THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX
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Explainer

Are grocery prices higher than in 2019?

Yes. Using the same fixed 24-item basket, grocery prices are about 45% higher than the 2019 average before inflation adjustment.

  • 1 min read
  • Updated May 2026
  • BLS-based
Quick answer

Yes. The same grocery basket costs materially more than it did in 2019.

The current 24-item basket is $111.46 versus a 2019 average of $76.84, calculated from the same fixed weights and BLS average-price series.

+45% vs. 2019 nominal average

Direct comparison

The comparison uses the exact same Basket Report fixed weights and the same BLS item series used in the current Grocery Basket Price Index. In 2019, that 24-item basket averaged $76.84. In May 2026, it is $111.46, a dollar increase of $34.62 and a nominal increase of about 45%.

What drove the increase

The largest dollar contributors versus the 2019 average are ground beef, coffee and orange juice. Those are weighted basket contributions, so a high-priced item with a larger basket quantity moves the total more than a low-weight item with the same percentage change.

Inflation-adjusted context

Nominal dollars are the shelf-price comparison. Adjusted with CPI-U to 2026 dollars, the 2019 basket would be about $100.73. That means today's $111.46 basket is about 11% higher even after broad inflation adjustment. The result is a historical comparison, not a forecast.

Frequently asked questions

Does this use the same Basket Index weights?

Yes. The comparison uses the same fixed 24 food-item weights used in the current Grocery Basket Price Index. Beer and wine are tracked reference series and are not included in the basket calculation.

Is the 2019 comparison nominal or inflation-adjusted?

Both are shown. The nominal 2019 basket averaged $76.84; adjusted with CPI-U to 2026 dollars it is about $100.73.

Which items contributed most to the increase?

Ground beef, Coffee and Orange juice are the largest weighted contributors versus the 2019 average.

Sources and methodology

Reviewed May 2026 · Source data is independently analyzed by Basket Report and does not imply BLS endorsement.

See the full basket history

Open the Basket Index for the month-by-month chart, downloads, and methodology.

See all item prices