Ground beef, 100% beef
Ground beef prices
U.S. city average · August 2026
Ground beef averaged $6.92 per pound in August 2026; up 0.6% from last month; up 9.6% from last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data.
Chart shown: January 1984 – August 2026 · Full series: January 1984 – August 2026 (510 observations) · Source: BLS series APU0000703112.
Ground beef prices rose 0.6% from July to August 2026. Ground beef prices are 9.6% higher than a year ago. Prices remain above the August 2026 high of $6.92 and well above the 1984 level of $1.29.
Why are beef prices still high? →
Every historical year is consolidated into one complete archive with annual averages, monthly prices, and inflation-adjusted values.
From ground beef to the full grocery basket
Ground beef added $0.08 to August’s basket change.
Ground beef vs. Steak
In August 2026, ground beef averaged $6.92 per pound and steak averaged $12.81 per pound. The difference was $5.89 per pound (46.0%).
What drives the price of ground beef
Beef prices move with the multi-year “cattle cycle.” Because a steer takes roughly two years to reach slaughter weight, ranchers cannot quickly add supply when prices rise. Drought is a major swing factor: when pasture dries out, ranchers cull herds — which can briefly lower prices but tightens supply, and raises prices, for years afterward as the herd is slowly rebuilt. The cost of feed grain in the feedlot adds a second layer on top of the cycle.
BLS series APU0000703112 tracks the average retail price of ground beef, 100% beef at the U.S. city average, measured per pound and reported monthly back to 1984.
Background: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service — Cattle & Beef. Price data: BLS series APU0000703112.
Ground beef price FAQ
How much does a pound of ground beef cost right now?
As of August 2026, ground beef averaged $6.92 per pound at the national U.S. city average, per BLS CPI Average Price Data.
Are ground beef prices going down in 2026?
The latest 2026 BLS reading shows ground beef prices up 0.6% versus the prior month and up 9.6% versus a year ago (August 2026).
What is the highest price ground beef has reached?
The record high is $6.92 per pound, set in August 2026; the record low is $1.17 in June 1986.
How much does one ounce of ground beef cost?
A pound contains 16 ounces, so at the latest $6.92 per pound, one ounce of 100% ground beef costs about $0.43.
Where does this ground beef price data come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Average Price Data program, retrieved via the BLS Public Data API. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.
How much did ground beef cost in 2001?
In 2001, ground beef averaged $1.69 per pound at the U.S. city average — versus $6.92 today (August 2026), about 309% higher now.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average ground beef price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved September 11, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/ground-beef/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000703112. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/ground-beef/">Average ground beef price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000703112; retrieved September 11, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average ground beef price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/ground-beef/