Inflation peaked in June 2022, though it remains at decades-high levels partly because the cost of food has yet to follow suit. Still, food inflation actually eased somewhat in February, with prices for food at home up 10.2% from February 2022 – down from an 11.3% jump in January. The war in Ukraine has affected fertilizer, animal feed, and wheat costs, and sanctions on Russia have increased fuel prices. In addition, the culling of millions of chickens to curb the global avian flu outbreak will continue to affect egg and poultry prices until flocks are replenished. (Take a look at the price of a dozen eggs every year since 1973.)
Rising prices haven’t affected the nation equally. According to the Economic Innovation Group, prices in states with lower costs of living have increased the most. This is partly due to the industries that tend to flourish in cheaper states, such as manufacturing, being particularly susceptible to commodity and fuel cost increases.
To compile a list of cities with the biggest increase in food prices, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the report “U.S. Cities Where Food Prices Have Increased the Most,” by Nadrich & Cohen, a personal injury law firm. The firm created an index that ranks the 50 most populous U.S. cities on their food costs from the beginning of 2021 to the beginning of 2023. Specifically, the firm looked at seven basic grocery items: one dozen eggs, one loaf of bread, 1 gallon of whole milk, 16 ounces of local cheese, 1 pound of potatoes, 1 pound of apples, and 1 pound of chicken, using price estimates from Expatistan Cost of Living index and the Numbeo Cost of Living database.
Nationwide, the average total price for these seven different foods increased by 25.9% from just two years ago, but there is a wide disparity in grocery cost increases. Grocery bills in some cities increased by less than 10%, while in Indianapolis the grocery bill is up over 50% from the beginning of 2021 to the beginning of 2023.
According to the report, grocery bills in 18 cities rose above the national average of 25.9%. In the vast majority of cities, the grocery items that have gone up the most in price are eggs, with the price of eggs in Oklahoma City rising a whopping 151%. Chicken prices, too, increased considerably, up 85% in some cities. (Here are 21 household items with soaring prices since last year.)
Although food costs may continue to increase in 2023, they will likely do so at a slower pace than last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts that grocery costs will likely increase 7.8% this year compared to 11.8% during 2022.
Click here to see the biggest food price increases in America’s largest cities
50. Arlington, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 3.0%, reaching $19.22 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.53
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk (25%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $3.34
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (21%)
[in-text-ad]
49. Memphis, Tennessee
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 6.6%, reaching $19.42 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.43
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs and 1 lb of chicken (32%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.00
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (19%)
48. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 6.8%, reaching $21.05 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.96
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (23%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.67
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (21%)
47. Tucson, Arizona
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 9.0%, reaching $21.73 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.33
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (54%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.40
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes and 1 gallon of whole milk (20%)
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Aurora, Colorado
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 9.1%, reaching $24.34 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.14
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (76%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.49
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (11%)
45. Los Angeles, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 9.1%, reaching $27.38 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.46
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (24%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.20
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of apples (22%)
[in-text-ad]
44. Colorado Springs, Colorado
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 10.6%, reaching $22.98 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.29
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (57%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $4.31
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk (23%)
24/7 Wall St.
43. Long Beach, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 11.9%, reaching $25.82 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.36
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (43%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.72
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (20%)
42. San Francisco, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 13.0%, reaching $35.76 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $8.77
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (34%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $7.77
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (33%)
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Seattle, Washington
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 14.2%, reaching $30.03 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.71
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (45%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $7.33
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (34%)
40. Tulsa, Oklahoma
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 14.5%, reaching $20.36 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.84
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (29%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.55
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (25%)
[in-text-ad]
39. Bakersfield, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 15.2%, reaching $25.52 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.85
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (53%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.63
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of apples (23%)
38. Albuquerque, New Mexico
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 15.9%, reaching $22.36 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.47
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (62%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.23
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk (27%)
37. Houston, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 16.4%, reaching $23.24 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.68
> Item with the biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (30%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.23
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of apples (23%)
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Oakland, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 16.6%, reaching $35.57 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $10.39
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of apples (27%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.84
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk and a dozen eggs (18%)
35. Baltimore, Maryland
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 17.6%, reaching $23.09 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.24
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (49%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.97
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (36%)
[in-text-ad]
34. Minneapolis, Minnesota
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 17.7%, reaching $24.3 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.13
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (96%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.75
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (37%)
33. Raleigh, North Carolina
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 18.0%, reaching $22.35 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.83
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (62%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.39
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (34%)
32. El Paso, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 18.1%, reaching $19.69 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.33
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (77%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $3.85
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (32%)
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Columbus, Ohio
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 18.2%, reaching $24.06 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.27
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (65%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.95
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk (34%)
30. Chicago, Illinois
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 20.1%, reaching $26.01 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.5
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (65%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.70
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken and 1 gallon of whole milk (24%)
[in-text-ad]
29. Fresno, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 20.5%, reaching $23.2 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.29
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (45%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.49
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (33%)
28. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 21.5%, reaching $27.93 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7
> Item with the biggest price increase: 16 oz of cheese (60%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.69
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (30%)
27. Jacksonville, Florida
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 22.7%, reaching $25.83 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.84
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs and 1 lb of chicken (33%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.51
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (32%)
[in-text-ad-2]
26. New York, New York
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 23.0%, reaching $34.93 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $8.41
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (43%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $7.84
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (36%)
25. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 23.1%, reaching $23.41 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.92
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (151%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $4.46
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (63%)
[in-text-ad]
24. Omaha, Nebraska
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 23.6%, reaching $22.38 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.72
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (64%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.33
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 gallon of whole milk (47%)
24/7 Wall St.
