Quick answer
The average price of a dozen Grade A large eggs in the US was $2.27 in August 2026, the latest month published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 37% cheaper than a year earlier and less than half the record $6.23 set in March 2025.
- Egg prices fell almost every month from March 2025 to June 2026, then ticked up slightly over the summer.
- USDA expects retail egg prices to end 2026 about 29% lower than 2025.
- Store brand eggs cost about $1.44 to $1.47 a dozen at Walmart and Aldi in a June 2026 price check.
- Wholesale eggs sold for as little as $0.39 a dozen in late September 2026.
Egg prices have been on a wild ride, and if you keep backyard chickens you have probably been asked more than once whether your hens are worth it. Here is the current price of eggs, how egg prices have changed month by month and year by year, what eggs cost at the big stores and what the USDA expects next. We update this page every month when new government data comes out.
What is the average price of eggs today?
A dozen Grade A large eggs cost $2.27 on average in August 2026, up from $2.19 in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly average price survey (BLS via FRED). BLS publishes each month’s price in the middle of the following month, so the September 2026 figure comes out in mid October.
That national average mixes store brands, name brands, and caged and cage free eggs sold in cities across the country. Your own grocery store may be higher or lower; cage free, organic and pasture raised eggs usually cost more.
Egg prices chart: how has the price of eggs changed over time?
Eggs cost about $1.40 a dozen in 2019. Prices spiked to $4.82 in January 2023, eased, then shot to an all time high of $6.23 in March 2025 before falling back to the low $2 range in 2026 (BLS via FRED).
Egg prices by month
Over the past year, the price of eggs fell from $3.49 in September 2025 to a low of $2.14 in June 2026, then rose slightly to $2.27 by August (BLS via FRED). BLS did not publish an October 2025 average because of the federal government shutdown.
| Month | Price per dozen | Same month a year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | $2.27 | $3.59 | Down 37% |
| July 2026 | $2.19 | $3.60 | Down 39% |
| June 2026 | $2.14 | $3.78 | Down 43% |
| May 2026 | $2.19 | $4.55 | Down 52% |
| April 2026 | $2.25 | $5.12 | Down 56% |
| March 2026 | $2.35 | $6.23 | Down 62% |
| February 2026 | $2.50 | $5.90 | Down 58% |
| January 2026 | $2.58 | $4.95 | Down 48% |
| December 2025 | $2.71 | $4.15 | Down 35% |
| November 2025 | $2.86 | $3.65 | Down 22% |
| September 2025 | $3.49 | $3.82 | Down 9% |
Egg prices by year
Averaged across each year, a dozen eggs cost $1.40 in 2019, climbed to $3.17 in 2024 and peaked at $4.25 in 2025. So far in 2026 the average is $2.31, the lowest since 2021 (our calculation from BLS via FRED).
| Year | Average price per dozen | Highest month | Lowest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.40 | $1.56 (Feb) | $1.20 (Jun) |
| 2020 | $1.51 | $2.02 (Apr) | $1.33 (Aug) |
| 2021 | $1.67 | $1.84 (Sep) | $1.47 (Jan) |
| 2022 | $2.86 | $4.25 (Dec) | $1.93 (Jan) |
| 2023 | $2.80 | $4.82 (Jan) | $2.04 (Aug) |
| 2024 | $3.17 | $4.15 (Dec) | $2.52 (Jan) |
| 2025 | $4.25 | $6.23 (Mar) | $2.71 (Dec) |
| 2026 so far | $2.31 | $2.58 (Jan) | $2.14 (Jun) |
Why were egg prices so high?
Bird flu. Highly pathogenic avian influenza forced farms to cull huge numbers of laying hens from 2022 onward, and more than 200 million birds have been lost since the outbreak began. With fewer hens laying, supply dropped and prices jumped, peaking in early 2025 when outbreaks hit large egg farms (see our chicken statistics).
Other costs play a smaller role: feed, labor, transportation and the shift to cage free housing, which now covers 46.4% of US laying hens. Cage free eggs cost more to produce, and some states, including California, require them by law.
Have egg prices come down?
Yes, a lot. The average price has fallen from $6.23 in March 2025 to $2.27 in August 2026, a drop of 64%. The USDA’s Economic Research Service says retail egg prices in August 2026 were 23.0% lower than a year earlier on its price index, even after a 3.5% rise from July to August (USDA ERS).
The two numbers differ because the USDA uses the consumer price index for all eggs, while the BLS average price above covers only a dozen Grade A large eggs. Both tell the same story: eggs are far cheaper than in 2025.
