Chicken Legs
Average Chicken Leg Price per Pound
U.S. city average · July 2026
Chicken legs averaged $1.72 per pound in July 2026, up 2.1% from last month and down 4.2% from last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data.
Chart shown: July 2021 – July 2026 · Full series: January 1980 – July 2026 (557 observations) · Source: BLS series APU0000706212.
Recent chicken legs price history
| Month | Price | Vs. prior month | Vs. year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $1.72 | ▲ 2.1% | ▼ 4.2% |
| June 2026 | $1.69 | ▼ 5.5% | ▼ 7.0% |
| May 2026 | $1.79 | ▲ 4.3% | ▲ 0.1% |
| April 2026 | $1.71 | ▼ 1.6% | ▼ 4.3% |
| March 2026 | $1.74 | ▲ 1.9% | ▼ 3.7% |
| February 2026 | $1.71 | ▼ 1.6% | ▼ 4.7% |
| January 2026 | $1.74 | ▲ 0.6% | ▼ 3.1% |
| December 2025 | $1.73 | ▼ 3.9% | ▼ 3.1% |
| November 2025 | $1.80 | — | ▲ 1.4% |
| September 2025 | $1.80 | ▼ 0.1% | ▼ 4.1% |
| August 2025 | $1.80 | ▼ 0.1% | ▼ 2.1% |
| July 2025 | $1.80 | ▼ 0.9% | ▲ 0.7% |
| June 2025 | $1.82 | ▲ 1.7% | ▲ 2.5% |
| May 2025 | $1.79 | ▼ 0.2% | ▼ 2.6% |
| April 2025 | $1.79 | ▼ 0.9% | ▼ 1.4% |
| March 2025 | $1.81 | ▲ 0.7% | ▼ 0.9% |
| February 2025 | $1.79 | ▲ 0.1% | ▲ 2.3% |
| January 2025 | $1.79 | ▲ 0.6% | ▼ 1.9% |
Chicken Leg prices rose 2.1% from June to July 2026 and are 4.2% lower than a year ago. Prices remain below the August 2023 peak of $2.03 but well above the 1980 level of $1.06.
From chicken legs to the full grocery basket
Chicken legs is a reference price series and is not weighted into the 24-item Basket Index.
Chicken Legs vs. Chicken breast
In July 2026, chicken legs averaged $1.72 per pound and chicken breast averaged $4.15 per pound. The difference was $2.43 per pound (58.5%).
Methodology and source
BLS describes series APU0000706212 as “Chicken legs, bone-in, per lb.” The published BLS price covers bone-in chicken legs and is reported per pound (453.6 grams). BLS reports the U.S. city average on a monthly publication schedule. The latest valid observation on this page is July 2026; data were retrieved 2026-08-13 via the BLS Public Data API.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Average Price Data, series APU0000706212.
Chicken Legs price FAQ
What is the average price of chicken legs per pound?
Bone-in chicken legs averaged $1.72 per pound in July 2026 at the U.S. city average.
Are chicken legs cheaper than chicken breasts?
In July 2026, bone-in chicken legs averaged $1.72 per pound and boneless chicken breast averaged $4.15 per pound. Legs were $2.43 per pound lower (58.5%).
Does the BLS price include bone-in chicken legs?
Yes. BLS series APU0000706212 is specifically labeled “Chicken legs, bone-in, per lb.”
Are chicken leg prices higher than last year?
The July 2026 chicken-leg price was down 4.2% versus one year earlier and up 2.1% versus the prior month.
How often is the chicken leg price updated?
BLS publishes this U.S. city-average series monthly. Basket Report shows the latest valid observation, currently July 2026, without estimating delayed values.
How much did chicken legs cost in 2001?
In 2001, chicken legs averaged $1.27 per pound at the U.S. city average — versus $1.72 today (July 2026), about 36% higher now.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average chicken legs price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved August 13, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-legs/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706212. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-legs/">Average chicken legs price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706212; retrieved August 13, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average chicken legs price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-legs/