Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: No — overall, prices are higher than a year ago, though it's a mixed picture with some specific items actually cheaper.

Overall U.S. inflation: The US annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.7% in September 2026, up from 3.4% in prior months, meaning the overall cost of goods and services is running notably higher than a year ago.

Groceries specifically: It's a mixed bag. Overall, grocery store prices dropped 0.1% in September but were still 1.8% higher than a year earlier, which notably came in well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%, making grocery prices a bright spot.

What's actually cheaper than last year:

•Eggs have seen the biggest drop — egg prices plummeted more than 20% over the year ending in September, continuing to recover from the bird flu outbreak.

•Butter prices plunged 10.3% in September compared to a year earlier.

•Milk, cheese, and ice cream each fell more than 2% over that period.

•Bacon costs 3.3% less than it did a year ago.

•Meat overall dipped slightly, though meat prices were still 1.3% higher than a year earlier despite the September dip.

What's still more expensive:

•Beef/ground beef has risen sharply — one analysis found ground beef up around 21.8%, rising from $5.55 to $6.75 a pound year-over-year.

•Prices climbed for coffee, candy and fresh fruit last month.

Bottom line: While a handful of grocery items (notably eggs, butter, and dairy) have gotten cheaper, the broader basket of goods and overall inflation are still running higher than a year ago — so, in most stores, you're likely paying more overall, even if a few specific items cost less.

Citations (9)

1tradingeconomics.comData and tools
United States Inflation Rate
Source excerpt: “The US annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.7% in September 2026, up from 3.4% in each of the previous two months and above market expectations of 3...”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: US annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.7% in September 2026, up from 3.4% in prior months.
2abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
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...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Grocery prices dropped 0.1% in September but were still 1.8% higher than a year earlier.
3abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Wholesale prices rise at fastest pace since 2022 as fuel costs climb That year-over-year figure came in well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%...”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Grocery inflation of 1.8% came in well below overall inflation of 3.7%, making groceries a bright spot.
4abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
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....”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Egg prices plummeted more than 20% over the year ending in September, recovering from bird flu outbreak.
5abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
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...”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Butter fell 10.3% year over year; milk, cheese and ice cream each fell more than 2%.
6abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “The cooldown in meat prices hit a range of products, including bacon, which costs 3.3% less than it did a year ago. ”
statistic, article, points to yes. Claim: Bacon costs 3.3% less than a year ago.
7abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Meat prices, for instance, dipped 0.9% in September, putting them 1.3% higher than a year earlier. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Meat prices dipped in September but were still 1.3% higher than a year earlier.
8usafacts.orgData and toolsquality 0.91
Are groceries more expensive than last year?
Source excerpt: “Out of nine grocery staples defined by the BLS, the cost of a pound of ground beef rose the most between 2025 and 2026, from $5.55 to $6.75, a 21.8% i...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Ground beef rose about 21.8%, from $5.55 to $6.75 a pound, year over year.
9abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “However, prices climbed for the likes of coffee, candy and fresh fruit. ”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Prices climbed for coffee, candy and fresh fruit last month.