As Americans gear up for Fourth of July barbecues this weekend, they’re likely to notice that burgers and hot dogs are getting pricier due to ongoing inflation, according to a recent report.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Summer Cookout Cost Study has found that a classic Fourth of July cookout for 10 people in 2026 will set you back about $73.82, which breaks down to roughly $7.38 per person. This price marks an increase of $2.90, or about 4%, compared to last year.
This cost covers a range of items, including cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, snacks like potato chips, fresh fruits like strawberries, ingredients for homemade potato salad, and refreshing drinks, along with dessert items like cookies and ice cream.
The Farm Bureau noted that this year’s total is the highest since they began tracking these costs in 2016, and it closely mirrors the general inflation trend affecting various sectors.
Inflation sees a rise in May, influenced mainly by energy costs impacting consumers.
The report pointed out that while the cooking basket’s cost increased by 4%, overall U.S. inflation rose by 4.2% over the past year ending in May. So yes, shoppers are shelling out more at the grocery store, but dining out prices seem to be reflecting similar trends in the economy.
Interestingly, when using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a measure, the cost of the stated basket remains relatively stable compared to last year, costing $22.03 in 1982-84 dollars, which is slightly lower than last year’s $22.06.
This suggests that families are paying more at checkouts, yet the actual purchasing power of this basket of goods hasn’t changed much compared to last year, as noted by the Agriculture Department.
Among the foods surveyed, some key proteins are hitting higher price points; ground beef, for instance, is now $14.06, which represents a 5.5% increase and the highest price on record. Factors such as a shrinking herd size attributed to drought and rising costs of ranching are to blame.
14% ‘burger tax’ is a reality for backyard barbecuing this weekend.
Chicken breast prices have also gone up by 3.5%, now costing $8.06 for two pounds. Pork chop prices increased by 4.7% to $14.79 for three pounds, although they are still lower than what we saw in 2024.
Strawberry prices have seen the most significant jump, reaching $5.27 for two pints, marking a 12.4% increase compared to last year. The Farm Bureau partly attributes this to spring frost impacts in Florida, along with rising labor and transportation costs.
Lemonade has also become more expensive, costing $4.54 for 2.5 quarts, which is a 3.9% increase thanks to higher lemon prices. Among the biggest increases in the itemized basket were pork and beans, which soared by 13.8% to $3.06 for a 32 oz can, partly due to rising aluminum costs.
In other news, Bank of America cardholders can access free visits to 250 museums over the July 4th weekend.
Desserts haven’t escaped rising costs either; a pack of chocolate chip cookies now costs $4.25, up 6.3%, and a half-gallon of ice cream is priced at $5.99 after a 5.3% increase.
However, not all prices are rising. The Department of Agriculture noted that egg prices are down due to recovering flocks, leading to a 17.8% decline in potato salad prices to $2.91. Similarly, potato prices have dropped by 0.8% to $4.76.
Lastly, the Agriculture Department highlighted that the costs of summer cookouts vary by region. In Western America, people are facing the highest costs at $80, which is $6 above the national average. The Northeast holds the lowest average price at $71.35, followed by the Midwest at $71.45, and the South at $72.08.
