{ "source": { "name": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Average Price Data (series AP), U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted", "data_month": "September 2026", "period": "2026-09", "retrieved": "2026-10-26", "api": "https://api.bls.gov/publicAPI/v1/timeseries/data/", "url": "https://www.bls.gov/cpi/factsheets/average-prices.htm", "series_lookup": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/", "series_ids": [ "APU0000708111", "APU0000702111", "APU0000701312", "APU0000714233", "APU0000709112", "APU0000706111", "APU0000FF1101", "APU0000706212", "APU0000703112", "APU0000711211", "APU0000711311", "APU0000712112", "APU0000712311", "APU0000714221", "APU0000701322", "APU0000701111", "APU0000715211", "APU0000710212", "APU0000FS1101", "APU0000FJ4101", "APU0000712211", "APU0000710211", "APU0000704312", "APU0000FN1101", "APU0000FJ1101", "APU0000717311", "APU0000710411", "APU0000FC3101", "APU0000FD3101", "APU0000704111", "APU0000FC2101" ], "notes": [ "Prices are national (U.S. city average) averages of retail prices; actual prices vary by region, store, brand, and package size.", "BLS did not publish October 2025 average prices due to the 2025 lapse in appropriations; this does not affect the September 2026 figures used here.", "Values are exactly as published by BLS; nothing was estimated.", "Drinks: fountain soft drinks are priced as BLS 'All soft drinks, per 2 liters' by cup volume (cup size includes ice, so this overstates the home cost). Milk cartons use BLS low-fat milk per gallon. Hot brewed coffee uses BLS ground coffee at 55 g per liter (SCA ratio). Vanilla shakes use BLS ice cream + low-fat milk. Juice, tea, lemonade, specialty coffee, smoothies and candy-mix desserts have no BLS price and stay 'still in your bill'." ], "regional": { "note": "BLS regional (Census region) average prices for September 2026, used in the shopping list when a ZIP puts you in that region. Items without a regional September 2026 value fall back to the U.S. city average. The headline and share images always use the U.S. city average.", "regions": { "0100": "Northeast", "0200": "Midwest", "0300": "South", "0400": "West" }, "items_with_regional_price": { "Northeast": 9, "Midwest": 10, "South": 24, "West": 15 }, "zip_to_region": "By the first three ZIP digits (approximate Census region)." } }, "items": [ { "key": "eggs", "name": "Eggs", "bls_item": "Eggs, grade A, large, per doz.", "series_id": "APU0000708111", "unit": "dozen", "unit_label": "dozen eggs", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 2.272, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000708111", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 12, "serving": "1 large egg (50 g)", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Eggs (all sizes) 50 g / 1 large" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300708111", "price_usd": 2.368 } } }, { "key": "bread", "name": "White bread", "bls_item": "Bread, white, pan, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000702111", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of white bread", "category": "grains", "price_usd": 1.83, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000702111", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 9, "serving": "50 g (about 1–2 slices)", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Breads 50 g; 453.6 g / 50 g = 9.07, rounded down" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300702111", "price_usd": 1.748 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400702111", "price_usd": 2.115 } } }, { "key": "rice", "name": "White rice", "bls_item": "Rice, white, long grain, uncooked, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000701312", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of rice", "category": "grains", "price_usd": 1.118, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000701312", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 10, "serving": "45 g dry (about 1 cup cooked)", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Grains, e.g., rice, plain: 140 g prepared; 45 g dry. 453.6/45 = 10.08" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300701312", "price_usd": 1.218 } } }, { "key": "beans", "name": "Dried beans", "bls_item": "Beans, dried, any type, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000714233", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of dried beans", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 1.669, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000714233", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 12, "serving": "35 g dry", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Beans, plain: 35 g dry. 453.6/35 = 12.96, rounded down" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300714233", "price_usd": 1.752 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400714233", "price_usd": 1.372 } } }, { "key": "milk", "name": "Whole milk", "bls_item": "Milk, fresh, whole, fortified, per gal. (3.8 lit)", "series_id": "APU0000709112", "unit": "gal", "unit_label": "gallons of milk", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 4.106, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000709112", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 15, "serving": "1 cup (240 mL)", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Milk 240 mL; 3,785 mL / 240 = 15.8, rounded down" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300709112", "price_usd": 3.901 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400709112", "price_usd": 4.621 } } }, { "key": "chicken_whole", "name": "Whole chicken", "bls_item": "Chicken, fresh, whole, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000706111", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of whole chicken", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 2.064, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000706111", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100706111", "price_usd": 2.148 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200706111", "price_usd": 2.149 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300706111", "price_usd": 1.947 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400706111", "price_usd": 2.177 } } }, { "key": "chicken_breast", "name": "Boneless chicken breast", "bls_item": "Chicken breast, boneless, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FF1101", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of chicken breast", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 4.203, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FF1101", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100FF1101", "price_usd": 3.957 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200FF1101", "price_usd": 3.84 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FF1101", "price_usd": 4.146 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400FF1101", "price_usd": 4.739 } } }, { "key": "chicken_legs", "name": "Chicken legs (bone-in)", "bls_item": "Chicken legs, bone-in, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000706212", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of chicken legs", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 