When is pasta cheapest?

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

Barely moves

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

The cheapest month (October) runs only 1.1% below trend and the dearest (July) 1.4% above: on $1.38 a pound that’s about 4¢. A sale at your store moves the price far more than the month does.

Pasta: 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 0.4% below trend (half of years between −2.6% and +1.5%; 20 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.6% above trend (half of years between −1.4% and +1.6%; 20 years)MarMarch: typically 0.9% above trend (half of years between −0.8% and +3%; 20 years)AprApril: typically 0.4% below trend (half of years between −2% and +1.7%; 19 years)MayMay: typically 0.7% above trend (half of years between −0.9% and +1.7%; 19 years)JunJune: typically 0.8% above trend (half of years between −0.8% and +1.3%; 19 years)Jul+1.4%July: typically 1.4% above trend (half of years between −0.1% and +2.2%; 19 years)AugAugust: typically 0.9% above trend (half of years between −0.7% and +2.8%; 19 years)SepSeptember: typically 0.3% below trend (half of years between −2% and +1%; 19 years)Oct−1.1%October: typically 1.1% below trend (half of years between −3% and −0.1%; 19 years)NovNovember: typically 0.2% below trend (half of years between −2.6% and +0.7%; 19 years)DecDecember: typically 0.9% below trend (half of years between −2.5% and +0.7%; 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−0.4%−2.6% to +1.5%20
February+0.6%−1.4% to +1.6%20
March+0.9%−0.8% to +3%20
April−0.4%−2% to +1.7%19
May+0.7%−0.9% to +1.7%19
June+0.8%−0.8% to +1.3%19
July+1.4%−0.1% to +2.2%19
August+0.9%−0.7% to +2.8%19
September−0.3%−2% to +1%19
October−1.1%−3% to −0.1%19
November−0.2%−2.6% to +0.7%19
December−0.9%−2.5% to +0.7%19

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of pasta (per pound) was $1.38 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical October price is about $1.38 and the typical July price about $1.42.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month pasta was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. October was the single cheapest month in 3 of 19 years; the rest of the time it moved around, which is what having no real season looks like.

20242024: cheapest in May20232023: cheapest in November20222022: cheapest in January20212021: cheapest in June20202020: cheapest in October20192019: cheapest in October20182018: cheapest in October20172017: cheapest in March20162016: cheapest in January20152015: cheapest in January20142014: cheapest in December20132013: cheapest in January20122012: cheapest in March20112011: cheapest in February20102010: cheapest in May20092009: cheapest in April20082008: cheapest in December20072007: cheapest in December20062006: cheapest in JanuaryJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024May
2023November
2022January
2021June
2020October
2019October
2018October
2017March
2016January
2015January
2014December
2013January
2012March
2011February
2010May
2009April
2008December
2007December
2006January

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in October: what’s cheap in October. Pantry: flour (Nov), sugar (Dec), coffee (Dec), rice (Feb), bread (Jan), potato chips (Feb), cookies (Mar). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is pasta cheapest?

October. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of pasta in October was typically 1.1% below that year's trend, and below it in 15 of 19 years. July is the dearest month (1.4% above).

What is the most expensive month for pasta?

July, typically 1.4% above the year's trend price.

How much is pasta right now?

The U.S. average was $1.38 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