THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX
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Explainer

Are grocery prices rising faster than restaurant prices?

No, not in the latest data. Restaurant prices are rising faster than Basket Report’s fixed grocery basket and the broader BLS food-at-home index.

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

Restaurant prices are rising faster right now.

BLS food away from home is up 3.5% year over year through May 2026, compared with +0.1% for Basket Report’s fixed grocery basket.

+3.5% food away from home YoY

The latest comparison

Through May 2026, Basket Report’s fixed 24-item grocery basket is +0.1% year over year. BLS food away from home, which covers restaurant, cafeteria and similar meals, is up 3.5% over the same period. BLS food at home is up 2.7%.

Why the measures differ

The Basket Index is a fixed set of 24 staple grocery prices, reported in dollars. BLS food at home and food away from home are CPI indexes that cover broader categories. Restaurant prices include labor, rent, service, utilities and margins in addition to food inputs, so they can keep rising even when grocery-store staples flatten.

Longer comparison since 2019

Since January 2019, the BLS food away from home index is up 40.8%, while BLS food at home is up 33.0%. Basket Report’s current 24-item basket is about 45% above its 2019 average, so the answer depends on the period and measure. The latest year-over-year answer is restaurants are rising faster.

Frequently asked questions

Are restaurant prices rising faster than grocery prices right now?

Yes. Through May 2026, BLS food away from home is up 3.5% year over year, while Basket Report’s fixed grocery basket is +0.1%.

Is food away from home the same as restaurants?

It is the BLS CPI category covering restaurant, cafeteria, vending and similar food purchased away from home.

Why compare with BLS food at home too?

BLS food at home is the broad CPI grocery category. It is up 2.7% year over year, while Basket Report’s fixed basket gives a dollar-price view of 24 staple items.

Sources and methodology

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

Compare grocery prices directly

Use Basket Report for item-level grocery prices and the fixed 24-item basket.

See all item prices