Key findings:
- The average cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. rose from $0.84 in 1980 to $4.71 in 2025, with prices staying under $2 until the mid-2010s.
- Between January 2020 and Mar 2025, egg prices jumped 325%, peaking at $6.23 per dozen, reflecting extreme volatility after decades of stability.
- Year-over-year growth hit 150% in January 2023, the sharpest surge in decades, before collapsing in 2023 and rebounding strongly through 2025.
- Wholesale egg prices reached $8.22 per dozen in February 2025, outpacing retail costs by more than $2.
- Regional variation is stark: Hawaii leads at $9.73 per dozen versus just $4.24 in Missouri, with per-egg costs ranging from $0.35 to $0.81 nationwide.
- Egg prices have shifted from a predictable staple to a leading indicator of food inflation.
Why egg prices matter?
Eggs are one of the most basic grocery items in the U.S., so any shift in the egg price quickly becomes a topic of national attention. In recent years, many shoppers have searched online to determine the cost of eggs or to check the current price, reflecting the importance of this product in everyday meals.
The increase in costs has also raised questions like why eggs are expensive compared to other essentials, and what factors are behind egg inflation. From household budgets to restaurant supply chains, the rising cost of a dozen eggs affected both families and businesses.
The popularity of this topic comes down to three main reasons: affordability, nutrition, and visibility. Eggs are a universal ingredient in American kitchens, making the egg price a key indicator of living costs. When eggs become more expensive, it’s not just a minor grocery adjustment; it signals wider economic pressures that consumers immediately feel.
So, how much do eggs cost?
The average price of eggs in the U.S.
The chart below tracks the average cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. from 1980 through 2025. By reviewing this long timeline, readers can better understand the average cost of a dozen eggs in different decades and how it has changed. Although eggs remained relatively affordable for decades, recent years have shown sharp increases, pushing the average price of a dozen eggs to historic highs.
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
- In 1980, the average cost for a dozen eggs was just $0.84, compared to $4.71 in 2025.
- Egg prices stayed mostly under $2.00 per dozen until 2014, when they first reached $2.02.
- The largest jump came after 2021, with the average rising from $1.67 in 2021 to $4.71 in 2025.
What is the average cost of a dozen eggs over time?
| Year | Average price per dozen, $ |
| 1980 | $0.84 |
| 1981 | $0.90 |
| 1982 | $0.87 |
| 1983 | $0.89 |
| 1984 | $1.00 |
| 1985 | $0.80 |
| 1986 | $0.87 |
| 1987 | $0.78 |
| 1988 | $0.79 |
| 1989 | $1.00 |
| 1990 | $1.01 |
| 1991 | $0.99 |
| 1992 | $0.86 |
| 1993 | $0.91 |
| 1994 | $0.86 |
| 1995 | $0.92 |
| 1996 | $1.11 |
| 1997 | $1.06 |
| 1998 | $1.04 |
| 1999 | $0.96 |
| 2000 | $0.91 |
| 2001 | $0.93 |
| 2002 | $1.03 |
| 2003 | $1.24 |
| 2004 | $1.34 |
| 2005 | $1.22 |
| 2006 | $1.31 |
| 2007 | $1.68 |
| 2008 | $1.99 |
| 2009 | $1.66 |
| 2010 | $1.66 |
| 2011 | $1.77 |
| 2012 | $1.84 |
| 2013 | $1.91 |
| 2014 | $2.02 |
| 2015 | $2.47 |
| 2016 | $1.68 |
| 2017 | $1.47 |
| 2018 | $1.74 |
| 2019 | $1.40 |
| 2020 | $1.51 |
| 2021 | $1.67 |
| 2022 | $2.86 |
| 2023 | $2.80 |
| 2024 | $3.17 |
| 2025 | $4.71 |
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
Looking at the historical data, eggs were a consistently low-cost item in the U.S. for more than three decades, rarely exceeding $2.00 per dozen. However, since the mid-2000s, volatility has increased, and in the 2020s, prices have increased at an unprecedented pace. The long-run perspective highlights that the average price of eggs has shifted from being one of the cheapest grocery items to a key indicator of food inflation.
