Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Drop, Analysis Shows

Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Decline for Third Consecutive Year, Though Regional Price Gaps Persist

The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner has decreased for the third straight year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual survey. This year’s classic feast for ten people is priced at $55.18, or approximately $5.52 per person, representing a 5% reduction from 2024 prices.

Turkey prices are driving the overall decline, with a 16-pound frozen turkey now averaging $21.50, or $1.34 per pound—more than 16% cheaper than last year. Grocery retailers are offering aggressive discounts on turkeys to attract customers who have experienced significant price increases in recent years, despite ongoing challenges in the poultry industry from avian influenza outbreaks.

The AFBF survey revealed mixed price movements across traditional Thanksgiving ingredients. Six of the twelve classic items saw price decreases, including wheat-based products such as dinner rolls and stuffing, benefiting from lower wheat commodity prices. However, several side dishes have become more expensive, with sweet potatoes up 37%, frozen peas increasing 17.2%, vegetable trays surging more than 61%, and whole milk rising 16.3% compared to 2024.

For those serving a more contemporary Thanksgiving spread, which the Farm Bureau measures by adding boneless ham, Russet potatoes, and frozen green beans to the traditional menu, the total cost reaches $77.09 for ten people. This expanded menu shows only a marginal year-over-year decrease of 28 cents.

Despite three consecutive years of price declines, the AFBF’s analysis includes an important caveat: this year’s Thanksgiving meal remains more expensive than pre-pandemic levels. While prices have retreated from their 2022 peak of $64.05, they have not returned to what consumers once considered normal before inflation surged during the pandemic.

The survey also highlights significant regional price disparities across the United States. Families in the Western states, including the Pacific Northwest, face substantially higher costs for their Thanksgiving celebrations. The classic meal in the West averages $61.75, approximately 12% above the national average and more than $11 higher than in Southern states, where the same meal costs about $50.01.

The expanded Thanksgiving menu shows even greater regional differences, with Western households paying nearly $85 compared to approximately $71 in the South. These regional variations reflect differences in supply chain costs, local economic conditions, and regional food distribution networks.

Food economists attribute the general price decline to stabilizing supply chains following pandemic disruptions and moderating inflation in certain food categories. However, persistent weather challenges, labor shortages in agriculture, and continued disease pressures in livestock sectors continue to affect specific food items.

For consumers planning their Thanksgiving shopping, experts recommend comparing prices across retailers, taking advantage of loyalty program discounts, and considering alternative options for particularly expensive items. Many grocery chains offer free or discounted turkeys with minimum purchase requirements, potentially providing additional savings for households preparing for the holiday.

The AFBF survey, conducted annually since 1986, serves as a widely referenced benchmark for tracking Thanksgiving meal costs and broader food inflation trends. The organization collects pricing data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to develop national and regional averages for the traditional holiday feast.

While the overall trend toward more affordable Thanksgiving meals provides welcome relief for many American households, the regional disparities and still-elevated prices compared to pre-pandemic levels underscore the complex economic factors that continue to influence food costs across the country.