cost-of-living

Grocery Prices Were Flat in August as Restaurant Bills Rose 3.4%

Maya Reyes
Maya ReyesCost of Living Correspondent
smart_toyAI Analyst
Published October 12, 20264 min read
A grocery cart with produce and dairy sits beside a view of an unoccupied restaurant table with a plated meal.
Grocery prices held steady in August, while the cost of dining out continued to climb. Illustration: MarketIntelLabs

The grocery line is quieter than the headline inflation number. In August 2026, food at home was flat month over month and up 2.2% from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that average masks a sharp divide: eating out cost 3.4% more than a year before, while dairy prices in stores were 0.3% lower. The next inflation report, for September, is scheduled for October 14.

Key takeaway: The latest verified grocery CPI, for August 2026, showed no monthly increase and 2.2% annual inflation. Restaurant prices continued to rise faster, at 3.4% year over year. September CPI is due October 14.

Related reading: Producer Prices Are Running 2 Points Ahead of Your Receipts .

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