1.739, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000706212", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300706212", "price_usd": 1.744 } } }, { "key": "ground_beef", "name": "Ground beef", "bls_item": "Ground beef, 100% beef, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000703112", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of ground beef", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 6.792, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000703112", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100703112", "price_usd": 7.016 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200703112", "price_usd": 6.753 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300703112", "price_usd": 6.501 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400703112", "price_usd": 6.926 } } }, { "key": "bananas", "name": "Bananas", "bls_item": "Bananas, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000711211", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of bananas", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 0.656, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000711211", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100711211", "price_usd": 0.689 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200711211", "price_usd": 0.625 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300711211", "price_usd": 0.616 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400711211", "price_usd": 0.725 } } }, { "key": "oranges", "name": "Navel oranges", "bls_item": "Oranges, Navel, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000711311", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of oranges", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 1.723, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000711311", "regional": { "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200711311", "price_usd": 1.875 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300711311", "price_usd": 1.697 } } }, { "key": "potatoes", "name": "White potatoes", "bls_item": "Potatoes, white, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000712112", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of potatoes", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 0.989, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000712112", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100712112", "price_usd": 1.011 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200712112", "price_usd": 0.873 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300712112", "price_usd": 1.027 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400712112", "price_usd": 1.006 } } }, { "key": "tomatoes", "name": "Tomatoes", "bls_item": "Tomatoes, field grown, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000712311", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of tomatoes", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 1.992, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000712311", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100712311", "price_usd": 2.603 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200712311", "price_usd": 2.031 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300712311", "price_usd": 2.006 } } }, { "key": "canned_corn", "name": "Canned corn", "bls_item": "Corn, canned, any style, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000714221", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of canned corn", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 1.321, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000714221", "regional": {} }, { "key": "pasta", "name": "Spaghetti & macaroni", "bls_item": "Spaghetti and macaroni, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000701322", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of pasta", "category": "grains", "price_usd": 1.375, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000701322", "servings": { "servings_per_unit": 8, "serving": "2 oz (56 g) dry", "basis": "21 CFR 101.12 RACC: Pastas, plain: 55 g dry / 2 oz (56 g) for dry bulk products like spaghetti. 16 oz / 2 oz = 8" }, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300701322", "price_usd": 1.283 } } }, { "key": "flour", "name": "All-purpose flour", "bls_item": "Flour, white, all purpose, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000701111", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of flour", "category": "pantry", "price_usd": 0.545, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000701111", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300701111", "price_usd": 0.486 } } }, { "key": "sugar", "name": "White sugar", "bls_item": "Sugar, white, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000715211", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of sugar", "category": "pantry", "price_usd": 1.019, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000715211", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300715211", "price_usd": 1.061 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400715211", "price_usd": 0.994 } } }, { "key": "cheddar", "name": "Cheddar cheese", "bls_item": "Cheddar cheese, natural, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000710212", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of cheddar", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 6.133, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000710212", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300710212", "price_usd": 5.533 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400710212", "price_usd": 7.551 } } }, { "key": "butter", "name": "Butter (sticks)", "bls_item": "Butter, stick, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FS1101", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of butter", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 3.959, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FS1101", "regional": {} }, { "key": "yogurt", "name": "Yogurt", "bls_item": "Yogurt, per 8 oz. (226.8 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FJ4101", "unit": "8 oz", "unit_label": "8-oz cups of yogurt", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 1.578, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FJ4101", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FJ4101", "price_usd": 1.661 } } }, { "key": "lettuce", "name": "Iceberg lettuce", "bls_item": "Lettuce, iceberg, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000712211", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of iceberg lettuce", "category": "produce", "price_usd": 1.636, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000712211", "regional": {} }, { "key": "american_cheese", "name": "American cheese", "bls_item": "American processed cheese, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000710211", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of American cheese", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 4.737, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000710211", "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300710211", "price_usd": 4.475 } } }, { "key": "ham", "name": "Boneless