American Cheese
Average American Cheese Price per Pound
U.S. city average · June 2026
American cheese averaged $4.63 per pound in June 2026, up 1.2% from last month and down 8.2% from last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data.
Chart shown: June 2021 – June 2026 · Full series: January 1984 – June 2026 (489 observations) · Source: BLS series APU0000710211.
Recent american cheese price history
| Month | Price | Vs. prior month | Vs. year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | $4.63 | ▲ 1.2% | ▼ 8.2% |
| May 2026 | $4.57 | ▼ 2.5% | ▼ 9.7% |
| April 2026 | $4.69 | ▼ 1.9% | ▼ 6.0% |
| March 2026 | $4.78 | ▲ 2.2% | ▼ 3.3% |
| February 2026 | $4.68 | ▼ 3.4% | ▼ 6.9% |
| January 2026 | $4.85 | ▲ 2.3% | ▼ 4.2% |
| December 2025 | $4.73 | ▲ 0.2% | ▼ 5.0% |
| November 2025 | $4.73 | — | ▼ 4.4% |
| September 2025 | $4.93 | ▼ 1.7% | ▼ 0.5% |
| August 2025 | $5.01 | ▲ 2.1% | ▲ 3.4% |
| July 2025 | $4.91 | ▼ 2.6% | ▲ 0.7% |
| June 2025 | $5.04 | ▼ 0.5% | ▲ 1.9% |
| May 2025 | $5.06 | ▲ 1.5% | ▲ 5.1% |
| April 2025 | $4.99 | ▲ 0.8% | ▲ 4.4% |
| March 2025 | $4.95 | ▼ 1.6% | ▲ 1.9% |
| February 2025 | $5.03 | ▼ 0.6% | ▲ 5.4% |
| January 2025 | $5.06 | ▲ 1.5% | ▲ 3.1% |
| December 2024 | $4.98 | ▲ 0.9% | ▲ 0.5% |
American cheese prices rose 1.2% from May to June 2026 and are 8.2% lower than a year ago. Prices remain below the May 2025 peak of $5.06 but well above their 1984 level of $2.49.
From american cheese to the full grocery basket
American cheese is a reference price series and is not weighted into the 24-item Basket Index.
American Cheese vs. Cheddar cheese
In June 2026, american cheese averaged $4.63 per pound and cheddar cheese averaged $5.96 per pound. The difference was $1.33 per pound (22.4%).
Methodology and source
BLS describes series APU0000710211 as “American processed cheese, per lb.” This processed American cheese series is distinct from the natural cheddar cheese series and does not identify a brand, slice format, or fat level. BLS reports the U.S. city average on a monthly publication schedule. The latest valid observation on this page is June 2026; data were retrieved 2026-08-01 via the BLS Public Data API.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Average Price Data, series APU0000710211.
American Cheese price FAQ
What is the average price of American cheese per pound?
American processed cheese averaged $4.63 per pound in June 2026 at the U.S. city average, according to BLS series APU0000710211.
Is American cheese cheaper than cheddar cheese?
American processed cheese and natural cheddar are distinct BLS series. This page links to the cheddar price series but does not treat the products as interchangeable.
Does BLS track sliced American cheese?
BLS labels series APU0000710211 “American processed cheese, per lb.” It does not identify the published average as a sliced-cheese-only series.
Are American cheese prices higher than last year?
The June 2026 American cheese average was down 8.2% from the same month a year earlier and up 1.2% from the prior month.
What is processed American cheese?
This page uses the BLS category label “American processed cheese” to distinguish it from the separate natural cheddar series; it does not provide nutritional or health guidance.
How often is the American cheese price updated?
BLS publishes this U.S. city-average series monthly. Basket Report currently shows June 2026, the latest valid observation.
How much did american cheese cost in 2001?
In 2001, american cheese averaged $3.67 per pound at the U.S. city average — versus $4.63 today (June 2026), about 26% higher now.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average american cheese price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved August 1, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/american-cheese/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/american-cheese/">Average american cheese price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710211; retrieved August 1, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average american cheese price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/american-cheese/