Whole Chicken Prices: US Price per Pound, 1980–2026
The US city average price of a whole fresh chicken was $2.064 per pound in Sep 2026, according to BLS average price data (via FRED). That is 0.1% higher than a year earlier. Since January 2018 ($1.509), it is up 36.8%. In our data, which starts Jan 1980, the highest price was $2.086 (Jun 2025) and the lowest was $0.628 (May 1980).
Whole Chicken Prices since Jan 1980
Chicken, whole. Monthly values. Weight in the Real Inflation index: 1.6%.
Last 24 months
| Month | Price | vs year before |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | $2.064 | +0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | $2.012 | -3.1% |
| Jul 2026 | $2.005 | -3.5% |
| Jun 2026 | $2.044 | -2.0% |
| May 2026 | $2.036 | -1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | $2.026 | -1.6% |
| Mar 2026 | $2.033 | -1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | $2.049 | -0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | $2.041 | -1.0% |
| Dec 2025 | $2.020 | -2.0% |
| Nov 2025 | $2.044 | -1.5% |
| Oct 2025 | no data | |
| Sep 2025 | $2.061 | +4.1% |
| Aug 2025 | $2.076 | +4.4% |
| Jul 2025 | $2.078 | +4.5% |
| Jun 2025 | $2.086 | +3.9% |
| May 2025 | $2.061 | +2.4% |
| Apr 2025 | $2.059 | +5.4% |
| Mar 2025 | $2.064 | +3.7% |
| Feb 2025 | $2.051 | +5.1% |
| Jan 2025 | $2.061 | +3.7% |
| Dec 2024 | $2.061 | +5.4% |
| Nov 2024 | $2.076 | +5.1% |
| Oct 2024 | $1.987 | +3.2% |
| Sep 2024 | $1.979 | +4.1% |
Yearly averages since 2000
| Year | Average | Lowest month | Highest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (9 months) | $2.034 | $2.005 | $2.064 |
| 2025 (11 months) | $2.060 | $2.020 | $2.086 |
| 2024 | $1.998 | $1.951 | $2.076 |
| 2023 | $1.914 | $1.855 | $1.976 |
| 2022 | $1.801 | $1.622 | $1.891 |
| 2021 | $1.527 | $1.435 | $1.606 |
| 2020 (11 months) | $1.563 | $1.362 | $1.747 |
| 2019 | $1.495 | $1.430 | $1.590 |
| 2018 | $1.497 | $1.444 | $1.523 |
| 2017 | $1.472 | $1.418 | $1.499 |
| 2016 | $1.464 | $1.408 | $1.502 |
| 2015 | $1.488 | $1.415 | $1.550 |
| 2014 | $1.533 | $1.495 | $1.572 |
| 2013 | $1.496 | $1.456 | $1.543 |
| 2012 | $1.422 | $1.334 | $1.530 |
| 2011 | $1.291 | $1.241 | $1.340 |
| 2010 | $1.263 | $1.230 | $1.302 |
| 2009 | $1.278 | $1.244 | $1.304 |
| 2008 | $1.207 | $1.159 | $1.305 |
| 2007 | $1.115 | $1.033 | $1.166 |
| 2006 | $1.049 | $1.034 | $1.063 |
| 2005 | $1.056 | $1.026 | $1.075 |
| 2004 | $1.070 | $1.030 | $1.120 |
| 2003 | $1.034 | $1.004 | $1.068 |
| 2002 | $1.074 | $1.027 | $1.111 |
| 2001 | $1.105 | $1.090 | $1.133 |
| 2000 | $1.071 | $1.046 | $1.090 |
Source
FRED series APU0000706111
BLS data series APU0000706111
BLS Average Price Data
Download the full history (CSV, item_id
APU0000706111)Notes and caveats
- BLS average prices are US city averages collected for the CPI. They describe a typical item, not one brand or store. BLS notes that average prices are best used to compare price levels in a given month; for price change over time, the CPI index for the item category is more appropriate.
- Missing months since 2000 (the source published no value): May 2020, Oct 2025. The chart and tables leave these months blank.
FAQ
How much is a pound of whole chicken now?
The US city average price of a whole fresh chicken was $2.064 per pound in Sep 2026 (+0.1% vs a year earlier). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) average price data, via FRED.
How much was a pound of whole chicken in 2018?
In January 2018 the US city average price of a whole fresh chicken was $1.509 per pound. Since then it has changed +36.8%.
When was a pound of whole chicken most expensive?
In our data (starting Jan 1980), the highest price was $2.086 (Jun 2025). The lowest was $0.628 (May 1980).
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.