After looking at the long-term averages, it’s important to zoom in and examine the price of eggs over time to understand how quickly costs shifted in recent years.
Egg prices over time: monthly trends
The chart below presents an egg chart showing monthly prices for Grade A large eggs from January 2020 through August 2025.
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
- The price of a dozen eggs jumped from $1.46 in January 2020 to a peak of $6.23 in March 2025, marking a more than 325% increase.
- In just one year, eggs rose from $1.93 in January 2022 to $4.82 in January 2023, the sharpest 12-month surge in decades.
- Prices decreased briefly to $2.09 in July 2023, but by early 2025, they surged again, reaching nearly $6.00 in February 2025.
Average price of eggs by month
| Month | Average price per dozen, $ |
| Jan-2020 | $1.46 |
| Feb-2020 | $1.45 |
| Mar-2020 | $1.53 |
| Apr-2020 | $2.02 |
| May-2020 | $1.64 |
| Jun-2020 | $1.55 |
| Jul-2020 | $1.40 |
| Aug-2020 | $1.33 |
| Sep-2020 | $1.35 |
| Oct-2020 | $1.41 |
| Nov-2020 | $1.45 |
| Dec-2020 | $1.48 |
| Jan-2021 | $1.47 |
| Feb-2021 | $1.60 |
| Mar-2021 | $1.63 |
| Apr-2021 | $1.62 |
| May-2021 | $1.63 |
| Jun-2021 | $1.64 |
| Jul-2021 | $1.64 |
| Aug-2021 | $1.71 |
| Sep-2021 | $1.84 |
| Oct-2021 | $1.82 |
| Nov-2021 | $1.72 |
| Dec-2021 | $1.79 |
| Jan-2022 | $1.93 |
| Feb-2022 | $2.01 |
| Mar-2022 | $2.05 |
| Apr-2022 | $2.52 |
| May-2022 | $2.86 |
| Jun-2022 | $2.71 |
| Jul-2022 | $2.94 |
| Aug-2022 | $3.12 |
| Sep-2022 | $2.90 |
| Oct-2022 | $3.42 |
| Nov-2022 | $3.59 |
| Dec-2022 | $4.25 |
| Jan-2023 | $4.82 |
| Feb-2023 | $4.21 |
| Mar-2023 | $3.45 |
| Apr-2023 | $3.27 |
| May-2023 | $2.67 |
| Jun-2023 | $2.22 |
| Jul-2023 | $2.09 |
| Aug-2023 | $2.04 |
| Sep-2023 | $2.07 |
| Oct-2023 | $2.07 |
| Nov-2023 | $2.14 |
| Dec-2023 | $2.51 |
| Jan-2024 | $2.52 |
| Feb-2024 | $3.00 |
| Mar-2024 | $2.99 |
| Apr-2024 | $2.86 |
| May-2024 | $2.70 |
| Jun-2024 | $2.72 |
| Jul-2024 | $3.08 |
| Aug-2024 | $3.20 |
| Sep-2024 | $3.82 |
| Oct-2024 | $3.37 |
| Nov-2024 | $3.65 |
| Dec-2024 | $4.15 |
| Jan-2025 | $4.95 |
| Feb-2025 | $5.90 |
| Mar-2025 | $6.23 |
| Apr-2025 | $5.12 |
| May-2025 | $4.55 |
| Jun-2025 | $3.78 |
| Jul-2025 | $3.60 |
| Aug-2025 | $3.59 |
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
The monthly timeline shows that egg prices, once remarkably stable, became highly volatile after 2020. Periods of supply chain disruption, disease outbreaks, and broader inflationary pressures led to record highs, with prices more than tripling within just three years. Looking at these egg statistics, it is clear that eggs are no longer a predictable low-cost staple but instead a sensitive marker of market instability. The price of eggs over time provides both consumers and analysts with insights into how quickly household essentials can shift under economic stress.
After reviewing long-term averages and monthly price movements, it becomes clear that the next focus is not just prices themselves but how egg inflation has created record surges.
Egg prices change year-over-year
The chart below shows year-over-year percentage changes in egg prices from 2020 to 2025. This visualization highlights the periods when eggs became expensive and a widespread concern, especially during late 2022 and early 2023.
