It’s nearly time to butter, baste, and brown the turkey. Fortunately, you most likely paid much less for it this yr than you probably did final yr. A new MoneyGeek report confirmed that turkey costs the week of Thanksgiving fell by 11% since final yr. Nonetheless, even when the worth of the principle attraction took a dip, different grocery costs might be hovering.
The report analyzed the common price of the meal throughout 106 metro areas, and in contrast present costs of Thanksgiving staples—turkey, candy potatoes, cranberry, you identify it—to their common costs final yr. In fact, costs fluctuate by area, however on common, aspect dishes will price extra in 2024. The report confirmed that groceries that make up the favourite aspect dishes of the day can be round 3% extra this yr. And a full meal together with a 10-pound chicken will run you someplace between $160 within the most-expensive market, Honolulu, and $112 within the least-expensive, Evansville, Indiana.
We’ve definitely felt the pressure of soaring grocery prices this yr. And, whereas some grocery costs have finally been falling, buyers should still really feel the sting when shopping for their desserts, their yams, and extra, in sure places. Topping the listing of costliest cooking staples: flour, eggs, cheese, sugar, and cooking oil, which is able to are available in at simply over $32 for Newark, New Jersey, residents and New Yorkers. Philadelphia residents who’ve a bottle of wine or six pack of beer with their festive meal can pay $27. One other broadly costly traditional? Within the Austin metro space, two premade pumpkin pies can price $24. And in San Jose, two cans of cranberry sauce will set you again a staggering $9.
The value of 1 very notable (and needed) vacation grocery merchandise has remained excessive throughout the board, too: eggs. With a lingering outbreak of bird flu simply this month, a dozen eggs averaged $3.37 in October, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics—greater than double the worth in October 2023 ($2.07).
Whilst you can’t management the worth of eggs, there are issues you are able to do to maintain your Thanksgiving costs down. For one, as a substitute of shopping for that ready-made pie, bake it from scratch this yr. Additionally, potlucks are an effective way of sharing the price (supplied you’ve gotten some midway respectable cooks within the household). “Planning forward may assist, provided that prices go up the week earlier than Thanksgiving,” the report notes.
Likewise, it suggests seeking to massive retailers like Sam’s Membership and Costco, and retaining your eyes peeled for holiday-week offers. That approach, you possibly can gobble up Thanksgiving dinner, however not devour your financial savings within the course of.