Inflation may not be taking such a huge chunk out of your wallet anymore, but prices are still rising -- especially at the grocery store.
The Consumer Price Index, which measures the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services, rose by its lowest margin in the three years last month, shooting up just 2.4% in the 12-month period that ended in September. It's the smallest increase since February 2021, when prices first started to skyrocket following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
But while things like gas and vehicle prices are down, the cost of food is up.
The index for food at home rose 1.3% over the last 12 months. Meats, poultry, fish and eggs saw the biggest increase at 3.9%, followed by nonalcoholic beverages at 1.3%. Over the same period, the cost of fruits and vegetables rose 0.7% and other food at home increased 0.4%. Dairy and related products increased 0.5%, while cereals and bakery products index increased 0.1% over the year.
Price Changes for Common Grocery Items Over the Last Year
• Eggs - grade A, dozen
Sept. 2024 -- $3.82
Sept. 2023 -- $2.06
Difference -- up $1.76
• Ground Beef - per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $5.67
Sept. 2023 -- $5.10
Difference -- up 57¢
• Beef Steaks - per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $10.88
Sept. 2023 -- $10.77
Difference -- up 11¢
• Chicken - boneless, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $3.97
Sept. 2023 -- $4.22
Difference -- down 25¢
• Bacon - sliced, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $6.95
Sept. 2023 -- $7.08
Difference -- down 13¢
• Pork - excluding canned ham and luncheon slices, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $3.71
Sept. 2023 -- $3.62
Difference -- up 9¢
• Ham - Boneless, excluding canned, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $5.63
Sept. 2023 -- $5.88
Difference -- down 25¢
• Butter - stick, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $5.00
Sept. 2023 -- $4.40
Difference -- up 60¢
• Milk - whole, per gallon
Sept. 2024 -- $4.02
Sept. 2023 -- $3.96
Difference -- up 6¢
• American Cheese - per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $4.95
Sept. 2023 -- $4.76
Difference -- up 19¢
• Yogurt - per 8 ounces
Sept. 2024 -- $1.70
Sept. 2023 -- $1.55
Difference -- up 15¢
• Ice Cream - per one-half gallon
Sept. 2024 -- $6.33
Sept. 2023 -- $5.95
Difference -- up 38¢
• Bread - white, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.97
Sept. 2023 -- $1.97
Difference -- no change
• Bread - wheat, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $2.74
Sept. 2023 -- $2.53
Difference -- up 21¢
• Flour - all purpose, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $0.57
Sept. 2023 -- $0.56
Difference -- up 1¢
• Rice - white, long grain
Sept. 2024 -- $1.07
Sept. 2023 -- $0.98
Difference -- up 9¢
• Spaghetti and Macaroni - per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.43
Sept. 2023 -- $1.41
Difference -- up 2¢
• Sugar -- white, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.00
Sept. 2023 -- $0.97
Difference -- up 3¢
• Coffee -- ground roast, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $6.47
Sept. 2023 -- $6.08
Difference -- up 39¢
• Carbonated Drinks - cost per 12 ounces
Sept. 2024 -- $0.57
Sept. 2023 -- $0.55
Difference -- up 2¢
• Bananas - per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $0.61
Sept. 2023 -- $0.62
Difference -- down 1¢
• Oranges - navel, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.73
Sept. 2023 -- $1.63
Difference -- up 10¢
• Tomatoes - field grown, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.93
Sept. 2023 -- $1.84
Difference -- up 9¢
• Lettuce- iceberg, per pound
Sept. 2024 -- $1.43
Sept. 2023 -- $1.66
Difference -- down 23¢