What do eggs cost at Walmart, Aldi and Costco?
Walmart and Aldi usually have the cheapest store brand eggs. In a Boston area price check published in June 2026, a dozen worked out to $1.44 at Walmart (18 pack), $1.47 at Aldi, $2.45 at Costco (24 pack) and $5.99 at Trader Joe’s (Tasting Table).
| Store and egg type | Pack | Price | Where and when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Great Value large white | 12 | $1.67 | Texas, April 2026 |
| Aldi Goldhen Grade A large | 12 | $1.85 | Texas, April 2026 |
| Walmart store brand | 18 | $2.17 | Boston, June 2026 |
| Costco | 24 | $4.89 | Boston, June 2026 |
| Aldi pasture raised | 12 | $4.35 | Texas, April 2026 |
| Walmart pasture raised organic | 12 | $6.92 | Texas, April 2026 |
| Trader Joe’s | 12 | $5.99 | Boston, June 2026 |
Are egg prices higher in California and other regions?
Usually, yes. California requires cage free eggs, and in late September 2026 its wholesale benchmark for large eggs was $1.08 a dozen, compared with $0.82 in New York and $0.65 in the Midwest (USDA via IndexBox).
In the South, where BLS still publishes a regional average, a dozen cost $2.34 in August 2026, slightly above the national $2.27 (BLS South).
Wholesale egg prices vs grocery store prices
Stores pay far less than you do. Loose white large eggs traded at just $0.39 a dozen wholesale on September 25, 2026, while delivered cartons ranged from $0.60 to $0.82 (USDA via IndexBox). Packing, shipping and store markups make up the rest of the $2.27 shelf price.
Will egg prices go down more in 2027?
The USDA expects 2026 to finish well below 2025. Its September 2026 Food Price Outlook forecasts retail egg prices will average 29.4% lower in 2026 than in 2025, with a likely range of 25.2% to 32.9% lower (USDA ERS). The USDA has not yet published a 2027 egg forecast.
The biggest wild card is bird flu. Outbreaks tend to pick up when wild birds migrate in fall and spring, so a bad season could push prices up again. We will update this page as new numbers come out.
| USDA egg price outlook | Figure |
|---|---|
| Forecast change in 2026 vs 2025 | 29.4% lower |
| Forecast range | 25.2% to 32.9% lower |
| August 2026 vs August 2025 | 23.0% lower |
| August 2026 vs July 2026 | 3.5% higher |
Is it cheaper to raise chickens than buy eggs?
At today’s prices, store eggs usually win on cost alone. With store brand eggs around $1.44 to $2.27 a dozen, feed, bedding and a coop make backyard eggs more expensive for most small flocks. When eggs hit $6 a dozen in 2025, the math looked very different. Our full breakdown is in backyard egg costs.
Most people keep hens for fresher eggs, pest control, compost and the joy of it, not just savings. If that sounds like you, start with our backyard chicken guide and learn how long fresh eggs last.
How we track egg prices
Monthly and yearly prices come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics average price for a dozen Grade A large eggs in US cities, published through FRED. Forecasts come from the USDA Economic Research Service, wholesale prices from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports, and store prices from dated price checks by food publications. We refresh this page each month after the new BLS release. Last updated October 12, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price of a dozen eggs right now?
The average price of a dozen Grade A large eggs in the US was $2.27 in August 2026, the latest month published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is down 37% from $3.59 a year earlier and far below the record $6.23 in March 2025.
Why were egg prices so high?
Bird flu was the main cause. Avian influenza outbreaks since 2022 forced farms to cull more than 200 million birds, cutting the supply of laying hens. Prices peaked at $6.23 a dozen in March 2025, according to BLS data, before supply recovered.
Are egg prices going down?
Yes. The average price fell from $6.23 in March 2025 to $2.27 in August 2026, and the USDA forecasts retail egg prices will average 29.4% lower in 2026 than in 2025. Prices did tick up 3.5% from July to August 2026, so small swings are still possible.
Where are eggs cheapest, Walmart, Aldi or Costco?
Walmart and Aldi usually have the cheapest store brand eggs. A June 2026 Boston area price check found a dozen cost about $1.44 at Walmart, $1.47 at Aldi and $2.45 at Costco, while Trader Joe’s charged $5.99. Prices vary by location.
What was the average price of eggs in 2025?
A dozen Grade A large eggs averaged about $4.25 in 2025, the highest yearly average on record, based on BLS monthly prices. That compares with $3.17 in 2024 and about $2.31 so far in 2026.