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
- From December 2021 to December 2022, egg prices rose by 137.7%, the fastest single-year increase in decades.
- The peak surge came in January 2023, with prices 150% higher year-over-year.
- After a sharp decline in 2023 (falling more than 40% YoY by December 2023), prices surged again, reaching 108% YoY growth in March 2025.
Tracking the rise in egg prices over time
| Month | Price percent change YoY, % |
| Jan-2020 | -5.98% |
| Feb-2020 | -6.94% |
| Mar-2020 | -1.23% |
| Apr-2020 | 38.00% |
| May-2020 | 20.41% |
| Jun-2020 | 29.18% |
| Jul-2020 | 12.71% |
| Aug-2020 | 8.94% |
| Sep-2020 | -2.17% |
| Oct-2020 | 9.83% |
| Nov-2020 | 3.20% |
| Dec-2020 | -3.52% |
| Jan-2021 | 0.34% |
| Feb-2021 | 10.21% |
| Mar-2021 | 6.56% |
| Apr-2021 | -19.76% |
| May-2021 | -0.91% |
| Jun-2021 | 5.66% |
| Jul-2021 | 17.20% |
| Aug-2021 | 28.69% |
| Sep-2021 | 35.62% |
| Oct-2021 | 29.33% |
| Nov-2021 | 18.48% |
| Dec-2021 | 20.73% |
| Jan-2022 | 31.58% |
| Feb-2022 | 25.55% |
| Mar-2022 | 25.91% |
| Apr-2022 | 55.56% |
| May-2022 | 76.18% |
| Jun-2022 | 64.86% |
| Jul-2022 | 78.81% |
| Aug-2022 | 82.33% |
| Sep-2022 | 58.15% |
| Oct-2022 | 87.75% |
| Nov-2022 | 108.91% |
| Dec-2022 | 137.70% |
| Jan-2023 | 150.03% |
| Feb-2023 | 110.02% |
| Mar-2023 | 68.43% |
| Apr-2023 | 29.76% |
| May-2023 | -6.88% |
| Jun-2023 | -18.03% |
| Jul-2023 | -28.68% |
| Aug-2023 | -34.44% |
| Sep-2023 | -28.84% |
| Oct-2023 | -39.40% |
| Nov-2023 | -40.43% |
| Dec-2023 | -41.01% |
| Jan-2024 | -47.71% |
| Feb-2024 | -28.85% |
| Mar-2024 | -13.17% |
| Apr-2024 | -12.42% |
| May-2024 | 1.24% |
| Jun-2024 | 22.35% |
| Jul-2024 | 47.09% |
| Aug-2024 | 56.83% |
| Sep-2024 | 85.04% |
| Oct-2024 | 62.64% |
| Nov-2024 | 70.67% |
| Dec-2024 | 65.38% |
| Jan-2025 | 96.39% |
| Feb-2025 | 96.83% |
| Mar-2025 | 108.12% |
| Apr-2025 | 78.84% |
| May-2025 | 68.51% |
| Jun-2025 | 39.04% |
| Jul-2025 | 16.85% |
| Aug-2025 | 11.95% |
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
The data shows that how expensive eggs are is closely tied to volatility rather than steady growth. Short bursts of inflation in 2022 and 2025 made eggs one of the most unpredictable grocery items in the U.S. While 2023 brought temporary relief, the rebound in 2024-2025 underscored how fragile the market remains. Tracking these year-over-year changes highlights eggs as both a household essential and a leading indicator of food inflation shocks.
After exploring overall price increases, it is important to look deeper into how wholesale egg prices compare with retail costs, and what this reveals about the broader eggs market.
Wholesale and retail egg prices
The following chart compares average retail prices per dozen eggs with average wholesale egg prices from 2020 to 2025. These figures reflect trends in egg commodity prices, showing how fluctuations in the wholesale market are passed along, or sometimes absorbed, before reaching consumers.
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111 and U.S. Department of Agriculture – https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/livestock-and-meat-domestic-data2
- In April 2020, wholesale eggs reached a peak of $2.12 per dozen, surpassing retail prices for the first time during the pandemic.
