Survey shows Thanksgiving dinner costs are down this year; local grocery prices align
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Shopping for Thanksgiving this year likely put less of a strain on people’s wallets this year, according to a survey.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving survey shows a Thanksgiving dinner was down about 5% in 2025, compared to 2024. The report states an average dinner for 10 people costs roughly $55.18, or $5.52 per person. The country last saw a record-high cost in 2022, when the average dinner for 10 cost $64.05.
The items within the survey include a turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
People who include a boneless ham, russet potatoes or frozen green beans on the menu this year will pay slightly more, sitting at $77.09.
The most notable items that saw a drop in prices this year are the turkey, stuffing and dinner rolls. The turkey–which some consider a staple at the table– saw the largest decrease of 16.3%. Dinner rolls weren’t too far behind and decreased by 14.6%.
Other popular items, such as whipped cream, pumpkin pie mix and frozen peas saw a hike in prices this year compared to last. Sweet potatoes jumped by about 37% and a gallon of milk, by 16.3%. However, anyone who purchased a veggie tray saw the biggest increase in price of all items, increasing by 61.3%.
An ABC 17 News reporter went to grocery stores around the City of Columbia to see how national prices compare to the local price. The results from the survey, Trader Joe’s and the Schnucks on Providence Road are listed below:
Survey:
16 pound turkey: $21.50 or $1.34 per pound
Stuffing mix: $3.71
Two frozen pie crusts: $3.37
Half pint of heavy whipping cream: $1.87
1 pound of frozen peas: $2.03
12 dinner rolls: $3.56
Pumpkin pie mix (30 ounces): $4.16
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.73
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $4.00
12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.28
Schnucks:
16 pound turkey: $1.99 per pound
Stuffing mix: $1.19
Two frozen pie crusts: $4.59
Pint of heavy whipping cream: $6.64
1 pound of frozen peas: $1.19
Hawaiian rolls: $3.99
Pumpkin pie mix (30 ounces): $5.09
1 gallon of whole milk: $4.24
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $1.17
12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.49
Trader Joe’s:
16 pound turkey: $2.49 per pound
Stuffing mix: $4.99
Two gluten free frozen pie crusts: $5.49
Pint of heavy whipping cream: $3.99
1 pound of frozen peas: $1.79
8 dinner rolls: $2.99
Pumpkin pie mix (30 ounces): $2.49
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.99
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $4.18
12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.49
According to Hy-Vee’s website, the lowest price for a fresh whole turkey is $2.48 per pound, while the cheapest stuffing mix hovers around $1.88. Sweet potatoes cost about 41 cents.
Those who choose to shop at Walmart may save some money. A fresh turkey cost $1.47 per pound, while the cheapest stuffing mix is $1.88. However, a sweet potato will cost roughly 77 cents.
Columbia shoppers most notably will pay slightly more for their turkey this holiday compared to national prices.
Kathy Reineking, is Trader Joe’s shopper from Georgia, but came to Columbia for the week to host Thanksgiving for her family. Reineking said she headed into the grocery store thinking she would shell out a lot more money than she did, especially the turkey she purchased from Hy-Vee.
“I’ve seen it be as much as $3 at other places so I don’t know if that was a better price than what it would normally be but I thought it was a really good price,” Reineking said. “I haven’t shopped as much as I did last year at this time but I’d say to me they’re (grocery prices) are about the same.”
Others, like Rita Fleisch say they’ve been feeling the financial strain all year long, something that’s only increased during the holidays.
“It’s been really chaotic because of the tariffs and everything, we try to adjust with our eating habits to accommodate what’s available and then on sale,” Fleisch said. “Basic needs like flour, sugar or salt, everything’s more expensive.”
According to the survey from the farm bureau, the Midwest will pay the second least amount on a Thanksgiving dinner this year, sitting at $54.38. The south will pay the least at $50.01, while people on the northeast and west coast will pay more than $60 for 10 people this year.