overall inflation picture
The most recent government data (released October 14, 2026, covering September) shows that the consumer price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% for the month, putting the 12-month rate at 3.7%. This increase was primarily driven by surging energy costs, with the energy index jumping 5.2% as tensions continued between the U.S. and Iran. Gasoline prices soared 9.1%, and over the past year, gas has posted a 34.2% rise while fuel oil has roared higher by 74.2%.
Grocery prices
Grocery (food-at-home) prices are also higher than a year ago, though the increase is modest compared to overall inflation:
Some specific categories that ARE cheaper
A few non-food categories have actually seen year-over-year declines:
The bottom line
Grocery prices are rising more slowly, but groceries are not getting cheaper overall — an inflation rate of around 2% means prices are increasing more slowly than during the worst of the food-price surge, not that earlier increases have been erased. And on the broader economy, while inflation is not nearly as high as it was in 2022, every time prices start to level off, the economy gets rattled by a new supply shock, such as tariffs or the war with Iran — which is exactly what's happening now with gas prices driving the latest uptick.
So the short answer: no, prices in stores overall remain higher than a year ago — up 3.7% broadly and about 1.8–2.5% for groceries specifically — though certain items like eggs, major appliances, and prescription drugs have gotten cheaper.
Citations (14)
- Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket
Source excerpt: “# Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket The consumer price index, a broad measure of goods and services costs across...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: CPI rose 3.7% over 12 months in September, with a 0.6% monthly increase.
- Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket
Source excerpt: “Surging energy costs were again the primary culprit in the inflation picture. The energy index jumped 5.2% as tensions continued between the U.S. and ...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Surging energy costs drove inflation; the energy index jumped 5.2% amid U.S.-Iran tensions.
- Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket
Source excerpt: “Gasoline prices soared 9.1%, accounting for about half the gain in headline CPI, according to the BLS. Over the past year, gas has posted a 34.2% rise...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Gasoline rose 9.1% in the month, 34.2% over the year, and fuel oil 74.2%.
- Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Overall, grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier, U.S. Bureau of Labor Sta...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Grocery prices dropped 0.1% in September but are 1.8% higher than a year earlier.
- Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “That year-over-year figure came in well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%, making grocery prices a bright spot in the government report. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Grocery year-over-year increase is well below the 3.7% overall inflation rate, a bright spot.
- Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know
Source excerpt: “Costs dropped last month for meat, ice cream and bread, among other foods. However, prices climbed for the likes of coffee, candy and fresh fruit. ”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: Costs dropped for meat, ice cream and bread while coffee, candy and fresh fruit climbed.
- Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know
Source excerpt: “Egg prices plummeted more than 20% over the year ending in September, indicating continued recovery from a shortage caused by an outbreak of bird flu.”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Egg prices plummeted more than 20% over the year ending in September.
- Grocery Prices 2026: What's Up, What's Down, What's Next - Duneed
Source excerpt: “Ground beef averaged $6.92 a pound in August 2026, up 9.6% in a year, and USDA forecasts beef and veal prices up 9.8% for 2026. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Ground beef averaged $6.92 a pound in August 2026, up 9.6% in a year.
- Consumer Prices Rise Sharply
Source excerpt: “Prices of major appliances were unchanged in September after jumping 1.4 percent in August. Compared with a year ago, major appliance prices are down ...”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Major appliance prices are down 2.3% from a year ago.
- Consumer Prices Rise Sharply
Source excerpt: “Furniture prices fell by 0.8 percent in September after falling 0.9 percent in August. They are down 2.4 percent from a year ago. ”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Furniture prices fell 0.8% in September and are down 2.4% from a year ago.
- Consumer Prices Rise Sharply
Source excerpt: “Prescription drug prices declined 1.2 percent for the month after being flat the previous month. They are down 4.5 percent from a year ago. ”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Prescription drug prices declined 1.2% for the month and are down 4.5% from a year ago.
- 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: “* An inflation rate of 2.2% means prices are increasing more slowly than they were during the worst of the food-price surge. It does not mean the earl...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Roughly 2% inflation means prices rise more slowly than at the worst of the surge, not that earlier increases reversed.
- Inflation sizzled in September — and Social Security benefits will get a boost
Source excerpt: “### Prices are climbing faster than paychecks Inflation is not nearly as high as it was in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But every tim...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Inflation is below 2022 levels but new supply shocks like tariffs or the Iran war keep pushing prices up.