Special Report

Cost of a Thanksgiving Meal the Year You Were Born

bhofack2 / iStock

Approximately 285 million Americans sit every year on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate Thanksgiving. With 88% of the country sharing a similar meal on the same day, price fluctuations in any of the items typically consumed on Thanksgiving can significantly change the amount Americans spend on the harvest holiday.

To determine the cost of a Thanksgiving meal every year from 1947 to 2016, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed results from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey from 1986 to 2016. For years prior to 1986, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the cost of a Thanksgiving meal using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index for food at home in November.

According to the AFBF, the typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 consists of a 16-pound turkey, 14 ounces of stuffing, 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, a dozen brown rolls served with butter, 16 ounces of peas, 12 ounces of cranberries, a relish tray that consists of half a pound of celery and half a pound of carrots, and two pumpkin pies made from 30 ounces of pie mix, two pie shells, half a pint of whipping cream, and a gallon of milk.

Click here to see the full list of the cost of a Thanksgiving meal the year you were born.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons

1947
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.59
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $0.99
> Football results: Chicago Bears (34), Detroit Lions (14)

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Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images

1948
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.81
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.01
> Football results: Chicago Cardinals (28), Detroit Lions (14)

Abbie Rowe / Wikimedia Commons

1949
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.62
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.56
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $0.98
> Football results: Chicago Bears (28), Detroit Lions (7)

Jackie Lund / Flickr

1950
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.91
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.70
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.03
> Football results: Detroit Lions (49), New York Yanks (14)

Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images

1951
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.48
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.96
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Detroit Lions (52), Green Bay Packers (35)

Keystone / Getty Images

1952
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.52
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.97
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Detroit Lions (48), Green Bay Packers (24)

Unknown / Wikimedia Commons

1953
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.31
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.10
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), Green Bay Packers (15)

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Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images

1954
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.23
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.08
> Football results: Detroit Lions (28), Green Bay Packers (24)

Nocella / Three Lions / Getty Images

1955
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.13
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.79
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.06
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (10)

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1956
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.31
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.10
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (20)

The U.S. Food and Drug Association / Flickr

1957
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.46
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.95
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.12
> Football results: Detroit Lions (18), Green Bay Packers (6)

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RichardBH / Flickr

1958
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.67
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.04
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.16
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (14)

Florida Memory / Flickr

1959
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.52
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.97
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (17)

jolynne_martinez / Flickr

1960
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.71
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.06
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (23), Green Bay Packers (10)

William Lovelace / Getty Images

1961
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.01
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.15
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (17), Detroit Lions (9)

tab1962 / iStock

1962
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.76
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.08
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (26), Green Bay Packers (14)

Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

1963
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.82
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.11
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.18
> Football results: Detroit Lions (13), Green Bay Packers (13)

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cobol1964 / iStock

1964
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.92
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.16
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.20
> Football results: Chicago Bears (27), Detroit Lions (24)

Steven & Courtney Johnson & Horwitz / Flickr

1965
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.23
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Baltimore Colts (24)

Bruce Szalwinski / Flickr

1966
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.43
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.39
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.29
> Football results: San Francisco 49ers (41), Detroit Lions (14)

Yoichi Okamoto / Wikimedia Commons

1967
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.37
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.28
> Football results: Los Angeles Rams (31), Detroit Lions (7)

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JudahArt / iStock

1968
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.50
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.33
> Football results: Philadelphia Eagles (12), Detroit Lions (0)

 

egal / iStock

1969
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.15
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.71
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.42
> Football results: Minnesota Vikings (27), Detroit Lions (0)

Kent Kanouse / Flickr

1970
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.36
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.81
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.45
> Football results: Detroit Lions (28), Oakland Raiders (14)

Kent Kanouse / Flickr

1971
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.63
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.93
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.50
> Football results: Detroit Lions (32), Kansas City Chiefs (21)

ET1972 / iStock

1972
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $9.13
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $4.16
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.59
> Football results: Detroit Lions (37), New York Jets (20)

Sandralise / iStock

1973
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $11.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $5.06
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.93
> Football results: Washington Redskins (20), Detroit Lions (0)

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Barbara Ann Spengler / Flickr

1974
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $12.44
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $5.67
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.16
> Football results: Denver Broncos (31), Detroit Lions (27)

The U.S. National Archives / Flickr

1975
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $13.30
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.07
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.31
> Football results: Los Angeles Rams (20), Detroit Lions (0)

Kent Kanouse / Flickr

1976
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $13.22
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.03
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.30
> Football results: Detroit Lions (27), Buffalo Bills (14)

Rusty Blazenhoff / Flickr

1977
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $14.27
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.51
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.48
> Football results: Chicago Bears (31), Detroit Lions (14)

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arisara1978 / iStock

1978
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $15.98
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $7.28
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.78
> Football results: Detroit Lions (17), Denver Broncos (14)

Jon Harder / Wikimedia Commons

1979
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $17.45
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $7.96
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.03
> Football results: Detroit Lions (20), Chicago Bears (0)

Ken Howard / Getty Images

1980
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $19.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $8.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.37
> Football results: Chicago Bears (23), Detroit Lions (17)

Micko1986 / iStock

1981
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.14
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.48
> Football results: Detroit Lions (27), Kansas City Chiefs (10)

Nate Davis / Flickr

1982
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.59
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.39
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.58
> Football results: New York Giants (13), Detroit Lions (6)

The U.S. National Archives / Flickr
1983
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.82
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.49
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.62
> Football results: Detroit Lions (45), Pittsburgh Steelers (3)

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Victoria1988 / iStock

1984
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $21.62
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.86
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.76
> Football results: Detroit Lions (31), Green Bay Packers (28)

