LendingTree Food Cost Report
It cost 5.7% more to buy a typical basket of groceries in January than a month earlier, according to a LendingTree analysis of 32 commonly purchased items. Prices are 3.3% higher than three months ago and 4.5% higher than a year ago.
LendingTree reviewed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on the cost of hundreds of food items, including dairy, dry pantry items, eggs, fruits, meats, onions and potatoes, and vegetables. This helped us calculate the total cost of a typical basket of groceries for an American family.
Here’s what we found.
Key findings
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The overall cost of a typical grocery basket — including dairy, dry pantry items, eggs, fruits, meats, onions and potatoes, and vegetables — jumped by 5.7% or $4.24 (from $74.87 to $79.11) between December 2024 and January 2025. The biggest increases in our sample basket were:
- Fuji apples: Up 55.2% or $1.28 per three-pound bag
- Yellow onions: Up 32.6% or $0.76 per dry three-pound bag
- Green leaf lettuce: Up 28.7% or $0.27 each
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The overall cost of that same basket was up 3.3% or $2.53 (from $76.58 to $79.11) compared to three months earlier. The biggest increases were:
- Tomatoes: Up 64.4% or $1.05 per pound
- 80%-89% ground beef: Up 45.2% or $1.57 per pound
- Carrots: Up 36.6% or $0.26 per one-pound bag
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The overall cost of that same basket was up 4.5% or $3.42 (from $75.69 to $79.11) compared to one year earlier. The biggest increases were:
- Fresh large white eggs: Up 99.0% or $0.98 per dozen
- Tomatoes: Up 55.8% or $0.96 per pound
- Bananas: Up 35.4% or $0.17 per pound
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Separately, we tracked the biggest price increases for items across eight categories independent of popularity: beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables. The biggest price increases between December 2024 and January 2025 across this combined list were:
- Cosmic Crisp apples: Up 303.0% or $3.00 to $3.99 per three-pound bag
- Bok choy: Up 162.7% or $1.22 to $1.97 per pound
- Fresh chicken liver: Up 108.1% or $1.61 to $3.10 each
- Pink Lady/Cripps Pink apples: Up 102.6% or $1.96 to $3.87 per three-pound bag
- Organic crown-cut broccoli: Up 93.5% or $1.86 to $3.85 per pound
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We also tracked the biggest price decreases across the same eight categories. The biggest price decreases between December 2024 and January 2025 across this combined list were:
- Boneless antibiotic-free ribeye roast: Down 75.0% or $15.00 to $4.99 per pound
- Boneless ribeye roast: Down 73.4% or $11.00 to $3.99 per pound
- Tangerines/mandarins: Down 70.6% or $1.68 to $0.70 each
- Flat corned beef brisket: Down 60.1% or $6.00 to $3.99 per pound
- Tangerines/mandarins: Down 50.6% or $1.78 to $1.74 per pound
Price of typical food basket up from last month, 3 months ago and last year
There was a 5.7% monthly increase in the overall cost of our curated food basket in January.
Massive increases in the price of Fuji apples (55.2%) and yellow onions (32.6%) helped offset drops in the price of sweet corn (15.9%) and carrots (14.2%).
(Note: The list doesn’t include condiments or processed foods not tracked by the USDA or BLS.)
Popular food basket (1-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Dec. 27, 2024, and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from the months of January 2025 (the latest available) and December 2024. Notes: While most of our categories are via the USDA, pantry staples are via the BLS. The December fruit, onions/potatoes and vegetables data is from Dec. 20.
The news is a bit better when you look a little further back, though prices are still up. Prices rose 3.3% compared to three months prior, driven by large increases in tomatoes (64.4%), ground beef (45.2%) and carrots (36.6%). Broccoli (42.6%) saw the biggest decrease, while two other products saw double-digit increases.
Popular food basket (3-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Oct. 25, 2024, and BLS data from the months of January 2025 (the latest available) and October 2024. Notes: While most of our categories are via the USDA, pantry staples are via the BLS. Three-month egg prices are from Oct. 4.
Going back a year, the news isn’t great either, with prices up 4.5% or $3.42. Large white eggs saw a massive jump, spiking by 99.0%. Tomatoes (55.8%) and bananas (35.4%) also saw big price increases. Conversely, sweet corn (26.6%) had the biggest decrease.
Popular food basket (1-year change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Jan. 26, 2024, and BLS data from the months of January 2025 (the latest available) and January 2024. Note: While most of our categories are via the USDA, pantry staples are via the BLS.
Which individual food items saw their prices increase the most?
Going beyond the items we included in our “typical food basket,” we found triple-digit increases in four items in just a month. (This category is a mixed look at the top increases across eight categories.)
Cosmic Crisp apples spiked by a massive 303.0%, while bok choy, chicken livers and Pink Lady/Cripps Pink apples all rose by at least 100.0%. Eight other items saw price increases of at least 70.0%.
