When is whole chicken cheapest?

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

Barely moves

Whole chicken barely has a season: buy it when you need it.

The cheapest month (October) runs only 0.8% below trend and the dearest (May) 1.2% above: on $2.03 a pound that’s about 4¢. A sale at your store moves the price far more than the month does.

Whole chicken: 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 0.5% above trend (half of years between −1.4% and +1%; 19 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.5% below trend (half of years between −1.1% and +0.7%; 19 years)MarMarch: typically 0.3% above trend (half of years between −1% and +0.6%; 19 years)AprApril: typically 0.2% below trend (half of years between −1.3% and +1.2%; 18 years)May+1.2%May: typically 1.2% above trend (half of years between −1.3% and +1.6%; 18 years)JunJune: typically 0.8% above trend (half of years between −1.8% and +1.7%; 18 years)JulJuly: typically 0.2% below trend (half of years between −1.3% and +1.4%; 18 years)AugAugust: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −0.7% and +1.2%; 18 years)SepSeptember: typically 0% above trend (half of years between −1.5% and +1%; 18 years)Oct−0.8%October: typically 0.8% below trend (half of years between −1.8% and +1.7%; 18 years)NovNovember: typically 0.7% above trend (half of years between −0.4% and +1.4%; 17 years)DecDecember: typically 0.2% above trend (half of years between −0.6% and +0.7%; 18 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+0.5%−1.4% to +1%19
February−0.5%−1.1% to +0.7%19
March+0.3%−1% to +0.6%19
April−0.2%−1.3% to +1.2%18
May+1.2%−1.3% to +1.6%18
June+0.8%−1.8% to +1.7%18
July−0.2%−1.3% to +1.4%18
August+0.1%−0.7% to +1.2%18
September+0%−1.5% to +1%18
October−0.8%−1.8% to +1.7%18
November+0.7%−0.4% to +1.4%17
December+0.2%−0.6% to +0.7%18

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of whole chicken (per pound) was $2.03 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical October price is about $2.03 and the typical May price about $2.07.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month whole chicken was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. October was the single cheapest month in 3 of 17 years; the rest of the time it moved around, which is what having no real season looks like.

20242024: cheapest in September20232023: cheapest in September20222022: cheapest in February20212021: cheapest in July20182018: cheapest in October20172017: cheapest in January20162016: cheapest in June20152015: cheapest in September20142014: cheapest in July20132013: cheapest in February20122012: cheapest in May20112011: cheapest in January20102010: cheapest in April20092009: cheapest in October20082008: cheapest in October20072007: cheapest in February20062006: cheapest in MayJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024September
2023September
2022February
2021July
2018October
2017January
2016June
2015September
2014July
2013February
2012May
2011January
2010April
2009October
2008October
2007February
2006May

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), beef roast (Oct), chuck roast (Jan), ground beef (Feb), chicken breast (Jan), chicken legs (Jan). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is whole chicken cheapest?

October. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of whole chicken in October was typically 0.8% below that year's trend, and below it in 11 of 18 years. May is the dearest month (1.2% above).

What is the most expensive month for whole chicken?

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

How much is whole chicken right now?

The U.S. average was $2.03 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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