What things cost in America today
Grocery prices rose 1.8% over the 12 months to September 2026, according to the consumer price index for food at home; prices at restaurants and other food away from home rose 3.5%. Regular gasoline averaged $4.15 a gallon nationwide in the week of Nov 2, 2026, 37.6% more than a year earlier. Select any item for its price history back to 1980, yearly averages and what drives it.
A sample grocery basket
September 2026One each of: a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, and a pound of bread, coffee, ground beef, whole chicken and bananas, at US average prices.
The percentage is how much more (or less) the same basket costs now than then.
Biggest price changes in a year
Up the most
| Diesel | +67.7% |
| Gas (regular) | +37.6% |
| Ground beef | +7.4% |
| Natural gas (utility) | +5.4% |
| Tomatoes | +4.3% |
| Electricity | +4.3% |
Change in the latest average price vs the same period a year earlier. Red = more expensive.
Breakfast & dairy
Meat & poultry
Produce & pantry
Gas & energy
Frequently asked questions
Are grocery prices still going up?
Over the 12 months to September 2026, the consumer price index for food at home changed +1.8%, compared with +2.2% in the 12 months to the month before. Individual items move very differently — see the biggest risers and fallers above.
How much does a dozen eggs cost right now?
The average price of a dozen grade A large eggs in US cities was $2.27 in September 2026, unchanged from —, and 34.9% lower than a year earlier.
What is the average price of gas in the US right now?
The US average price of regular gasoline (all formulations) was $4.15 a gallon in the week of Nov 2, 2026, down 12 cents (2.7%) from the week before, and 37.6% higher than a year earlier.
How much does a pound of ground beef cost?
The average price of a pound of 100% ground beef in US cities was $6.79 in September 2026, down 13 cents (1.9%) from —, and 7.4% higher than a year earlier.
Where do these prices come from?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects these prices every month in stores across the country while compiling the consumer price index, and publishes the U.S. city average about two weeks after the month ends. Average prices are not seasonally adjusted, and they track a fixed item definition, so they show what a typical shopper paid rather than the cheapest deal. Gas and diesel prices come from the Energy Information Administration's weekly survey of retail stations. We read both through FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis database.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data (U.S. city average, monthly, not seasonally adjusted) and U.S. Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline and diesel prices, via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Prices are averages across stores and brands; what you pay locally will differ. Not investment advice.