Compare Grocery Costs
Adjust two illustrative baskets using July 2026 U.S. city average prices. Quantities are multiples of the exact BLS unit shown—not package, serving, or nutrition equivalents.
Staples basket
Eight grocery staples in the default configuration.
8 items
Large eggs
dozen · BLS average $2.19
Source details
Eggs, grade A, large, per doz. · Series APU0000708111
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$2.19Whole milk
gallon · BLS average $4.31
Source details
Milk, fresh, whole, fortified, per gal. (3.8 lit) · Series APU0000709112
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$4.31Chicken legs
pound · BLS average $1.72
Source details
Chicken legs, bone-in, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000706212
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$3.45Long-grain white rice
pound · BLS average $1.10
Source details
Rice, white, long grain, uncooked, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000701312
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$2.20White potatoes
pound · BLS average $0.94
Source details
Potatoes, white, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000712112
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$2.83Bananas
pound · BLS average $0.65
Source details
Bananas, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000711211
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$1.30White bread
pound · BLS average $1.82
Source details
Bread, white, pan, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000702111
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$1.82Spaghetti and macaroni
pound · BLS average $1.38
Source details
Spaghetti and macaroni, per lb. (453.6 gm) · Series APU0000701322
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$1.38
Basket total
$19.48
8 BLS-average lines
Snack basket
Three snack and drink items in the default configuration.
3 items
Potato chips
16-ounce package · BLS average $6.56
Source details
Potato chips, per 16 oz. · Series APU0000718311
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$6.56Ice cream
half gallon · BLS average $5.84
Source details
Ice cream, prepackaged, bulk, regular, per 1/2 gal. (1.9 lit) · Series APU0000710411
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$5.84Soft drinks
2-liter bottle · BLS average $2.27
Source details
All soft drinks, per 2 liters (67.6 oz) · Series APU0000FN1101
Optional; blank uses the BLS average.BLS average$6.80
Basket total
$19.19
3 BLS-average lines
Total uses the full published price precision, so displayed item amounts may differ by $0.01.
Basket comparison
Snack basket is $0.29 less than Staples basket.
1.5% less relative to Staples basket.
This page compares price only. It is not dietary guidance and does not say either basket is better for you. What works for you depends on your needs, kitchen, preferences, storage, time, and budget. For general meal-planning and shopping guidance, see Eat Well for Less.
What this comparison shows
These 11 items are the exact BLS series used in the two illustrative configurations and verified for July 2026. The different mixes happen to have similar totals. They are not equal in food amount, weight, servings, duration, or nutrition; they are not recommended shopping lists and do not establish that one basket is a better value or healthier.
Prices vary by store, brand, package, promotion, location, taxes and fees, and time. National averages are not local estimates, forecasts, or guarantees. BLS updates these data monthly, so newer observations may be available.
Your price changes one line only. It is not saved, shared, transmitted, or included in the URL. Learn more in Methodology & Sources.
Source checked August 15, 2026. BLS does not provide an item-level publication timestamp for these records.