Historical comparison · Updated May 2026
How much higher are grocery prices now than in 2019?
The fixed 24-item grocery basket was $111.46 in May 2026, +47.1% versus May 2019; the dollar difference was $35.67 higher.
$75.79 in May 2019 → $111.46 in May 2026
Comparison methodology
This comparison uses the same calendar month in 2019 and the latest month, holding all 24 basket quantities fixed.
Baseline observation: 2019-05. Latest observation: 2026-05. The item table includes 23 weighted items with an observed value in both periods; excluded observations are not estimated.
Grocery basket history
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Average Price Data. Retrieved 2026-06-26. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.
Largest contributors
Ground beef contributed $5.85 of increase; Orange juice contributed $2.52 of increase; Milk contributed $2.51 of increase; Potato chips contributed $2.17 of increase; Eggs contributed $1.66 of increase. Contributions use fixed Basket Report quantities.
Item-level comparison
| Item | 2019-05 | Current | Change | Weighted $ difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | $3.82 | $6.75 | +76.5% | $5.85 |
| Orange juice | $2.45 | $4.97 | +102.5% | $2.52 |
| Milk | $2.96 | $4.22 | +42.3% | $2.51 |
| Potato chips | $4.41 | $6.58 | +49.3% | $2.17 |
| Eggs | $1.36 | $2.19 | +60.9% | $1.66 |
| Tomatoes | $1.82 | $2.49 | +36.5% | $1.33 |
| Ham | $4.15 | $5.46 | +31.6% | $1.31 |
| Chicken | $1.48 | $2.04 | +37.7% | $1.11 |
| Bread | $1.29 | $1.83 | +42.0% | $1.08 |
| Chicken breast | $3.09 | $4.17 | +34.9% | $1.08 |
| Sugar | $0.58 | $1.03 | +78.3% | $0.91 |
| Bacon | $5.81 | $6.71 | +15.5% | $0.90 |
| Pork chops | $4.02 | $4.91 | +22.0% | $0.89 |
| Lettuce | $1.11 | $1.96 | +77.3% | $0.86 |
| Rice | $0.76 | $1.07 | +40.7% | $0.62 |
| Oranges | $1.33 | $1.54 | +15.9% | $0.42 |
| Potatoes | $0.77 | $0.89 | +15.8% | $0.37 |
| Cheddar cheese | $5.33 | $5.69 | +6.7% | $0.36 |
| Bananas | $0.58 | $0.65 | +11.6% | $0.20 |
| Butter | $4.11 | $3.93 | −4.4% | $-0.18 |
| Flour | $0.45 | $0.54 | +19.8% | $0.18 |
| Spaghetti & macaroni | $1.20 | $1.37 | +14.8% | $0.18 |
| Lemons | $2.17 | $2.09 | −3.5% | $-0.15 |
Important limitations
The basket is a national fixed-weight benchmark, not an estimate of a particular household or store receipt.
Basket Report uses U.S. city-average BLS observations. Store, region, brand, package-size, and household spending patterns vary. No missing value is filled or forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Why compare the same month?
Using the same calendar month reduces seasonal distortion without estimating any missing price.
Does this measure every grocery purchase?
No. It measures the published 24-item Basket Index only.