- By December 2022, wholesale eggs had climbed to $4.92 per dozen, while retail prices reached $4.25, indicating that wholesale costs were outpacing consumer prices.
- The sharpest divergence came in February 2025, when wholesale prices hit $8.22 per dozen, while retail eggs averaged $5.90, a gap of $2.32.
Wholesale vs. retail egg prices: tracking market gaps
| Month | Average retail price per dozen, $ | Average wholesale price per dozen, $ |
| Jan-2020 | $1.46 | $0.79 |
| Feb-2020 | $1.45 | $1.04 |
| Mar-2020 | $1.53 | $1.46 |
| Apr-2020 | $2.02 | $2.12 |
| May-2020 | $1.64 | $0.91 |
| Jun-2020 | $1.55 | $0.77 |
| Jul-2020 | $1.40 | $0.81 |
| Aug-2020 | $1.33 | $0.74 |
| Sep-2020 | $1.35 | $0.90 |
| Oct-2020 | $1.41 | $1.10 |
| Nov-2020 | $1.45 | $1.10 |
| Dec-2020 | $1.48 | $0.87 |
| Jan-2021 | $1.47 | $0.94 |
| Feb-2021 | $1.60 | $1.28 |
| Mar-2021 | $1.63 | $1.35 |
| Apr-2021 | $1.62 | $1.06 |
| May-2021 | $1.63 | $0.85 |
| Jun-2021 | $1.64 | $0.90 |
| Jul-2021 | $1.64 | $0.98 |
| Aug-2021 | $1.71 | $1.13 |
| Sep-2021 | $1.84 | $1.31 |
| Oct-2021 | $1.82 | $1.06 |
| Nov-2021 | $1.72 | $1.11 |
| Dec-2021 | $1.79 | $1.57 |
| Jan-2022 | $1.93 | $1.37 |
| Feb-2022 | $2.01 | $1.75 |
| Mar-2022 | $2.05 | $1.69 |
| Apr-2022 | $2.52 | $2.71 |
| May-2022 | $2.86 | $2.51 |
| Jun-2022 | $2.71 | $2.18 |
| Jul-2022 | $2.94 | $3.18 |
| Aug-2022 | $3.12 | $2.45 |
| Sep-2022 | $2.90 | $2.85 |
| Oct-2022 | $3.42 | $3.41 |
| Nov-2022 | $3.59 | $3.82 |
| Dec-2022 | $4.25 | $4.92 |
| Jan-2023 | $4.82 | $4.32 |
| Feb-2023 | $4.21 | $2.62 |
| Mar-2023 | $3.45 | $2.87 |
| Apr-2023 | $3.27 | $2.16 |
| May-2023 | $2.67 | $1.00 |
| Jun-2023 | $2.22 | $1.18 |
| Jul-2023 | $2.09 | $1.18 |
| Aug-2023 | $2.04 | $1.30 |
| Sep-2023 | $2.07 | $1.47 |
| Oct-2023 | $2.07 | $1.24 |
| Nov-2023 | $2.14 | $1.91 |
| Dec-2023 | $2.51 | $1.98 |
| Jan-2024 | $2.52 | $2.16 |
| Feb-2024 | $3.00 | $3.18 |
| Mar-2024 | $2.99 | $2.32 |
| Apr-2024 | $2.86 | $2.50 |
| May-2024 | $2.70 | $1.78 |
| Jun-2024 | $2.72 | $2.52 |
| Jul-2024 | $3.08 | $2.47 |
| Aug-2024 | $3.20 | $3.80 |
| Sep-2024 | $3.82 | $3.47 |
| Oct-2024 | $3.37 | $2.72 |
| Nov-2024 | $3.65 | $4.26 |
| Dec-2024 | $4.15 | $4.49 |
| Jan-2025 | $4.95 | $6.41 |
| Feb-2025 | $5.90 | $8.22 |
| Mar-2025 | $6.23 | $5.13 |
| Apr-2025 | $5.12 | $3.72 |
| May-2025 | $4.55 | $3.45 |
| Jun-2025 | $3.78 | $3.01 |
| Jul-2025 | $3.60 | $3.40 |
Data taken from: FRED –https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111 and U.S. Department of Agriculture – https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/livestock-and-meat-domestic-data2
The data shows that wholesale egg prices are far more volatile than retail prices, with spikes in egg commodity prices often leading the market. Retailers tend to smooth consumer costs, but during extreme surges, such as late 2022 and early 2025, retail prices still followed upward trends. This pattern demonstrates how commodity eggs play a crucial role in shaping the egg market, making wholesale costs a leading indicator for future retail changes.
