When is iceberg lettuce cheapest?

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

Worth timing

Buy iceberg lettuce in August if you can.

Over 2006–2025, iceberg lettuce in August ran a typical 6% below the year’s trend price, and August was below it in 12 of 14 years. November is the dearest month (6% above): a 12-point swing.

Most U.S. lettuce is grown in California’s Salinas Valley in summer and in the Arizona and California desert in winter. Prices often jump around the November hand-over.

Iceberg lettuce: 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.

−10%−8%−6%−4%−2%trend+2%+4%+6%+8%+10%JanJanuary: typically 4% above trend (half of years between −0.9% and +6%; 15 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.8% above trend (half of years between −5% and +2.6%; 15 years)MarMarch: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −5% and +4%; 15 years)AprApril: typically 0.3% above trend (half of years between −7% and +7%; 13 years)MayMay: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −5% and +3%; 14 years)JunJune: typically 2.6% below trend (half of years between −6% and −0.1%; 14 years)JulJuly: typically 5% below trend (half of years between −8% and −0.6%; 14 years)Aug−6%August: typically 6% below trend (half of years between −7% and −2.7%; 14 years)SepSeptember: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −10% and +0.1%; 13 years)OctOctober: typically 2.3% below trend (half of years between −8% and +2.8%; 13 years)Nov+6%November: typically 6% above trend (half of years between +0.5% and +8%; 14 years)DecDecember: typically 2.8% above trend (half of years between −1.4% and +10%; 14 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+4%−0.9% to +6%15
February+0.8%−5% to +2.6%15
March−4%−5% to +4%15
April+0.3%−7% to +7%13
May−4%−5% to +3%14
June−2.6%−6% to −0.1%14
July−5%−8% to −0.6%14
August−6%−7% to −2.7%14
September−4%−10% to +0.1%13
October−2.3%−8% to +2.8%13
November+6%+0.5% to +8%14
December+2.8%−1.4% to +10%14

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of iceberg lettuce (per pound) was $1.96 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical August price is about $1.90 and the typical November price about $2.13.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month iceberg lettuce was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. August was the single cheapest month in 1 of 12 years; the rest of the time it moved around.

20242024: cheapest in January20182018: cheapest in September20172017: cheapest in August20162016: cheapest in April20152015: cheapest in April20122012: cheapest in April20112011: cheapest in July20102010: cheapest in September20092009: cheapest in September20082008: cheapest in June20072007: cheapest in July20062006: cheapest in JulyJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024January
2018September
2017August
2016April
2015April
2012April
2011July
2010September
2009September
2008June
2007July
2006July

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in August: what’s cheap in August. Vegetables: tomatoes (Aug), romaine (Jun), bell peppers (Sep), broccoli (May), potatoes (Dec). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is iceberg lettuce cheapest?

August. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of iceberg lettuce in August was typically 6% below that year's trend, and below it in 12 of 14 years. November is the dearest month (6% above).

What is the most expensive month for iceberg lettuce?

November, typically 6% above the year's trend price.

How much is iceberg lettuce right now?

The U.S. average was $1.96 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