Inflation Hits the Grill: The Price of a July 4th Cookout

As memories of Covid-19 restrictions are quickly fading, Americans are looking forward to proper, carefree Fourth of July celebrations this year. According to AAA, more than 70 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles this Independence Day week in order to celebrate with their friends and families – a new record.

Aside from the obligatory fireworks, a proper cookout is the key ingredient for a real Independence Day celebration in many households. Speaking of ingredients: how much will a typical Fourth of July menu set you back these days? Well, there’s the catch: inflation makes no exception for national holidays, so expect your feast to be more expensive than ever this year.

According to the American Farm Bureau’s annual Fourth of July market basket survey, a 10-person cookout involving cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops and several sides and dessert options will cost $71.22 this year. That’s up "just" 5 percent from last, but 30 percent from 2019.