After analyzing national trends and wholesale-retail differences, it’s important to examine how much a dozen eggs varies regionally across the United States.
How much does a dozen eggs cost across the U.S?
The chart below presents egg prices per dozen across all U.S. states. Consumers often ask how much a dozen eggs cost or what the price of a dozen eggs is in their state, and this visualization provides a clear comparison. It highlights which areas have the most expensive eggs, such as Hawaii at $9.73 per dozen, and which states remain relatively affordable, like Missouri at $4.24 per dozen.
Data taken from: – World Population Review https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/egg-prices-by-state3
- Hawaii has the highest egg price at $9.73 per dozen, more than double the cost in Missouri ($4.24).
- Several states, including Arizona ($6.03), California ($6.05), Nevada ($6.07), Alabama ($6.12), and Florida ($6.36), are above $6 per dozen.
- The majority of Midwestern states, such as Iowa ($4.44) and Ohio ($4.39), have prices below $4.50 per dozen, showing regional affordability.
How much is a dozen eggs in every U.S. state?
| State | Eggs price per dozen, $ |
| Alabama | $6.12 |
| Alaska | $4.61 |
| Arizona | $6.03 |
| Arkansas | $4.95 |
| California | $6.05 |
| Colorado | $5.77 |
| Connecticut | $5.54 |
| Delaware | $4.79 |
| Florida | $6.36 |
| Georgia | $5.96 |
| Hawaii | $9.73 |
| Idaho | $5.09 |
| Illinois | $4.82 |
| Indiana | $4.33 |
| Iowa | $4.44 |
| Kansas | $4.41 |
| Kentucky | $4.51 |
| Louisiana | $5.59 |
| Maine | $5.84 |
| Maryland | $4.78 |
| Massachusetts | $5.04 |
| Michigan | $4.82 |
| Minnesota | $5.10 |
| Mississippi | $5.04 |
| Missouri | $4.24 |
| Montana | $5.46 |
| Nebraska | $4.25 |
| Nevada | $6.07 |
| New Hampshire | $4.91 |
| New Jersey | $5.05 |
| New Mexico | $5.65 |
| New York | $5.37 |
| North Carolina | $5.60 |
| North Dakota | $4.83 |
| Ohio | $4.39 |
| Oklahoma | $4.92 |
| Oregon | $4.81 |
| Pennsylvania | $4.52 |
| Rhode Island | $5.10 |
| South Carolina | $5.76 |
| South Dakota | $5.00 |
| Tennessee | $5.61 |
| Texas | $5.43 |
| Utah | $5.67 |
| Vermont | $5.70 |
| Virginia | $4.96 |
| Washington | $4.91 |
| West Virginia | $4.64 |
| Wisconsin | $4.78 |
| Wyoming | $5.84 |
Data taken from: – World Population Review https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/egg-prices-by-state3
What is the price of eggs in Alabama?
- The price of eggs in Alabama is $6.12.
What is the price of eggs in Alaska?
- The price of eggs in Alaska is $4.61.
What is the price of eggs in Arizona?
- The price of eggs in Arizona is $6.03.
What is the price of eggs in Arkansas?
- The price of eggs in Arkansas is $4.95.
What is the price of eggs in California?
- The price of eggs in California is $6.05.
What is the price of eggs in Colorado?
- The price of eggs in Colorado is $5.77.
What is the price of eggs in Connecticut?
- The price of eggs in Connecticut is $5.54.
What is the price of eggs in Delaware?
- The price of eggs in Delaware is $4.79.
What is the price of eggs in Florida?
- The price of eggs in Florida is $6.36.
What is the price of eggs in Georgia?
- The price of eggs in Georgia is $5.96.
What is the price of eggs in Hawaii?
