(The Center Square) – Milk and bread prices have decreased month over month and since the first of January among consumer grocery staples in North Carolina’s capital city.
Prices for eggs are up, and beef is nominally increased, according to Numbeo, a crowd-sourced database with costs of living and other factors for cities and countries globally.
On average in Raleigh, a gallon of regular milk is $3.25, down 8 cents from a month ago and 8.7% since early January; and bread is $3.34 for a loaf of fresh white, down 27 cents from May and 8.5% since Jan. 5.
On the rise are eggs, up 42 cents the last month and 6.1% from January to $4.85 for a dozen large; and a pound of beef round, up 10 cents from May and 2.9% from January to $7.78.
For context, across the country just as in Raleigh, different areas could be experiencing fluctuations and not across the board increases or decreases.
Compared to Inauguration Day on average in Raleigh, milk (25 cents) and bread (27 cents) are less; eggs (79 cents) and beef (8 cents) remain up.
Consumer prices have been a focus of the Trump administration, and predictably, the economy and family costs are pivotal to a number of campaigns in the 2026 midterms.
There have been tariff battles and new trade agreements, all part of the president’s desire to fulfill campaign promises on the economy. The Center Square monitors consumer staples as part of its mission in government accountability.
Here’s a look at some measures of consumer prices for Raleigh and the nation:
• Milk (regular, 1 gallon): $3.33, on a range of $2.04 to $4.09. The national average is $4.01, on a range of $2.80 to $8.25.
• Eggs (regular, large, dozen): $4.485, on a range of $1.96 to $6.50. The national average is $4.36, on a range of $1.99 to $8.31.
• Beef round (1 pound, equivalent back leg red meat): $7.78, on a range of $6 to $9. The national average is $7.72, on a range of $4.74 to $12.
• Bread (load, fresh white, 1 pound): $3.34, on a range of $1.99 to $4.50. The national average is $3.29, on a range of $1.81 to $6.60.
The latest rate of inflation released in May for April is 3.8%, a jump of 1.4% in two months. The next release is June 10 for the May period.
