Thanksgiving dinner will be here before you know it. And, if you’re hosting this year, you might want to start getting your budget in order sooner rather than later.
While data for Thanksgiving meal prices won’t be available until closer to the end of the month, there are a few things we can do to prepare an estimate, like revisiting last year’s Thanksgiving dinner trends.
Here’s where to start.
How Much Does It Cost to Host Thanksgiving?
Last year, the Farm Bureau reported that the average price for a ten-person Thanksgiving dinner was $55.18.
The pricing followed a trending decline from 2022’s record high of $64.05.
This is a great starting point for calculating your Thanksgiving budget this year.
How Much Does a Thanksgiving Turkey Cost?
A 16-pound Thanksgiving turkey cost about $21.50 last year on average.
As of Nov. 4, here are some going rates for turkey pricing:
- Walmart – Butterball frozen whole turkey; Avg. $0.97 per pound
- Walmart – Shady Brook Farms frozen whole turkey; Avg. $0.84 per pound
- ACME – Signature Select whole turkey frozen; $1.99 per pound
- Safeway – Jenni-O whole frozen turkey; $1.99 per pound
Keep in mind, turkey pricing may vary depending on location, demand and time of season.
Many retailers offer bundles and other discounts on Thanksgiving staples heading into the holidays.
To maximize your Thanksgiving savings, know your headcount for dinner, check your grocery store’s flyers and promotions and consider buying things like canned goods or shelf-stable items in advance instead of all at once.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things cost of living related for USA TODAY.
Reporting by Kaitlyn McCormick, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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