- The price of eggs in Hawaii is $9.73.
What is the price of eggs in Idaho?
- The price of eggs in Idaho is $5.09.
What is the price of eggs in Illinois?
- The price of eggs in Illinois is $4.82.
What is the price of eggs in Indiana?
- The price of eggs in Indiana is $4.33.
What is the price of eggs in Iowa?
- The price of eggs in Iowa is $4.44.
What is the price of eggs in Kansas?
- The price of eggs in Kansas is $4.41.
What is the price of eggs in Kentucky?
- The price of eggs in Kentucky is $4.51.
What is the price of eggs in Louisiana?
- The price of eggs in Louisiana is $5.59.
What is the price of eggs in Maine?
- The price of eggs in Maine is $5.84.
What is the price of eggs in Maryland?
- The price of eggs in Maryland is $4.78.
What is the price of eggs in Massachusetts?
- The price of eggs in Massachusetts is $5.04.
What is the price of eggs in Michigan?
- The price of eggs in Michigan is $4.82.
What is the price of eggs in Minnesota?
- The price of eggs in Minnesota is $5.10.
What is the price of eggs in Mississippi?
- The price of eggs in Mississippi is $5.04.
What is the price of eggs in Missouri?
- The price of eggs in Missouri is $4.24.
What is the price of eggs in Montana?
- The price of eggs in Montana is $5.46.
What is the price of eggs in Nebraska?
- The price of eggs in Nebraska is $4.25.
What is the price of eggs in Nevada?
- The price of eggs in Nevada is $6.07.
What is the price of eggs in New Hampshire?
- The price of eggs in New Hampshire is $4.91.
What is the price of eggs in New Jersey?
- The price of eggs in New Jersey is $5.05.
What is the price of eggs in New Mexico?
- The price of eggs in New Mexico is $5.65.
What is the price of eggs in New York?
- The price of eggs in New York is $5.37.
What is the price of eggs in North Carolina?
- The price of eggs in North Carolina is $5.60.
What is the price of eggs in North Dakota?
- The price of eggs in North Dakota is $4.83.
What is the price of eggs in Ohio?
- The price of eggs in Ohio is $4.39.
What is the price of eggs in Oklahoma?
- The price of eggs in Oklahoma is $4.92.
What is the price of eggs in Oregon?
- The price of eggs in Oregon is $4.81.
What is the price of eggs in Pennsylvania?
- The price of eggs in Pennsylvania is $4.52.
What is the price of eggs in Rhode Island?
- The price of eggs in Rhode Island is $5.10.
What is the price of eggs in South Carolina?
- The price of eggs in South Carolina is $5.76.
What is the price of eggs in South Dakota?
- The price of eggs in South Dakota is $5.00.
What is the price of eggs in Tennessee?
- The price of eggs in Tennessee is $5.61.
What is the price of eggs in Texas?
- The price of eggs in Texas is $5.43.
What is the price of eggs in Utah?
- The price of eggs in Utah is $5.67.
What is the price of eggs in Vermont?
- The price of eggs in Vermont is $5.70.
What is the price of eggs in Virginia?
- The price of eggs in Virginia is $4.96.
What is the price of eggs in Washington?
- The price of eggs in Washington is $4.91.
What is the price of eggs in West Virginia?
- The price of eggs in West Virginia is $4.64.
What is the price of eggs in Wisconsin?
- The price of eggs in Wisconsin is $4.78.
What is the price of eggs in Wyoming?
- The price of eggs in Wyoming is $5.84.
Egg prices vary significantly across the U.S., reflecting differences in transportation, local production, and demand. Consumers asking how much eggs are a dozen will find large disparities, from under $4.50 in parts of the Midwest to nearly $10 in Hawaii. This state-level breakdown provides insight into regional affordability and the factors driving local pricing, illustrating that national averages often mask substantial local variation.
Building on regional egg prices, it’s important to break down costs further to see the price per egg, helping consumers understand the unit cost behind a carton of eggs.
Price per egg by state
The chart below illustrates the price of eggs per state across the U.S. While many shoppers are familiar with a carton of eggs, breaking it down to price per egg or cost per egg allows for easier comparison.
