Inflation rose overall in the month of May, with the consumer price index rising 0.5% during the month, following a 0.6% increase in April. Over a 12-month period, consumer prices are up 4.2%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, energy was the main culprit for the rise, with the agency stating, “the energy index accounted for over sixty percent of the monthly all items increase.”
That can certainly be seen in the price of gasoline.
The average of $5.62 across the Western United States is the highest gas prices have been since June 2022.
Food prices are still increasing, but there are some signs of improvement over the last month. In some ways, it seems like cow products are continuing to be expensive, while chicken products are getting better.
Beef and milk prices are both up significantly in milk, while chicken and egg prices are both down across the West (eggs significantly so).
Since Donald Trump took office in late January 2025, we’ve been tracking prices on a few essential grocery items in the West and across the U.S. Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the latest set of data on prices, and we’ll continue to update this page with the latest information.
Editor’s Note: President Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer on Aug. 1, 2025 due to disappointing jobs numbers in July. McEntarfer told the Sierra Nevada Ally that the numbers from the agency will continue to be reliable unless staff voices otherwise.
Credit Bureau of Labor Statistics / Sierra Nevada Ally
The Sierra Nevada Ally is working on building a more robust tracker from additional sources, and hopes to launch that later this year. Donate now to help support this mission.
Prices: May 2026
Loaf of whole-wheat bread:
$2.81 U.S. city average (+1.81% since Trump took office)
No West region data available
Dozen eggs, large, grade A:
$2.19 U.S. city average (-55.76% since Trump took office)
No West region data available
Gallon whole milk:
$4.54 West region average (+9.66% since Trump took office)
$4.22 U.S. city average (+4.71% since Trump took office)
Boneless Chicken Breast, one pound:
$4.67 West region average (-4.11% since Trump took office)
$4.17 U.S. city average (+5.04% since Trump took office)
Ground beef, one pound:
$6.71 West region average (+12.58% since Trump took office)
$6.75 U.S. city average (+21.62% since Trump took office)
Liter of red or white table wine:
$14.60 West region average (-3.95% since Trump took office)
$13.84 U.S. city average (-1.42% since Trump took office)
Gallon of gasoline (unleaded regular):
$5.62 West region average (+43.37% since Trump took office)
$4.65 U.S. city average (+44.86% since Trump took office)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Dining and Cooking