EGGS $2.19/doz ▼2.6%MILK $4.22/gal ▲2.0%BREAD $1.83/lb ▼2.1%FLOUR $0.54/lb ▲0.2%RICE $1.07/lb ▼0.5%SPAGHETTI & MACARONI $1.37/lb ▲2.3%GROUND BEEF $6.75/lb ▼2.2%CHICKEN $2.04/lb ▲0.5%CHICKEN BREAST $4.17/lb ▲0.1%BACON $6.71/lb ▼1.7%HAM $5.46/lb ▲1.0%PORK CHOPS $4.91/lb ▲6.7%TOMATOES $2.49/lb ▼7.4%POTATOES $0.89/lb ▲4.0%LETTUCE $1.96/lb ▲20.6%BANANAS $0.65/lb ▼1.2%ORANGES $1.54/lb ▲2.5%LEMONS $2.09/lb ▲2.9%COFFEE $9.51/lb ▼2.2%SUGAR $1.03/lb ▲2.8%BUTTER $3.93/lb ▼6.8%CHEDDAR CHEESE $5.69/lb ▼5.7%ORANGE JUICE $4.97/16oz ▲1.4%POTATO CHIPS $6.58/16oz ▼2.5%EGGS $2.19/doz ▼2.6%MILK $4.22/gal ▲2.0%BREAD $1.83/lb ▼2.1%FLOUR $0.54/lb ▲0.2%RICE $1.07/lb ▼0.5%SPAGHETTI & MACARONI $1.37/lb ▲2.3%GROUND BEEF $6.75/lb ▼2.2%CHICKEN $2.04/lb ▲0.5%CHICKEN BREAST $4.17/lb ▲0.1%BACON $6.71/lb ▼1.7%HAM $5.46/lb ▲1.0%PORK CHOPS $4.91/lb ▲6.7%TOMATOES $2.49/lb ▼7.4%POTATOES $0.89/lb ▲4.0%LETTUCE $1.96/lb ▲20.6%BANANAS $0.65/lb ▼1.2%ORANGES $1.54/lb ▲2.5%LEMONS $2.09/lb ▲2.9%COFFEE $9.51/lb ▼2.2%SUGAR $1.03/lb ▲2.8%BUTTER $3.93/lb ▼6.8%CHEDDAR CHEESE $5.69/lb ▼5.7%ORANGE JUICE $4.97/16oz ▲1.4%POTATO CHIPS $6.58/16oz ▼2.5%

THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

Why are beef prices still high?

Ground beef averaged $6.75 per pound in May 2026, +12.8% from a year ago and 2% below its all-time high of $6.90 (April 2026). Unlike eggs, beef has not had a sharp pullback.

The reason is the cattle cycle. Years of drought raised feed costs and pushed ranchers to shrink herds; the U.S. cattle inventory is near multi-decade lows. Rebuilding a herd takes years because a rancher who keeps heifers to breed is pulling animals out of the beef supply today to make more beef later. Fewer cattle now means tight supply and firm prices, which is why beef stays elevated even as some other groceries ease.

Every figure here is the BLS average retail price, tracked monthly since January 1984.

Frequently asked

How much does ground beef cost right now?

100% ground beef averaged $6.75 per pound at the U.S. city average in May 2026, per BLS data.

Why is beef so expensive?

Drought and high feed costs shrank U.S. cattle herds to multi-decade lows. Rebuilding takes years, so supply stays tight and prices firm — beef is +12.8% year over year.

Will beef prices come down?

Beef prices ease only as herds rebuild, which is slow. As of May 2026 ground beef is −2.2% month over month.