Restaurant Prices: CPI Food Away From Home History
The CPI index for food away from home (restaurants and takeout) stood at 398.8 in Sep 2026. That is 3.5% higher than a year earlier. Since January 2018 (272.8), it is up 46.2%. In our data, which starts Jan 1953, the highest level was 398.8 (Sep 2026) and the lowest was 21.4 (Jan 1953).
Restaurant Prices since Jan 1953
CPI food away from home (eating out). Monthly values. Not part of the Real Inflation index (shown for comparison).
Last 24 months
| Month | Index level | vs year before |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 398.8 | +3.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 397.9 | +3.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 396.9 | +3.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 395.6 | +3.4% |
| May 2026 | 394.7 | +3.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 393.5 | +3.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 392.7 | +3.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 391.7 | +3.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 390.5 | +4.0% |
| Dec 2025 | 389.9 | +4.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 387.2 | +3.7% |
| Oct 2025 | no data | |
| Sep 2025 | 385.5 | +3.7% |
| Aug 2025 | 384.9 | +3.9% |
| Jul 2025 | 383.8 | +3.9% |
| Jun 2025 | 382.8 | +3.8% |
| May 2025 | 381.2 | +3.8% |
| Apr 2025 | 380.0 | +3.9% |
| Mar 2025 | 378.4 | +3.8% |
| Feb 2025 | 377.0 | +3.7% |
| Jan 2025 | 375.5 | +3.4% |
| Dec 2024 | 374.6 | +3.6% |
| Nov 2024 | 373.5 | +3.6% |
| Oct 2024 | 372.5 | +3.8% |
| Sep 2024 | 371.6 | +3.9% |
Yearly averages since 2000
| Year | Average | Lowest month | Highest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (9 months) | 394.7 | 390.5 | 398.8 |
| 2025 (11 months) | 382.4 | 375.5 | 389.9 |
| 2024 | 368.7 | 363.2 | 374.6 |
| 2023 | 354.3 | 345.7 | 361.6 |
| 2022 | 330.8 | 319.5 | 343.6 |
| 2021 | 307.3 | 300.4 | 317.4 |
| 2020 | 293.9 | 289.1 | 299.4 |
| 2019 | 284.4 | 280.4 | 288.1 |
| 2018 | 275.9 | 272.8 | 279.4 |
| 2017 | 268.8 | 266.1 | 271.8 |
| 2016 | 262.7 | 260.0 | 265.1 |
| 2015 | 256.1 | 253.0 | 259.1 |
| 2014 | 249.0 | 245.5 | 252.6 |
| 2013 | 243.1 | 240.7 | 245.3 |
| 2012 | 238.0 | 235.3 | 240.4 |
| 2011 | 231.4 | 228.2 | 234.4 |
| 2010 | 226.1 | 224.9 | 227.7 |
| 2009 | 223.3 | 221.3 | 224.8 |
| 2008 | 215.8 | 211.1 | 220.7 |
| 2007 | 206.7 | 203.2 | 210.2 |
| 2006 | 199.4 | 196.6 | 202.2 |
| 2005 | 193.4 | 190.8 | 196.0 |
| 2004 | 187.5 | 184.9 | 189.9 |
| 2003 | 182.1 | 179.9 | 184.3 |
| 2002 | 178.3 | 176.4 | 180.1 |
| 2001 | 173.8 | 171.4 | 176.0 |
| 2000 | 169.0 | 167.2 | 170.8 |
Source
FRED series CUSR0000SEFV
BLS Consumer Price Index
Download the full history (CSV, item_id
CUSR0000SEFV)Notes and caveats
- This is a BLS price index, not a dollar price, so only percent changes are meaningful. It is shown for comparison and is not part of the Real Inflation index.
- Missing months since 2000 (the source published no value): Oct 2025. The chart and tables leave these months blank.
FAQ
What is the latest CPI food away from home index reading?
The CPI index for food away from home (restaurants and takeout) stood at 398.8 in Sep 2026 (+3.5% vs a year earlier). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI, seasonally adjusted, via FRED.
What was the CPI food away from home index in January 2018?
In January 2018 the CPI index for food away from home (restaurants and takeout) stood at 272.8. Since then it has changed +46.2%.
What was the highest CPI food away from home index on record?
In our data (starting Jan 1953), the highest level was 398.8 (Sep 2026). The lowest was 21.4 (Jan 1953).
How often is this page updated?
The source publishes monthly. We refresh every week, so the page updates soon after each new month is released.