Five Dollars For That?
Take a closer look at what’s in your grocery cart. Some items you could buy for under $5 just five years ago now come with price tags that cause a double take and more than just a five dollar bill (sometimes a lot more).
Ground Coffee
Making coffee at home was supposed to be the money-saving option. It still can be, but the coffee itself has become considerably harder to swallow. A pound of ground roast coffee averaged about $4.57 in May 2021. By September 2026, the average was approximately $9.33. Five dollars doesn’t even come particularly close anymore.
Wright Bacon
Bacon was already something shoppers watched for on sale. A 2021 grocery advertisement offered a 1½-pound package of Wright sliced bacon for $4.99. A recent Harps online listing puts a 24-ounce Wright Hickory thick-cut package at $14.79. That’s a specific old promotion against a newer listing for the same weight, but it certainly makes that sale worth remembering.
Ice Cream
A little ice cream after dinner didn’t need to become a household budget discussion. In May 2021, regular packaged ice cream averaged about $4.69 per half-gallon equivalent. By September 2026, that figure was around $5.93. This comparison covers 64 ounces, so a smaller carton can still come in below $5. The amount of ice cream matters.
Boneless Ham
Ham sandwiches, diced ham in an omelet, a few slices with dinner. This wasn’t exactly extravagant eating. In May 2021, boneless ham averaged about $4.91 a pound. By September 2026, the figure was roughly $5.45. It’s a smaller increase than some others here, but another everyday purchase has slipped past that five-dollar limit on average.
A 12-Pack Of Coca-Cola
Remember when grabbing a 12-pack of soda didn’t feel like a particularly expensive decision? A 2021 Harris Teeter promotion offered Coca-Cola or Pepsi 12-packs for $2.97 each, with a purchase limit. A recent Target listing puts a Coke 12-pack at $8.89 before promotions. That’s an old sale against a newer regular price, but it makes checking the flyer seem worthwhile.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
A package of cookies was an easy extra to toss into the cart. But measured by the pound, chocolate chip cookies averaged about $4.02 in May 2021, compared with roughly $5.15 in September 2026. They haven’t made the biggest jump here. They’ve just joined the growing collection of purchases that cost a little more than expected.
Hershey’s Cocoa
A can of cocoa is easy to overlook until it’s time to make brownies, frosting, or hot chocolate. In a November 2021 Kroger baking promotion, an eight-ounce can of Hershey’s cocoa was listed at $3.99. The recent Walmart page checked lists it at $5.97. Apparently, even making the treats yourself comes with a little sticker shock.
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A Big Jar Of Jif
Buying the bigger jar of peanut butter felt like the sensible decision. It lasted longer, covered plenty of lunches, and didn’t seem particularly expensive. A 40-ounce jar of Jif was advertised for $4.69 in 2021. A recent Walmart listing puts that size at $7.32. Five dollars still buys a smaller jar, but it doesn’t cover this one.
Cavernia, Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
A Small Whole Chicken
Buying a whole chicken and cooking it at home is a familiar way to stretch the grocery budget. Using national average prices, a three-pound fresh chicken worked out to about $4.46 in May 2021. That same weight worked out to roughly $6.19 in September 2026. These are calculated estimates, with the cooking still left to do.
A Family Pack Of Eggo Waffles
The family pack was supposed to keep breakfast simple. Put a couple in the toaster, find the syrup, and get everyone out the door. In November 2021, 24-count boxes of Eggo Homestyle or Buttermilk waffles were advertised for $4.99. A recent Walmart listing puts the 24-count Homestyle box around $5.75. The syrup still costs extra.
PenguinSnail, Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
Ground Beef
Ground beef was supposed to be the affordable way to put meat on the table. In May 2021, the U.S. average was about $4.10 a pound. By September 2026, it was roughly $6.79. That’s just the beef. The buns, cheese, and whatever everyone wants on the side still have to go into the cart.
Robert Loescher, Wikimedia Commons
DiGiorno Frozen Pizza
Keeping a frozen pizza in the freezer was the backup plan for a night when nobody wanted to cook. In November 2021, an advertisement offered full-size DiGiorno pizzas for $4.99. Walmart recently listed 24.6- to 24.7-ounce Rising Crust varieties at $5.97. Still cheaper than plenty of takeout orders, but that old five-dollar dinner takes a little more hunting.
A Jar Of Hellmann’s
It’s mayonnaise. Somehow, that makes the price a little more irritating. A 30-ounce jar of Hellmann’s was advertised on sale for $4.19 in 2021. A recent H-E-B listing prices the same size at $6.52 before any offers. That old sale price looks particularly appealing when the condiment alone now takes more than five dollars at the listed price.
Eric Fischer, Wikimedia Commons
Potato Chips
Five dollars for potato chips once sounded like plenty. In May 2021, the national average for 16 ounces was approximately $4.93. By September 2026, it was about $6.67. A smaller bag might still leave change from a five, but buying a full pound tells a different story. And that’s before anyone asks for dip.
Party-Size Doritos
Apparently, even the snacks need a bigger budget. A recorded Walmart price from 2021 lists party-size Nacho Cheese Doritos at $3.98 for a 15.5-ounce bag. A recent listing shows $5.94 for 14.5 ounces. Yes, the newer bag in that comparison is smaller, too. Paying more is annoying enough without getting less to pass around.
The Price Depends On What’s In The Package
When did finding an ordinary grocery item for less than five dollars start feeling like a small victory?
Allef Vinicius, Unsplash, Enhanced
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