Louisiana ranks as the 10th most expensive state for groceries, with residents spending an average of $283 per week in 2023, compared to the national average of $270. Other Southern states also faced high costs, such as Mississippi around $290, and Texas around $286. UNO Professor of Economics Walter Lane says despite a slowdown in inflation over the past year, many Louisiana residents still perceive rising prices due to costs remaining significantly above pre-2021 levels.
“So, people feel the higher prices, but they’re mistakenly calling it inflation, but inflation has pretty much gone away.”
Thanksgiving serves as a key indicator of grocery trends. This year, a 15-item Thanksgiving meal costs $65 on average, down three percent from 2023 but up 42% higher than in 2019. Land says Thanksgiving is getting cheaper year over year…
“Thanksgiving dinner this year has gone down about $3-4 from what it was two years ago. Its actually gone down in the last couple of years.”
As prices stabilize but remain elevated, many Louisiana shoppers continue to feel financial strain at the checkout line, but Lane says compared to eating out its much cheaper.
“For food at home, actually over the last year has only been 1%, which is the rest of inflation. Now restaurant food is like 4%, and that’s still pretty substantial.”
