7 Things Getting Cheaper as Americans Battle Higher Prices
Inflation has been relentless. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that overall prices have increased a whopping 3.4% since last year. Grocery costs in particular have skyrocketed. Last year, families were paying an average of $310 more than they did in 2024, according to the Joint Economic Committee.
With numbers like those, it's easy to see why the average American feels financially squeezed. But here's the thing: Not everything is getting more expensive. In fact, a surprisingly diverse range of items have actually gotten cheaper.
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We dug into the data and found seven surprising categories where prices have fallen.
1. Eggs
Out of all the categories of the CPI, eggs have had the biggest drop in price over the past 12 months, declining a whopping 25.7% since July 2025. Avian flu outbreaks in February 2025 sent prices to record highs. According to CNBC, now that the sector is recovering, there's oversupply and sharp price decreases to match. This one's worth celebrating, but don't expect every category to follow suit.
2. Smartphones
Over the last year, smartphones are down roughly 11%. Because the tech industry moves so fast, older models become bargains as soon as the newer ones get released. If you're not interested in keeping up with the latest technology, you're sure to find a smartphone at a reasonable price.
3. Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs have also gone down in price, and we can point to two specific reasons why. According to PBS, both increased competition among manufacturers and a Biden-era law allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies are directly responsible for the lower costs.
4. Bacon
Pork prices have dropped as consumers cut back on expensive meat. Grocery Dive suggested market burnout could be the culprit. Americans are so exhausted by high grocery bills they're simply buying less bacon and beef, which is tanking demand and prices along with it.
5. Major Appliances
Major appliances are down 4.1% since July 2025. Aside from supply chain stabilization and competition-led price chopping, there’s also a big surplus on these types of goods. As Fluid Services reported, many companies overbought stock to avoid possible tariff impacts and now have to clear their inventories, which means lower prices for consumers.
6. Used Cars
According to CPI data, used car prices have gone down 1.9% over the past year, but more recent trends could contradict that. Kelley Blue Book reported that prices actually increased throughout the second quarter of 2026, with average listings hovering around $27,027 — mirroring stubbornly high new car prices averaging $49,758. If you're hunting for a deal, you'll need patience and a deep search.
7. Televisions
Like smartphones, TVs are cheap to manufacture globally and improve constantly. Unless you're chasing top-tier models, you'll find quality sets at steep discounts everywhere. According to FinExus Research, TV prices have fallen 98.5% since 1996 when adjusted for quality, meaning a TV that cost $1,000 then costs roughly $15 today.
The Bottom Line
Price drops are real, but they're not evenly distributed. If you've been eyeing eggs, electronics or appliances, now's your moment. For everything else, the inflation grind continues. Target the wins where you can find them and keep hunting for deals on the rest.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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