What is the average price of beef in the US?
As of May 2026, the average price of ground beef nationwide was $6.75 per pound. This figure comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Average Price data, which tracks the cost of specific items commonly purchased by US households.
BLS also tracks broader categories containing many products through the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI category "beef and veal," which includes ground beef along with steaks, roasts, and other cuts, rose 12.9% over the past 12 months.
12.9%
$6.75
Average dollar amounts for specific beef products include ground beef, round steak, sirloin steak, and chuck roast.
Adjusting for inflation, here’s how average prices in May 2026 rank since January 1989 and changed in 12 months by selected product:
- Ground beef was $6.75 per pound. It was the 7th highest since 1989. That’s up by about $0.51 in 12 months.
- Chuck roast was $9.61 per pound — the 2nd highest and up by $1.40.
- Round steak was $9.79 per pound — the 6th highest and up by $1.03.
- Sirloin steak was $14.27 per pound — the 7th highest and up by $1.55.
4 out of 4 selected beef products have average higher prices than 12 months ago, after adjusting for inflation.
Average price per pound of selected beef products, inflation adjusted, Jan. 1989–May 2026
These prices without adjusting for inflation (also called “nominal prices”) illustrate a general upward trend in the past 12 months (May 2025 to May 2026):
- Ground beef, up $0.76 per pound
- Chuck roast, up $1.73 per pound
- Round steak, up $1.39 per pound
- Sirloin steak, up $2.07 per pound
The average price of selected beef products was between $6.75 (ground beef) and $14.27 (sirloin steak) as of May 2026.
Average price per pound of selected beef products, not adjusted for inflation, May 2025–May 2026
How have beef prices changed over time?
As of May 2026, beef and veal prices were 12.9% higher than 12 months earlier, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The CPI measures change across time for a “basket” of goods and services a consumer regularly buys to provide insight on how inflation impacts the cost of living.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics produces the CPI by measuring the cost of products and services from about 23,000 products and services in over 200 categories from urban areas across the country (covering about 90% of the population).
The index for all commodities, which measures general inflation, increased by 4.2% in the same period. In other words, the price of beef and veal increased at a higher rate than overall consumer prices.
As of May 2026, the price index for beef and veal increased by 12.9% vs. an increase of 4.2% for all items in 12 months.
Year-over-year change in the Consumer Price Index, all items vs. beef and veal, Jan. 1935–May 2026
How do beef prices differ by region?
Average price data also varies by geography. Every area in the US has unique factors in the supply and demand of products that influence prices. BLS publishes some, but not all beef product data by region. All states, territories and Washington, DC, belong to one of four regions.
Based on data published as of May 2026, the West had the highest prices in two out of four selected beef products; sirloin steak and chuck roast. The Northeast had the highest average price for ground beef. The South was the only region with published data for round steak.
By region, the West had the highest price for two out of four products.
Average price per pound of selected beef products, by region, May 2026
Keep exploring
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? - Grocery store food prices increased 2.1% from January 2025 to January 2026 – the product with the biggest jump, ground beef, went up more than 21%.
- Food prices are up as millions of Americans are unemployed - The average price of goods overall declined 0.8% from March to April. However, average prices for food staples rose 2.6%.
- What is the Producer Price Index (PPI)? - The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.9% in June—the largest increase in over three years.
- What is the Federal Reserve? - Established in 1913, the Federal Reserve serves as the nation’s central bank, directing monetary policy and supporting financial stability.
Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
