Milk, whole, fortified
Current U.S. milk price per gallon
U.S. city average · August 2026
A gallon of whole milk cost an average of $4.23 in August 2026; down 1.9% from last month; up 1.4% from last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data.
Chart shown: July 1995 – August 2026 · Full series: July 1995 – August 2026 (373 observations) · Source: BLS series APU0000709112.
Milk prices fell 1.9% from July to August 2026. Milk prices are 1.4% higher than a year ago. Prices remain below the June 2026 peak of $4.32 but well above the 1995 level of $2.48.
Every historical year is consolidated into one complete archive with annual averages, monthly prices, and inflation-adjusted values.
From milk to the full grocery basket
Milk reduced August’s basket change by $0.17.
What drives the price of milk
Retail milk prices track the farm price of raw milk, which depends on the size of the dairy herd, how much each cow produces, and feed costs. Because milk is produced continuously and is highly perishable, prices can shift as supply and demand move through the year. Federal milk marketing orders and dairy programs also shape what farmers are paid, which feeds through to the carton.
BLS series APU0000709112 tracks the average retail price of milk, whole, fortified at the U.S. city average, measured per gallon and reported monthly back to 1995.
Background: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service — Dairy. Price data: BLS series APU0000709112.
Milk price FAQ
How much does a gallon of milk cost right now?
As of August 2026, milk averaged $4.23 per gallon at the national U.S. city average, per BLS CPI Average Price Data.
Are milk prices going down in 2026?
The latest 2026 BLS reading shows milk prices down 1.9% versus the prior month and up 1.4% versus a year ago (August 2026).
What is the highest price milk has reached?
The record high is $4.32 per gallon, set in June 2026; the record low is $2.46 in September 1995.
How much is a pint of milk?
Using the BLS whole-milk average of $4.23 per U.S. gallon for August 2026, the calculated price equivalents are about $0.53 per pint, $1.06 per quart and $2.11 per half-gallon. A U.S. gallon contains 8 pints or 4 quarts. These are proportional conversions of the gallon average, not observed retail prices for smaller packages; actual package prices can differ.
Where does this milk 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 milk cost in 2001?
In 2001, milk averaged $2.85 per gallon at the U.S. city average — versus $4.23 today (August 2026), about 48% higher now.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average milk price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved September 11, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/milk/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000709112. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/milk/">Average milk price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000709112; retrieved September 11, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average milk price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/milk/