Fact Brief: Did Bay Area grocery prices go up in 2025?

Yes.

Grocery prices rose higher than any other major household expense for Bay Area residents in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco Bay Area reported a 4.3% increase in prices for grocery store purchases between August 2024 and August 2025. Transportation costs had the second highest jump at 4.0%, followed by medical care, education and communication costs, which rose by 3.4%.

Bay Area residents also self-reported high grocery costs in an August 2025 survey conducted by think tank Joint Venture Silicon Valley. In response to the question, “Which of the following do you think have increased the most in cost for you over the past year?” groceries and food were the top response at 64%.

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Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, San Francisco Area — August 2025
• Joint Venture Silicon Valley Bay Area residents are feeling the squeeze of higher grocery prices