23. San Diego, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 24.4%, reaching $28.38 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.98
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (70%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.91
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (36%)
22. San Jose, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 25.0%, reaching $30.77 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.56
> Item with the biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (67%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.43
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (48%)
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Boston, Massachusetts
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 25.0%, reaching $30.18 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.82
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (83%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.72
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (32%)
20. Virginia Beach, Virginia
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 25.5%, reaching $22.54 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.7
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (58%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.72
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (41%)
[in-text-ad]
19. Washington, DC
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 25.7%, reaching $28.97 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.68
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (64%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.68
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (40%)
18. Portland, Oregon
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 26.9%, reaching $28.41 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.37
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (54%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.37
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (44%)
[in-text-ad-2]
17. Nashville, Tennessee
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 27.1%, reaching $25.56 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.26
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (64%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.05
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (52%)
16. Sacramento, California
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 27.3%, reaching $29.71 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $7.4
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (85%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.82
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (33%)
[in-text-ad]
15. San Antonio, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 28.1%, reaching $22.22 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.23
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (53%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.11
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 16 oz of cheese (35%)
24/7 Wall St.
14. Fort Worth, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 30.2%, reaching $24.13 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.33
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (79%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.05
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of potatoes (46%)
13. Atlanta, Georgia
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 30.7%, reaching $24.31 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.7
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (79%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.17
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 16 oz of cheese (42%)
[in-text-ad-2]
12. Detroit, Michigan
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 30.9%, reaching $22.36 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.25
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (91%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $4.67
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (44%)
11. Dallas, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 32.4%, reaching $22.71 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.9
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (76%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.90
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of apples (38%)
[in-text-ad]
10. Charlotte, North Carolina
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 32.9%, reaching $26.42 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.36
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (130%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.07
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (84%)
24/7 Wall St.
9. Mesa, Arizona
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 33.0%, reaching $22.79 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.56
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (105%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $4.46
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (85%)
8. Wichita, Kansas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 34.5%, reaching $21.8 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $5.31
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (107%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.22
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (54%)
[in-text-ad-2]
7. Miami, Florida
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 35.4%, reaching $30.86 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $7.07
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (76%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.74
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (50%)
6. Austin, Texas
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 35.4%, reaching $27.5 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.07
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (64%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $6.37
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (58%)
[in-text-ad]
5. Kansas City, Missouri
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 37.0%, reaching $25.54 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.34
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (126%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.32
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (44%)
4. Phoenix, Arizona
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 40.5%, reaching $25.12 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.26
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (95%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $4.87
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: Loaf of bread (65%)
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 42.8%, reaching $26.39 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.51
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (170%)
> 2nd most expensive item: A dozen eggs, now costing $5.66
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (46%)
[in-text-ad-2]
2. Denver, Colorado
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 44.0%, reaching $29.87 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $7.93
> Item with the biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (77%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $7.29
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: A dozen eggs and Loaf of bread (51%)
1. Indianapolis, Indiana
> Increase in grocery bill since 2021: 50.6%, reaching $26.26 in 2023
> Most expensive item: 16 oz of cheese, now costing $6.14
> Item with the biggest price increase: A dozen eggs (127%)
> 2nd most expensive item: 1 lb of chicken, now costing $5.93
> Item with 2nd biggest price increase: 1 lb of chicken (71%)
Today’s Top Rated Credit Cards Are Hard to Believe
It’s hard to believe, but today there are credit cards offering up to 6% cash back (you read that right) on some items, $200 statement credits, $0 annual fees, travel rewards, and more. See for yourself, we’ve assembled a list of the top credit cards today right here.
Frankly, with rewards this good we don’t expect them to be available forever. But if you sign up today you can secure some of the best rewards we’ve ever seen. Click here to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
