How much have grocery prices gone up since 2020?
+28.6% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of groceries in 2020 costs $128.58 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much grocery prices have gone up
+1.8% in the last 12 months, +28.6% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+1.8%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+28.6%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+91.7%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19473.23%all prices 3.48%
What $100.00 of groceries in 2020 costs in September 2026
$128.58- Grocery prices since 2020
- +28.6%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 1.6 points
Grocery prices against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Grocery prices have risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
Grocery prices by year
| Year | Grocery prices | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +1.8% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +2.4% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +1.8% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +1.3% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +11.8% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +6.5% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +3.9% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +0.7% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +0.6% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | +0.9% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | -2.0% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | -0.4% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +3.7% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +0.4% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +1.3% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +6.0% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +1.7% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | -2.4% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | +6.6% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +5.6% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +1.4% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +1.7% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +2.4% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | +4.5% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | +0.8% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | +2.6% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +2.9% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +1.7% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +2.1% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +1.0% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +4.9% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +2.0% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +3.5% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +3.5% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +1.5% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +1.3% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +5.8% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +6.2% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +5.6% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +3.5% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +3.7% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +2.0% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +3.6% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +1.8% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +2.3% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +2.9% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +10.5% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +9.7% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +12.5% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +7.9% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | -0.8% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +6.2% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +12.4% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +22.0% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +5.1% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | +4.3% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +1.3% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +7.1% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +4.0% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +0.3% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +3.2% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | +3.6% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +1.5% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | -1.6% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | +3.2% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | -1.3% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +1.9% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +3.0% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +2.7% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | -1.0% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | -2.3% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | -1.6% | +0.7% |
| 1952 | -1.3% | +0.8% |
| 1951 | +7.6% | +6.0% |
| 1950 | +9.5% | +5.9% |
| 1949 | -3.7% | -2.1% |
| 1948 | -1.1% | +3.0% |
| 1947 | — | +8.8% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SAF11: Food bought in stores to eat at home (BLS “food at home”). Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1973 (+22.0%), 1978 (+12.5%), 1974 (+12.4%).
- Largest falls: 1949 (-3.7%), 2009 (-2.4%), 1954 (-2.3%).
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Grocery prices inflation since 1947. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/grocery-prices/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/grocery-prices/">Grocery prices inflation since 1947</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for grocery prices now?
1.8% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did grocery prices rise the most?
In 1973: +22.0% from December to December. Next were 1978 (+12.5%) and 1974 (+12.4%).
Have grocery prices risen faster than inflation?
No: since 2000 grocery prices have changed +91.7%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1947 the average is 3.23% a year, against 3.48% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for food bought in stores to eat at home (BLS “food at home”) (series CUUR0000SAF11, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1947, refreshed after each monthly release.