Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: No, overall prices are still higher than a year ago — but it's a mixed picture

Overall inflation is still positive, meaning prices in general have risen, not fallen. The September Consumer Price Index report, released on October 14, showed headline inflation rose 0.6% from August to September and 3.7% year over year. That's actually accelerated recently — this was faster than the 0.4% monthly and 3.4% annual increases seen in August, with the year-over-year rate coming in above economists' estimate of a 3.6% rise.

Grocery prices specifically: Mostly up, but some items are cheaper

At the grocery store level, the picture is more nuanced:

•Overall grocery prices are higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed. Overall, grocery prices dropped 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, leaving them 1.8% higher than a year earlier — which was actually well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%, making grocery prices a bright spot in the government report.

•Some specific items are genuinely cheaper than last 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. Within meat, bacon costs 3.3% less than it did a year ago.

•Eggs have seen the biggest price drop of any category, falling due to recovery from bird flu disruptions.

•Other items are up significantly, including seafood, which has jumped more than 6% over the past year, while uncooked ground beef has climbed 5.4%. Similarly, fresh fruits and vegetables jumped 4.9% in September compared to a year earlier.

Why some things feel cheaper even though overall prices are up

Retailers have been actively cutting prices to win back cost-weary shoppers. America's grocery stores are cutting prices to attract consumers who have pared back spending to cope with rising costs, increasing competition in a relatively low-margin industry. Major brands like PepsiCo and General Mills have specifically rolled back prices on snacks and cereal to boost sagging sales volume.

Bottom line: No, prices overall are not lower than a year ago — inflation is still running above the Fed's 2% target, and in fact picked up pace in September. However, you may notice specific items (like eggs, bacon, some meats, bread, and snacks) that are genuinely cheaper than last year, even as your total grocery bill and broader cost of living remain higher.

Citations (10)

1kiplinger.comCommercial contentquality 0.85
October 2026 Fed Meeting: Updates and Commentary
Source excerpt: “The September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, released on October 14, showed headline inflation rose 0.6% from August to September and 3.7% year ov...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: September CPI showed headline inflation rose 0.6% from August and 3.7% year over year.
2kiplinger.comCommercial contentquality 0.85
October 2026 Fed Meeting: Updates and Commentary
Source excerpt: “last ... # October 2026 Fed Meeting: Updates and Commentary ## Midterms will keep the Fed on hold this week The September Consumer Price Index (CPI) ...”
background, article, points to no. Claim: Overall inflation is still positive, meaning prices in general have risen, as shown by the September CPI report.
3kiplinger.comCommercial contentquality 0.85
October 2026 Fed Meeting: Updates and Commentary
Source excerpt: “This was faster than the 0.4% monthly and 3.4% annual increases seen in August, with the year-over-year rate coming in above economists' estimate of a...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Inflation accelerated from August's 0.4% monthly and 3.4% annual increases, above economists' 3.6% estimate.
4abcnews.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 Sta...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Grocery prices fell 0.1% seasonally adjusted in September but remained 1.8% higher than a year earlier.
5abcnews.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, points to no. Claim: Grocery inflation was well below the overall inflation rate of 3.7%, making groceries a bright spot.
6abcnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.67
Which grocery prices are rising the fastest and which are falling? - ABC News
Source excerpt: “October 15, 2026, 2:39 PM Costs dropped last month for meat, ice cream and bread, among other foods. However, prices climbed for the likes of coffee,...”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: Costs dropped for meat, ice cream and bread, while coffee, candy and fresh fruit prices climbed.
7aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know - AOL
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 it did a year ago.
8aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know - AOL
Source excerpt: “Seafood prices have jumped more than 6% over the past year, while uncooked ground beef has climbed 5.4% over that period. ”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Seafood is up more than 6% over the past year, and uncooked ground beef up 5.4%.
9aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Some grocery prices are soaring, while others are plunging. Here's what to know - AOL
Source excerpt: “Prices for fresh fruits and vegetables jumped 4.9% in September compared to a year earlier, the BLS report showed, putting them above the overall infl...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Fresh fruits and vegetables jumped 4.9% in September compared to a year earlier.
10inquirer.comNot yet classified
As consumers pare spending, grocery stores race to cut prices
Source excerpt: “America’s grocery stores are cutting prices to attract consumers who have pared back spending to cope with rising costs. It’s the latest grocery chai...”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: Grocery stores are cutting prices to attract consumers who have pared back spending amid rising costs.