Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Overall, no — prices in stores are generally higher than a year ago, though the picture is mixed depending on the category.
Overall inflation: Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket, which was up from 3.4% in August, according to U.S. Labor Department data released October 14, 2026. Energy costs are a major driver—gasoline prices soared 9.1%, accounting for about half the gain in headline CPI, while gas has posted a 34.2% rise over the past year, and fuel oil has roared higher by 74.2%.
Groceries specifically: The picture is more mixed. Overall, grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier. So grocery bills overall are still up year-over-year, but only modestly, and some items are actually getting cheaper:
Other categories going up: Food prices were flat on the month and up 2.5% from a year ago. Shelter prices increased 0.4% and used car and truck prices jumped 0.7%, while apparel prices increased 0.3% and are up 3.4% on an annual basis. Restaurant/menu prices have risen even faster than groceries: compared with a year earlier, menu prices were up 3.5% in September, roughly double the pace of grocery price inflation.
Bottom line: Overall store prices are higher than a year ago (up roughly 3.7% for consumer prices broadly, with gas and energy pushing the biggest gains). However, if you look specifically at grocery staples, the increase is much smaller (about 1.8%), and several items—like eggs, butter, meat, and dairy—have actually gotten cheaper over the past year, even as things like coffee, fresh fruit, apparel, and dining out have gotten more expensive.
Citations (10)
- CPI inflation report September 2026
Source excerpt: “# Consumer prices rose 3.7% annually in September as gas prices skyrocket Surging energy costs were again the primary culprit in the inflation picture...”
- Current U.S. Inflation Rates: 2000-2026
Source excerpt: “The annual inflation rate in the United States was 3.7% for the 12 months ending September, up from 3.4% in August, according to U.S. Labor Department...”
- CPI inflation report September 2026
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...”
- 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 S...”
- Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
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. ”
- Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
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....”
- Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Butter prices plunged 10.3% last month compared to a year earlier, while prices for ice cream, milk and cheese each fell more than 2% over that period...”
- CPI inflation report September 2026
Source excerpt: “Food prices were flat on the month and up 2.5% from a year ago. However, shelter prices increased 0.4% and used car and truck prices jumped 0.7%. Ap...”
- Menu Prices
Source excerpt: “Compared with a year earlier, menu prices were up 3.5% in September. ”
- Menu Prices
Source excerpt: “Over the past 12 months, grocery prices have risen 1.8%, roughly half the pace of menu price inflation. ”