Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Show Historical Shifts in Affordability and Consumer Spending Power
The cost of Thanksgiving dinner has undergone significant changes over the decades, reflecting broader economic trends and inflation. While a comprehensive national survey of Thanksgiving dinner costs didn't begin until 1986 with the American Farm Bureau Federation, historical data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide insights into past prices. For instance, in November 1975, a 16-pound turkey averaged 77.4 cents per pound, totaling about $12.38. Adjusted for inflation, this would be approximately $72.58 in November 2025 dollars. In contrast, the Farm Bureau's 2025 survey found a 16-pound frozen turkey averaged $21.50, or $1.34 per pound. Milk prices also show a shift; a gallon of whole milk in 1975 cost about $1.57, which would be around $9.46 in 2025 dollars, compared to the Farm Bureau's 2025 finding of $3.73. Overall, groceries have become relatively cheaper over 50 years, with the Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home rising about five t...