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
- Hawaii has the highest price per egg at $0.81, nearly double the U.S. median.
- Several states, including Florida ($0.53), Alabama ($0.51), and Nevada ($0.51), have prices above $0.50 per egg.
- Midwestern states such as Missouri ($0.35), Nebraska ($0.35), and Indiana ($0.36) are among the cheapest, under $0.37 per egg.
How much does a single egg cost in every state?
| State | Price per egg, $ |
| Missouri | $0.35 |
| Nebraska | $0.35 |
| Indiana | $0.36 |
| Ohio | $0.37 |
| Kansas | $0.37 |
| Iowa | $0.37 |
| Kentucky | $0.38 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.38 |
| Alaska | $0.38 |
| West Virginia | $0.39 |
| Maryland | $0.40 |
| Wisconsin | $0.40 |
| Delaware | $0.40 |
| Oregon | $0.40 |
| Illinois | $0.40 |
| Michigan | $0.40 |
| North Dakota | $0.40 |
| New Hampshire | $0.41 |
| Washington | $0.41 |
| Oklahoma | $0.41 |
| Arkansas | $0.41 |
| Virginia | $0.41 |
| South Dakota | $0.42 |
| Massachusetts | $0.42 |
| Mississippi | $0.42 |
| New Jersey | $0.42 |
| Idaho | $0.42 |
| Minnesota | $0.43 |
| Rhode Island | $0.43 |
| New York | $0.45 |
| Texas | $0.45 |
| Montana | $0.46 |
| Connecticut | $0.46 |
| Louisiana | $0.47 |
| North Carolina | $0.47 |
| Tennessee | $0.47 |
| New Mexico | $0.47 |
| Utah | $0.47 |
| Vermont | $0.48 |
| South Carolina | $0.48 |
| Colorado | $0.48 |
| Maine | $0.49 |
| Wyoming | $0.49 |
| Georgia | $0.50 |
| Arizona | $0.50 |
| California | $0.50 |
| Nevada | $0.51 |
| Alabama | $0.51 |
| Florida | $0.53 |
| Hawaii | $0.81 |
Data taken from: FRED – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU00007081111
Looking at individual egg costs shows wide regional variation even beyond state-level carton prices. Consumers questioning how much a carton of eggs can see that the price per egg ranges from $0.35 in affordable Midwestern states to $0.81 in Hawaii. This breakdown highlights that unit pricing offers a clearer picture of affordability, helping households compare costs more accurately across the U.S.
Conclusions
- In 2025, the average price of a dozen eggs reached $4.71, up from just $0.84 in 1980. What was once a cheap grocery staple has become a sensitive barometer of food inflation.
- The 2022-2023 surge, when egg prices soared more than 150% year-over-year, marked the steepest increase in decades. Families and restaurants alike faced sudden budget pressures as eggs shifted from routine purchase to headline story.
- By mid-2023, prices temporarily fell below $2.10 per dozen, offering brief relief before rebounding sharply to record highs in 2024-2025. This volatility shows how fragile supply and demand dynamics have become in the food sector.
- Looking across regions, the gap is striking: Hawaii households pay nearly $10 per dozen, while Missouri averages just over $4. These disparities highlight how geography shapes affordability beyond national averages.
- Wholesale prices proved even more unstable than retail, peaking above $8 per dozen in 2025. This divergence demonstrates how commodity markets filter into consumer costs, often amplifying inflationary shocks.
- Eggs today are more than a kitchen essential; they are an economic signal. Their price trajectory mirrors broader inflation cycles, reminding us that everyday staples often reveal the deeper stresses shaping household budgets.
Sources
- “Average Price: Eggs, Grade A, Large (Cost per Dozen) in U.S. City Average.” FRED Homepage, 11 Sept. 2025, https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU0000708111. Accessed 22 September 2025.
- “Livestock and Meat Domestic Data | Economic Research Service.” Economic Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, 27 Aug. 2025, http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/livestock-and-meat-domestic-data. Accessed 22 September 2025.
- “Egg Prices by State 2025.” World Population Review, https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/egg-prices-by-state. Accessed 21 Sept. 2025. Accessed 18 September 2025.
