When is beef roast cheapest?

The best time to buy beef roast, from 20 years of U.S. government shelf prices.

Barely moves

Beef roast barely has a season: buy it when you need it.

The cheapest month (October) runs only 1.3% below trend and the dearest (July) 1.2% above: on $9.02 a pound that’s about 23¢. A sale at your store moves the price far more than the month does.

Beef roast: price by month

Typical price each month compared with that year’s trend, 2006–2025. The bar is the median year; the thin line spans the middle half of years.

−4%−3%−2%−1%trend+1%+2%+3%+4%JanJanuary: typically 1.2% below trend (half of years between −3% and −0.7%; 20 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.5% below trend (half of years between −1.4% and +0.9%; 20 years)MarMarch: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −0.8% and +0.8%; 20 years)AprApril: typically 0.3% above trend (half of years between −1.3% and +0.8%; 19 years)MayMay: typically 0.9% above trend (half of years between +0.1% and +1.2%; 19 years)JunJune: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −0.8% and +2.8%; 19 years)Jul+1.2%July: typically 1.2% above trend (half of years between −0.5% and +1.7%; 19 years)AugAugust: typically 0.3% above trend (half of years between −0.8% and +1.5%; 19 years)SepSeptember: typically 0.2% below trend (half of years between −0.9% and +0.8%; 19 years)Oct−1.3%October: typically 1.3% below trend (half of years between −2.5% and +0.6%; 19 years)NovNovember: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −1.7% and +1.2%; 19 years)DecDecember: typically 1.1% below trend (half of years between −2.8% and +0.1%; 19 years)
cheaper than the year’s trend dearer middle half of years
See the numbers as a table
MonthTypical vs trendMiddle half of yearsYears
January−1.2%−3% to −0.7%20
February−0.5%−1.4% to +0.9%20
March+0.1%−0.8% to +0.8%20
April+0.3%−1.3% to +0.8%19
May+0.9%+0.1% to +1.2%19
June+0.1%−0.8% to +2.8%19
July+1.2%−0.5% to +1.7%19
August+0.3%−0.8% to +1.5%19
September−0.2%−0.9% to +0.8%19
October−1.3%−2.5% to +0.6%19
November+0.1%−1.7% to +1.2%19
December−1.1%−2.8% to +0.1%19

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of beef roast (per pound) was $9.02 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical October price is about $9.02 and the typical July price about $9.25.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month beef roast was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. October was the single cheapest month in 4 of 19 years; the rest of the time it moved around, which is what having no real season looks like.

20242024: cheapest in October20232023: cheapest in April20222022: cheapest in November20212021: cheapest in January20202020: cheapest in March20192019: cheapest in October20182018: cheapest in November20172017: cheapest in January20162016: cheapest in January20152015: cheapest in December20142014: cheapest in January20132013: cheapest in December20122012: cheapest in September20112011: cheapest in October20102010: cheapest in December20092009: cheapest in July20082008: cheapest in April20072007: cheapest in October20062006: cheapest in DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024October
2023April
2022November
2021January
2020March
2019October
2018November
2017January
2016January
2015December
2014January
2013December
2012September
2011October
2010December
2009July
2008April
2007October
2006December

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in October: what’s cheap in October. Meat: turkey (Dec), ham (Apr), bacon (Feb), pork chops (Jan), sirloin steak (Feb), steak (Dec), chuck roast (Jan), ground beef (Feb), chicken breast (Jan), whole chicken (Oct), chicken legs (Jan). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is beef roast cheapest?

October. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of beef roast in October was typically 1.3% below that year's trend, and below it in 12 of 19 years. July is the dearest month (1.2% above).

What is the most expensive month for beef roast?

July, typically 1.2% above the year's trend price.

How much is beef roast right now?

The U.S. average was $9.02 a pound in October 2026 (BLS Average Price Data).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data (U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), the shelf prices BLS collects every month for the Consumer Price Index, through October 2026. Seasonal pattern and every number on this page computed by Online List Maker; how.

Grocery price calendar Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Shared grocery list Grocery list template Grocery shopping calculator Turkey calculator
Online List Maker Privacy