GPT-5Oct 274 citationsNo
Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Short answer: mostly no.
- Overall U.S. consumer prices are higher than a year ago. The September 2026 CPI (released October 14) shows headline inflation at 3.7% year over year. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi10142026.htm?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulselittle-text-block&utmsource=openai))
- Grocery prices (“food at home”) are up about 1.8% versus September 2025. ([ers.usda