Bruce Szalwinski / Flickr

1985
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $21.93
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.00
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.81
> Football results: Detroit Lions (31), New York Jets (20)

Micko1986 / iStock

1986
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.74
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.24
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.92
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (44), Detroit Lions (40)

kizzzbeth / Flickr

1987
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $24.51
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.21
> Football results: Kansas City Chiefs (27), Detroit Lions (20)

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Alan Light / Flickr

1988
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $26.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $11.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.05
> Football results: Minnesota Vikings (23), Detroit Lions (0)

ValEs1989 / iStock

1989
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $24.70
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.77
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.09
> Football results: Detroit Lions (13), Cleveland Browns (10)

frankieleon / Flickr

1990
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.85
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.89
> Football results: Detroit Lions (40), Denver Broncos (27)

Lars Plougmann / Wikimedia Commons

1991
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $25.95
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.67
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.69
> Football results: Detroit Lions (16), Chicago Bears (6)

badmanproduction / iStock

1992
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $26.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $11.05
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.94
> Football results: Houston Oilers (24), Detroit Lions (21)

DragonImages / iStock

1993
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $27.49
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.55
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $5.16
> Football results: Chicago Bears (10), Detroit Lions (6)

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grilled cheese / Flickr

1994
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.40
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.00
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $5.74
> Football results: Detroit Lions (35), Buffalo Bills (21)

Kent Kanouse / Flickr

1995
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $29.64
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.68
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.07
> Football results: Detroit Lions (44), Minnesota Vikings (38)

HannamariaH / iStock

1996
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $31.66
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.46
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.05
> Football results: Kansas City Chiefs (28), Detroit Lions (24)

shawncampbell / iStock

1997
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $31.75
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.47
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.04
> Football results: Detroit Lions (55), Chicago Bears (20)

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Canon_Bob / iStock

1998
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $33.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.71
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.46
> Football results: Detroit Lions (19), Pittsburgh Steelers (16)

philsajonesen / iStock

1999
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $33.83
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (21), Chicago Bears (17)

Tim Boyle / Getty Images

2000
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $32.37
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.52
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), New England Patriots (9)

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

2001
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $35.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.13
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.56
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (29), Detroit Lions (27)

rez-art / iStock

2002
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $34.56
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.46
> Football results: New England Patriots (20), Detroit Lions (12)

Mario Tama / Getty Images

2003
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $36.28
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.47
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.14
> Football results: Detroit Lions (22), Green Bay Packers (14)

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evgenyb / iStock

2004
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $35.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.85
> Football results: Indianapolis Colts (41), Detroit Lions (9)

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images

2005
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $36.78
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.11
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.67
> Football results: Atlanta Falcons (27), Detroit Lions (7)

Coast-to-Coast / iStock

2006
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $38.10
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.70
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.55
> Football results: Miami Dolphins (27), Detroit Lions (10)

liveslow / iStock

2007
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $42.26
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $17.63
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.68
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (37), Detroit Lions (26)

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grandriver / iStock

2008
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $44.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $19.09
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.15
> Football results: Tennessee Titans (47), Detroit Lions (10)

Rehlik / iStock

2009
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $42.91
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $18.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.18
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (34), Detroit Lions (12)

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

2010
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $43.47
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $17.66
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.24
> Football results: New England Patriots (45), Detroit Lions (24)

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circlePS / iStock

2011
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.20
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.57
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.62
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (27), Detroit Lions (15)

Mario Tama / Getty Images

2012
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.48
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $22.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.37
> Football results: Houston Texans (34), Detroit Lions (31)

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Click_and_Photo / iStock

2013
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.76
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.45
> Football results: Detroit Lions (40), Green Bay Packers (10)

Theo Wargo / Getty Images

2014
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.41
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.44
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), Chicago Bears (17)

Rawpixel / iStock

2015
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $50.11
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $23.04
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.47
> Football results: Detroit Lions (45), Philadelphia Eagles (14)

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Shawn Thew - Pool / Getty Images

2016
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.87
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $22.74
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.66
> Football results: Detroit Lions (16), Minnesota Vikings (13)

Detailed Findings & Methodology

A number of factors can impact the price of traditional Thanksgiving foods. For example, increases in cold storage inventories have expanded the U.S. supply of frozen turkeys by nearly 10% compared to last year. The greater supply lowered the retail cost of turkey. The average price of a 16-pound turkey fell from $22.74 in 2016 to $22.38 in 2017, the lowest since 2014.

The price of milk has also fallen in recent years due to increased production levels. According to the AFBF, the average price of a gallon of milk today is $2.99, the lowest point since 2009.

While the price of the average Thanksgiving meal today is nearly 10 times as high as it was in 1947, the retail cost of food has actually declined significantly over the past seven decades when adjusted for inflation. The trend in falling real food prices has been made possible by an excess supply of dairy products, meat, and grains, as well as low energy costs in food transportation and refrigeration. Adjusted for inflation, the price of Thanksgiving dinner today is $10 lower than it was 70 years ago. The real cost of Thanksgiving dinner has fallen below $5 per person — less than the cost of most fast food.

To determine the cost of a Thanksgiving meal every year from 1947 to 2016, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed price data from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving price survey. The survey collects data on the prices of items consumed in a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10. The data is gathered by a team of volunteer shoppers around the country, and the survey first started in 1986. The AFBF found every year that the change in the cost of the Thanksgiving meal tracks closely with the changing price of food at home as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For years prior to 1986, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the cost of a Thanksgiving meal and its individual components using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index for food at home in November from 1947 to 1985. The results of Thanksgiving Day NFL games each year came from the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.

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