When is cheddar cheapest?

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

Barely moves

Cheddar barely has a season: buy it when you need it.

The cheapest month (June) runs only 1.2% below trend and the dearest (October) 1.1% above: on $6.13 a pound that’s about 14¢. A sale at your store moves the price far more than the month does.

Cheddar cheese: 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 0.7% above trend (half of years between −0.7% and +2.3%; 20 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −0.9% and +1%; 20 years)MarMarch: typically 0.1% below trend (half of years between −1.4% and +0.7%; 20 years)AprApril: typically 0.2% below trend (half of years between −0.9% and +0.7%; 19 years)MayMay: typically 0.5% below trend (half of years between −1.6% and +0.8%; 19 years)Jun−1.2%June: typically 1.2% below trend (half of years between −2.4% and +0.6%; 19 years)JulJuly: typically 0.6% below trend (half of years between −1.4% and +0.9%; 19 years)AugAugust: typically 0.7% above trend (half of years between −1% and +1.8%; 19 years)SepSeptember: typically 0.6% above trend (half of years between −0.5% and +1.6%; 19 years)Oct+1.1%October: typically 1.1% above trend (half of years between −0.7% and +2.1%; 19 years)NovNovember: typically 0.2% above trend (half of years between −1.4% and +0.8%; 19 years)DecDecember: typically 1.1% below trend (half of years between −1.9% and −0.4%; 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+0.7%−0.7% to +2.3%20
February+0.1%−0.9% to +1%20
March−0.1%−1.4% to +0.7%20
April−0.2%−0.9% to +0.7%19
May−0.5%−1.6% to +0.8%19
June−1.2%−2.4% to +0.6%19
July−0.6%−1.4% to +0.9%19
August+0.7%−1% to +1.8%19
September+0.6%−0.5% to +1.6%19
October+1.1%−0.7% to +2.1%19
November+0.2%−1.4% to +0.8%19
December−1.1%−1.9% to −0.4%19

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of cheddar (per pound) was $6.13 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical June price is about $5.99 and the typical October price about $6.13.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month cheddar was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. June was the single cheapest month in 2 of 19 years; the rest of the time it moved around, which is what having no real season looks like.

20242024: cheapest in April20232023: cheapest in December20222022: cheapest in January20212021: cheapest in December20202020: cheapest in January20192019: cheapest in March20182018: cheapest in July20172017: cheapest in May20162016: cheapest in November20152015: cheapest in June20142014: cheapest in January20132013: cheapest in July20122012: cheapest in July20112011: cheapest in December20102010: cheapest in October20092009: cheapest in November20082008: cheapest in May20072007: cheapest in June20062006: cheapest in NovemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024April
2023December
2022January
2021December
2020January
2019March
2018July
2017May
2016November
2015June
2014January
2013July
2012July
2011December
2010October
2009November
2008May
2007June
2006November

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in June: what’s cheap in June. Dairy & eggs: eggs (Jun), butter (Nov), milk (May), ice cream (Jul). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is cheddar cheapest?

June. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of cheddar in June was typically 1.2% below that year's trend, and below it in 12 of 19 years. October is the dearest month (1.1% above).

What is the most expensive month for cheddar?

October, typically 1.1% above the year's trend price.

How much is cheddar right now?

The U.S. average was $6.13 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.

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