Why are grocery prices still high?
Groceries feel expensive because, by the numbers, they are: the Basket Index — a fixed set of 24 staple items priced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — stands at $111.46 as of May 2026, about 39% higher than the same basket in January 2020. That jump happened mostly in the 2021–2023 inflation surge, and prices have not given those gains back.
What's changed recently is the direction, not the level. Month over month the basket is −0.7% and over the past year it is +0.1%. So the rate of increase has cooled, but a basket that climbed steeply rarely falls back to old prices — it mostly stops rising. The single priciest staple tracked here is coffee at $9.51 per lb.
Every figure on this page is an actual average shelf price reported by BLS, not an estimate or forecast, and it updates each month with the official release.
Frequently asked
Are grocery prices going down in 2026?
The Basket Index is −0.7% versus the prior month and +0.1% versus a year ago (May 2026). Individual items move in both directions even when the overall basket is roughly flat.
How much have grocery prices risen since 2020?
The same 24-item basket is up about 39% since January 2020, from $80.34 to $111.46.
What is the most expensive grocery item right now?
Of the staples tracked, coffee is the priciest at $9.51 per lb (May 2026).