How Well Do You Know How Much These Common Items Cost in the US?

You might think you’re a budgeting and shopping pro, but do you actually know the average costs of supermarket staples and everyday expenses?

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Keep clicking if you think you’re up for the pricing challenge. From gallons of milk to a month’s worth of utilities, find out how much these common items cost across the U.S.

Last updated: Dec. 14, 2020

Gallon of Milk

• Average cost: $3.53

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, as of Nov. 25, the average retail costs for a gallon of milk were $3.53 for conventional whole milk and $3.50 for conventional reduced fat 2% milk. Organic milk costs more than twice as much, with an average cost of $4.05 per half-gallon of organic whole milk and $4.04 per half-gallon of organic reduced fat 2% milk.

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Gallon of Gas

• Average cost: $2.159

The price of gas ranges widely from state to state, but as of Dec. 11, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $2.159, according to AAA. The average price of midrange gas was $2.503 per gallon, and $2.769 for premium gas or $2.460 for diesel.

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Loaf of Bread

• Average cost: $2.50

The average cost of a loaf of bread is $2.50, according to Study-in-US.org. Of course, the actual cost will depend on the type of bread you buy and where you are shopping.

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Rent for a 2-Bedroom Apartment

• Average cost: $1,878

Rent is another cost that will vary drastically depending on where you live, but the national average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,878, according to Rent.com. You can save a couple hundred bucks if you share a bedroom — the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,621.

From Alabama to Wyoming: The Cost of Living Across America

Month of Day Care

• Average cost: $991 for infants, $847 for toddlers and $771 for preschoolers

Child care can be a major expense. According to Child Care Aware, the monthly cost of center-based day care for an infant is nearly $1,000 per month.

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Monthly Gym Membership

• Average cost: $58

The cost of a gym membership will vary depending on the gym you choose and where it is located, but the industrywide average is $58 a month or $696 per year, according to The Hustle. Of the major national gym chains, Planet Fitness falls on the lower end of membership fees with an average monthly fee of $10; Lifetime Fitness is on the high end with an average monthly fee of $100.

See: 34 Things That Shouldn’t Be This Expensive

Utilities for the Month

• Average cost: $412.25

According to Move.org, the average homeowner spends about $400 per month for utilities. That breaks down to $110.76 for electricity, $85 for cable TV, $72.10 for natural gas, $60 for internet, $70.39 for water and $14 for trash and recycling.

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Pound of Bananas

• Average cost: $0.58

As of October, the average retail price for a pound of bananas was 58 cents, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The price has remained pretty steady over the past couple of years — it was 57 cents in October 2019 and 57 cents in October 2018.

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Dozen Eggs

• Average cost: $1.21

As of Dec. 11, the average advertised price for a dozen eggs was $1.21, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The average advertised price for UEP-certified cage-free eggs was more than double that at $2.66 per dozen.

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About the Author

Gabrielle Olya

Gabrielle joined GOBankingRates in 2017 and brings with her a decade of experience in the journalism industry. Before joining the team, she was a staff writer-reporter for People Magazine and People.com. Her work has also appeared on E! Online, Us Weekly, Patch, Sweety High and Discover Los Angeles, and she has been featured on “Good Morning America” as a celebrity news expert. 

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