How the Cost of Meat, Milk and Other Food Staples Changed in 2021

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The effects of the pandemic on the economy have not stopped even after many businesses were able to open to normal standards in 2021.

Worker shortages, supply chain disruptions, transportation issues and inflation have had a dramatic effect on the goods and services we purchase, particularly groceries.

Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the real average weekly earnings for Americans dropped by 1.9 percent in 2021 (November to November) and the Consumer Price Index jumped 6.9 percent.

GOBankingRates sourced the median price of select goods as presented by the Consumer Price Index for November 2021 and January 2021 to show how much they’ve gone up or down.

See how the cost of meat, milk and other food staples changed in 2021.

34. Spaghetti and macaroni (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $1.31
Median cost in January: $1.09
Difference in cost: -$0.22 (-16.8%)

33. Flour, White, All Purpose (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $0.44
Median cost in January: $0.39
Difference in cost: -$0.05 (-11.4%)

Median cost in November: $4.19
Median cost in January: $3.95
Difference in cost: -$0.24 (-5.7%)

31. Cheddar Cheese (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $5.65
Median cost in January: $5.33
Difference in cost: -$0.32 (-5.7%)

29. Butter, Stick (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.64
Median cost in January: $3.48
Difference in cost: -$0.16 (-4.4%)

28. Bread, Whole Wheat (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $2.17
Median cost in January: $2.09
Difference in cost: -$0.08 (-3.7%)

Median cost in November: $0.78
Median cost in January: $0.77
Difference in cost: -$0.01 (-1.3%)

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Median cost in November: $1.59
Median cost in January: $1.58
Difference in cost: -$0.01 (-0.6%)

24. Bread, White (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $1.55
Median cost in January: $1.55
Difference in cost: $0

22. Strawberries (per 12 oz.)

Median cost in November: $3.04
Median cost in January: $3.07
Difference in cost: $0.03 (1%)

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21. Yogurt (per 8 oz.)

Median cost in November: $1.22
Median cost in January: $1.25
Difference in cost: $0.03 (2.5%)

20. Beans, Dried (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $1.43
Median cost in January: $1.47
Difference in cost: $0.04 (2.8%)

18. Bananas (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $0.60
Median cost in January: $0.62
Difference in cost: $0.02 (3.3%)

17. Wine (per liter)

Median cost in November: $12.88
Median cost in January: $13.35
Difference in cost: $0.47 (3.6%)

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14. Milk (per gallon)

Median cost in November: $3.47
Median cost in January: $3.67
Difference in cost: $0.20 (5.8%)

12. Rice, White (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $0.79
Median cost in January: $0.84
Difference in cost: $0.05 (6.3%)

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11. Cookies, Chocolate Chip (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.67
Median cost in January: $3.99
Difference in cost: $0.32 (8.7%)

10. Pork Chops (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.69
Median cost in January: $4.07
Difference in cost: $0.38 (10.3%)

9. Ground Chuck (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $4.31
Median cost in January: $4.81
Difference in cost: $0.50 (11.6%)

8. Ham (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.44
Median cost in January: $3.85
Difference in cost: $0.41 (11.9%)

7. Orange Juice, Frozen (per 12 oz.)

Median cost in November: $2.34
Median cost in January: $2.65
Difference in cost: $0.31 (13.2%)

6. Eggs (per Dozen)

Median cost in November: $1.46
Median cost in January: $1.72
Difference in cost: $0.26 (17.8%)

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5. Ground Beef (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.96
Median cost in January: $4.71
Difference in cost: $0.75 (18.9%)

4. Beef Roast (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $5.86
Median cost in January: $7.16
Difference in cost: $1.30 (22.2%)

3. Beef Steak

Median cost in November: $8.25
Median cost in January: $10.22
Difference in cost: $1.97 (23.9%)

2. Bacon (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $5.83
Median cost in January: $7.26
Difference in cost: $1.43 (24.5%)

1. Frankfurters (per lb.)

Median cost in November: $3.67
Median cost in January: $4.85
Difference in cost: $1.18 (+32.2%)

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Methodology: To compare the current cost of groceries against prices a year ago, GOBankingRates sourced the median price of select goods as presented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for November 2021 (the most recently released data) and January 2021. GOBankingRates then calculated the differences between the selected datasets, both as percentages and currency. Finally, items were ranked by greatest percentage increase. Average annual earnings were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Real Earnings News Release. All data was collected on and up to date as of Dec. 10, 2021.