Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: No, overall prices are not lower than a year ago — but it depends on the category.

Overall inflation is still positive. The Consumer Price Index showed that prices rose 0.6% in September from the month before, bringing the annual rate of inflation to 3.7%, up from 3.4% in August. So on average, things cost more than a year ago, not less.

Grocery prices (food at home): Mixed picture.

•Food prices were flat on the month and up 2.5% from a year ago as of September 2026's report.

•There's been some recent easing: Grocery prices ticked lower in September, according to the latest government data, cooling off slightly from a surge earlier this year. 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.

What's actually cheaper than last year:

•Eggs have fallen sharply — a dozen grade A large eggs averaged $2.27 in August 2026, down from $3.59 a year earlier and $6.23 in March 2025.

•Other items also down year-over-year include butter (-8.1%), salad dressing (-4.3%), cheese and related products (-4.2%), fresh whole chicken (-3.2%), and bacon and related products (-2.8%).

What's more expensive than last year:

•Energy is a big driver of the recent uptick: gasoline prices soared 9.1%, accounting for about half the gain in headline CPI... over the past year, gas has posted a 34.2% rise while fuel oil has roared higher by 74.2%.

•Beef remains notably higher: ground beef prices rose double digits year-over-year in various reports.

•Shelter and apparel are also up: shelter prices increased 0.4%... apparel prices, which are sensitive to tariffs, increased 0.3% and are up 3.4% on an annual basis.

Bottom line: Prices overall are still higher than a year ago, driven largely by a recent surge in energy/gas costs. Within the grocery store specifically, you'll see a patchwork — eggs, chicken, butter, and cheese are cheaper, while beef, coffee, and fresh fruit continue climbing. Nothing in current data points to broad-based deflation across stores.

Citations (8)

1cnn.comNews and mediaquality 0.66
Inflation rose to 3.7% last month in last snapshot of consumer prices before the midterms
Source excerpt: “The latest Consumer Price Index showed that prices rose 0.6% in September from the month before, bringing the annual rate of inflation to 3.7%, up fro...”
2cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket
Source excerpt: “Food prices were flat on the month and up 2.5% from a year ago. ”
3aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know - AOL
Source excerpt: “Grocery prices ticked lower in September, according to the latest government data, cooling off slightly from a surge earlier this year. ”
4aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know - AOL
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.”
5duneed.appCompanies
Grocery Prices 2026: What's Up, What's Down, What's Next - Duneed
Source excerpt: “A dozen grade A large eggs averaged $2.27 in August 2026, down from $3.59 a year earlier and $6.23 in March 2025, and USDA forecasts egg prices 30.8% ...”
6betterreport.comLow provenance
Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “### Reader Favorites • Butter (-8.1%) • Salad dressing (-4.3%) • Cheese and related products (-4.2%) • Fresh whole chicken (-3.2%) • Fresh and frozen ...”
7cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
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...”
8cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket
Source excerpt: “However, shelter prices increased 0.4% and used car and truck prices jumped 0.7%. Apparel prices, which are sensitive to tariffs, increased 0.3% and a...”