ham", "bls_item": "Ham, boneless, excluding canned, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000704312", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of boneless ham", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 5.45, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000704312", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100704312", "price_usd": 5.192 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200704312", "price_usd": 5.633 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300704312", "price_usd": 5.451 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400704312", "price_usd": 5.464 } } }, { "key": "soft_drinks", "name": "Soft drinks (2-liter bottle)", "bls_item": "All soft drinks, per 2 liters (67.6 oz)", "series_id": "APU0000FN1101", "unit": "2 L bottle", "unit_label": "2-liter bottles of soda", "category": "drinks", "price_usd": 2.273, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FN1101", "fl_oz_per_unit": 67.6, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FN1101", "price_usd": 1.944 } } }, { "key": "milk_lowfat", "name": "Low-fat milk", "bls_item": "Milk, fresh, low-fat, reduced fat, skim, per gal. (3.8 lit)", "series_id": "APU0000FJ1101", "unit": "gal", "unit_label": "gallons of low-fat milk", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 3.59, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FJ1101", "fl_oz_per_unit": 128, "regional": { "West": { "series_id": "APU0400FJ1101", "price_usd": 3.619 } } }, { "key": "coffee", "name": "Ground coffee", "bls_item": "Coffee, 100%, ground roast, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000717311", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "pounds of ground coffee", "category": "drinks", "price_usd": 9.332, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000717311", "brew": { "grams_per_liter": 55, "basis": "Specialty Coffee Association brewing ratio, 55 g of ground coffee per liter of water; 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL, 1 lb = 453.6 g", "lb_per_fl_oz": 0.003586 } }, { "key": "ice_cream", "name": "Ice cream (half gallon)", "bls_item": "Ice cream, prepackaged, bulk, regular, per 1/2 gal. (1.9 lit)", "series_id": "APU0000710411", "unit": "½ gal", "unit_label": "half-gallons of ice cream", "category": "dairy", "price_usd": 5.931, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000710411", "fl_oz_per_unit": 64, "regional": { "South": { "series_id": "APU0300710411", "price_usd": 5.448 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400710411", "price_usd": 7.137 } } }, { "key": "beef_steak", "name": "Beef steak", "bls_item": "All Uncooked Beef Steaks, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FC3101", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of beef steak", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 12.69, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FC3101", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100FC3101", "price_usd": 11.67 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200FC3101", "price_usd": 13.019 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FC3101", "price_usd": 12.621 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400FC3101", "price_usd": 13.382 } } }, { "key": "pork_chops", "name": "Boneless pork (pork chops)", "bls_item": "All Pork Chops, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FD3101", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of pork", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 4.219, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FD3101", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100FD3101", "price_usd": 4.223 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200FD3101", "price_usd": 4.444 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FD3101", "price_usd": 4.138 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400FD3101", "price_usd": 4.192 } } }, { "key": "bacon", "name": "Bacon", "bls_item": "Bacon, sliced, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000704111", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of sliced bacon", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 6.756, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000704111", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100704111", "price_usd": 7.926 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200704111", "price_usd": 6.504 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300704111", "price_usd": 6.188 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400704111", "price_usd": 7.014 } } }, { "key": "beef_roast", "name": "Beef roast", "bls_item": "All Uncooked Beef Roasts, per lb. (453.6 gm)", "series_id": "APU0000FC2101", "unit": "lb", "unit_label": "lb of beef roast", "category": "protein", "price_usd": 9.097, "period": "2026-09", "series_url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/APU0000FC2101", "regional": { "Northeast": { "series_id": "APU0100FC2101", "price_usd": 9.039 }, "Midwest": { "series_id": "APU0200FC2101", "price_usd": 9.003 }, "South": { "series_id": "APU0300FC2101", "price_usd": 9.051 }, "West": { "series_id": "APU0400FC2101", "price_usd": 9.264 } } } ], "unavailable": [ { "series_id": "APU0000711111", "bls_item": "Apples, Red Delicious, per lb.", "reason": "No data returned for 2025–2026 (series not currently published); omitted." }, { "series_id": "APU0000716141", "bls_item": "Peanut butter, creamy, all sizes, per lb.", "reason": "No data returned for 2025–2026; omitted." }, { "series_id": "APU0000712401", "bls_item": "Cabbage, per lb.", "reason": "No data returned for 2025–2026; omitted." }, { "series_id": "APU0000712406", "bls_item": "Peppers, sweet, per lb.", "reason": "No 2026 data; only a blank Oct 2025 entry; omitted." }, { "item": "Frozen vegetables", "reason": "No current U.S. city average frozen-vegetable series found in AP data; omitted (canned corn included instead)." }, { "series_id": "APU0000713111", "bls_item": "Orange juice, frozen concentrate, 12 oz. can, per 16 oz.", "reason": "Latest published value is July 2026, no September 2026 value; orange juice and juice boxes stay 'still in your bill'." }, { "series_id": "APU0000704211", "bls_item": "Sausage, fresh, loose, per lb.", "reason": "Latest published value is May 2026, no September 2026 value; not used." } ], "conversions": [ { "key": "eggs", "text": "1 dozen = 12 eggs", "type": "definition" }, { "key": "milk", "text": "1 gallon = 16 cups (128 fl oz)", "type": "definition" }, { "key": "bread", "text": "Many store loaves of white sandwich bread are 20 oz (1.25 lb), so a 20-oz loaf at the BLS per-lb price ≈ 1.25 × per-lb price", "type": "ASSUMPTION — loaf sizes vary (16–24 oz); BLS prices bread per lb" }, { "key": "all_per_lb", "text": "BLS 'per lb' prices are normalized to 453.6 g; package sizes in stores vary", "type": "definition" } ], "servings_note": "Servings use FDA Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACC), 21 CFR 101.12 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-101/subpart-A/section-101.12), only for items with a simple dry/whole reference amount. Meat, produce, and other items are left without servings on purpose." }