Ice Cream
Average Ice Cream Price per Half Gallon
U.S. city average · July 2026
Ice cream averaged $5.84 per half gallon in July 2026, down 2.0% from last month and down 8.4% 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 APU0000710411.
Recent ice cream price history
| Month | Price | Vs. prior month | Vs. year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $5.84 | ▼ 2.0% | ▼ 8.4% |
| June 2026 | $5.95 | ▼ 1.5% | ▼ 8.3% |
| May 2026 | $6.05 | ▼ 3.1% | ▼ 6.5% |
| April 2026 | $6.24 | ▲ 0.8% | ▲ 0.2% |
| March 2026 | $6.19 | ▼ 1.2% | ▼ 2.2% |
| February 2026 | $6.26 | ▲ 0.4% | ▲ 0.1% |
| January 2026 | $6.24 | ▼ 2.6% | ▼ 3.5% |
| December 2025 | $6.40 | ▲ 4.3% | ▲ 2.1% |
| November 2025 | $6.14 | — | ▼ 4.8% |
| September 2025 | $6.40 | ▼ 1.7% | ▲ 0.9% |
| August 2025 | $6.51 | ▲ 2.1% | ▲ 2.3% |
| July 2025 | $6.37 | ▼ 1.8% | ▲ 5.7% |
| June 2025 | $6.49 | ▲ 0.4% | ▲ 5.8% |
| May 2025 | $6.47 | ▲ 3.8% | ▲ 7.8% |
| April 2025 | $6.23 | ▼ 1.6% | ▲ 0.5% |
| March 2025 | $6.33 | ▲ 1.2% | ▲ 10.4% |
| February 2025 | $6.26 | ▼ 3.2% | ▲ 6.3% |
| January 2025 | $6.46 | ▲ 3.0% | ▲ 9.4% |
Ice Cream prices fell 2.0% from June to July 2026 and are 8.4% lower than a year ago. Prices remain below the August 2025 peak of $6.50 but well above the 1980 level of $1.76.
From ice cream to the full grocery basket
Ice cream is a reference price series and is not weighted into the 24-item Basket Index.
Methodology and source
BLS describes series APU0000710411 as “Ice cream, prepackaged, bulk, regular, per 1/2 gallon.” BLS publishes this prepackaged regular ice cream series per half gallon (1.9 liters). 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 APU0000710411.
Ice Cream price FAQ
What is the average price of a half gallon of ice cream?
Prepackaged regular ice cream averaged $5.84 per half gallon in July 2026 at the U.S. city average.
How much has ice cream increased in price?
The July 2026 half-gallon price was down 2.0% from the prior month and down 8.4% from one year earlier.
Does BLS track premium and store-brand ice cream separately?
BLS series APU0000710411 is labeled “Ice cream, prepackaged, bulk, regular.” The published series used here does not split the result into premium and store-brand prices.
Are ice cream prices seasonal?
The BLS history contains monthly observations that can show recurring changes, but the series does not attribute a monthly move to seasonality. The latest reading is down 2.0% from the prior month.
How often is the ice cream price updated?
BLS publishes the U.S. city-average series monthly. This page currently uses the July 2026 observation and retains the last valid published value if a release is delayed.
How much did ice cream cost in 2001?
In 2001, ice cream averaged $3.67 per half gallon at the U.S. city average — versus $5.84 today (July 2026), about 59% higher now.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Average ice cream price (U.S. city average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved August 13, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/ice-cream/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710411. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/ice-cream/">Average ice cream price (U.S. city average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000710411; retrieved August 13, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Average ice cream price (U.S. city average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/ice-cream/