Biggest increases (1-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Dec. 27, 2024. Notes: The data highlights the five biggest increases, assuming a given category had five items that increased in price, across seven categories — beef, chicken, dairy, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables — and the three biggest increases for eggs. The December fruit, onions/potatoes and vegetables data is from Dec. 20.
Going back three months, sweet onions — up a stunning 165.3% — saw the biggest increase. Five other products saw increases of at least 80.0%.
Biggest increases (3-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Oct. 25, 2024. Notes: The data highlights the five biggest increases, assuming a given category had five items that increased in price, across seven categories — beef, chicken, dairy, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables — and the three biggest increases for eggs. Three-month egg prices are from Oct. 4.
When comparing today’s prices to those of a year ago, Chinese cabbage led the way, up 460.6%. That was by far the biggest increase, though three other products saw spikes of at least 100.0%.
Biggest increases (1-year change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Jan. 26, 2024. Note: The data highlights the five biggest increases, assuming a given category had five items that increased in price, across seven categories — beef, chicken, dairy, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables — and the three biggest increases for eggs.
Which individual food items saw their prices decrease the most?
While many products saw their prices skyrocket this month, plenty of others went in the opposite direction. Antibiotic-free boneless rib roast fell 75.0% during that period, while five other items fell by at least 50.0%.
Biggest decreases (1-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Dec. 27, 2024. Notes: The data highlights the five biggest decreases, assuming a given category had five items that decreased in price, across seven categories — beef, chicken, dairy, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables — and the three biggest decreases for eggs. The December fruit, onions/potatoes and vegetables data is from Dec. 20.
Going back three months, antibiotic-free fresh pork tenderloin led the way, falling 63.7%, though eggplant wasn’t far behind with a drop of 60.2%. Twelve others fell at least 40.0%.
Biggest decreases (3-month change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Oct. 25, 2024. Notes: The data highlights the five biggest decreases, assuming a given category had five items that decreased in price, across seven categories — beef, chicken, dairy, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables — and the three biggest decreases for eggs. This includes six beef items due to a tiebreaker at No. 5. Three-month egg prices are from Oct. 4.
Looking back a year, we saw 17 items whose prices fell by at least 30.0%, including four that fell by at least 50.0%. Topping the list were organic blueberries (61.0%) and eggplant (59.8%).
Biggest decreases (1-year change)
Source: LendingTree analysis of USDA data from Jan. 31, 2025 (the latest available), and Jan. 26, 2024. Note: The data highlights the five biggest increases — assuming a given category had five items that increased in price — across eight categories: beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, fruit, onions and potatoes, pork and vegetables.
How to get a handle on your grocery costs
Life is expensive, and groceries are no exception. Even if inflation completely vanished tomorrow, that would still be the case. That makes it more important than ever that you do what you can to control your grocery store expenses.
That can be easier said than done. How can you help yourself? Here are a few tips.
- Shop around. It’s old, cliched advice, but it’s still some of the best grocery advice you can receive. Where you buy can make a significant difference in the price you pay. If you don’t at least take the time to consider other stores, you’re doing yourself a disservice. That doesn’t mean you need to drive across town to save three cents on a d’Anjou pear, but you should go beyond your primary grocery store occasionally.
- Leverage credit card rewards. The right credit card, used wisely, can help you extend your grocery budget. If you want to keep it simple, a cash back card that gives you 1.5% or 2% on everything you buy can serve you well. If you’re looking for more savings, consider seeking cards that give extra rewards on grocery purchases. There are loads of options if you take the time to look.
- Make lists. This one simple action can make a real difference in your grocery bill. Going shopping with a list can change the whole vibe of the trip. You’ll no longer aimlessly seek inspiration; rather, you’ll have a specific mission and focus. That mindset can make you less susceptible to impulse purchases, which can wreck a budget.
- Apps, coupons and store brands, oh my! Deals and discounts are available if you know where to look. Mobile apps can help you find bargains. Online coupons or even the old-school paper ones can save you real money. And a willingness to forsake name brands for store brands or generics — or organic foods for nonorganics — can, too. These methods may require a little bit of legwork and searching, but they can have a real impact if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Methodology
Prices for dairy, eggs, fruit, meats (beef, chicken and pork), onions and potatoes, and vegetables are collected from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly retail reports. Except where otherwise noted, reports are for the week ending on the last Friday of the previous month. For example, current prices for our Food Cost Report published in February 2025 are from the USDA retail report dated the last Friday in January, the one-month comparison is from the report dated the last Friday in December 2024, the three-month comparison is from the report dated the last Friday in October and the one-year comparison is from the report dated the last Friday of January in the prior calendar year.
Dry pantry items in our typical food basket are via the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly “Average Retail Food and Energy Prices, U.S. City Average” report. Current prices for our Food Cost Report published in February are from the BLS report dated January, the one-month comparison is from the report dated December, the three-month comparison is from the report dated October and the one-year comparison is from the report dated January of the prior calendar year.
Some items may not be included in every USDA retail report. For our typical food basket, increases and decreases, we would use a nearby week’s report for the missing item or items.
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