GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — America's 250th birthday is tomorrow, and backyards across West Michigan will be busy firing up the grill to celebrate — but how much will that holiday spread cost this year?
According to the Farm Bureau, the average cookout for 10 people will cost $73.82, an increase of roughly 4% compared to last year.
That meal includes cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, strawberries, potato salad, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream.
Here is a breakdown of those costs:
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Package of buns | $2.53 |
| 1 lb. cheese | $3.60 |
| 2 lbs. ground beef | $14.06 |
| 2 lbs. chicken breasts | $8.06 |
| 3 lbs. pork chops | $14.79 |
| 16 oz. potato chips | $4.76 |
| 32 oz. can of pork and beans | $3.06 |
| 2 pints strawberries | $5.27 |
| 2.5 lbs. potato salad | $2.91 |
| 2.5 quarts lemonade | $4.54 |
| Package of cookies | $4.25 |
| ½ lb. ice cream | $5.99 |
| Total for 10 people | $73.82 |
What's costing more this year
According to the Farm Bureau, several items are seeing notable price increases compared to last year:
- Beef prices are about 5.5% higher
- Buns cost nearly 8% more on average
- Strawberries are up over 12% on average
- Barbecue beans cost nearly 14% more
There is some good news at the checkout line, though. Potato salad is nearly 18% cheaper this year compared to last year.
West Michigan prices beat the national average
West Michigan shoppers are seeing cookout prices come in below the national average. I compared prices across three local grocery stores on July 1st — Meijer, Walmart, and ALDI — and found significant differences depending on where you shop.
| Store | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| ALDI (Knapp St.) | $55.40 |
| Walmart (Comstock Park) | $65.68 |
| Meijer (Knapp's Corner) | $67.96 |
Meijer was the most expensive option at $67.96, while ALDI came in the cheapest at $55.40.
ALDI (Knapp St.) price breakdown
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Package of buns | $1.29 |
| 1 lb. cheese | $3.49 |
| 2 lbs. ground beef | $8.98 |
| 2 lbs. chicken breasts | $7.98 |
| 3 lbs. pork chops | $9.87 |
| 16 oz. potato chips | $1.95 |
| 32 oz. pork and beans (two 15–16 oz. cans) | $1.78 |
| 2 pints strawberries | $4.98 |
| 2.5 lbs. potato salad | $6.99 |
| 2.5 quarts lemonade (80 oz.) | $1.89 |
| Package of cookies | $2.75 |
| ½ gallon ice cream (64 oz.) | $3.45 |
| Total | $55.40 |
Walmart (Comstock Park) price breakdown
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Package of buns | $1.97 |
| 1 lb. cheese (Great Value cheddar block) | $4.24 |
| 2 lbs. ground beef (80/20) | $9.94 |
| 2 lbs. chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) | $8.32 |
| 3 lbs. pork chops | $11.94 |
| 16 oz. potato chips (Great Value) | $2.24 |
| 32 oz. pork and beans (two 15–16 oz. cans) | $2.16 |
| 2 pints strawberries | $5.94 |
| 2.5 lbs. potato salad (deli) | $8.70 |
| 2.5 quarts lemonade (80 oz.) | $2.78 |
| Package of cookies | $3.48 |
| ½ gallon ice cream (64 oz.) | $3.97 |
| Total | $65.68 |
Meijer (Knapp's Corner) price breakdown
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Package of buns | $1.39 |
| 1 lb. cheese | $4.49 |
| 2 lbs. ground beef | $10.98 |
| 2 lbs. chicken breasts | $8.98 |
| 3 lbs. pork chops | $11.97 |
| 16 oz. potato chips | $3.29 |
| 32 oz. pork and beans (two 15–16 oz. cans) | $2.38 |
| 2 pints strawberries | $5.98 |
| 2.5 lbs. potato salad | $8.73 |
| 2.5 quarts lemonade (80 oz.) | $1.99 |
| Package of cookies | $3.49 |
| ½ gallon ice cream (64 oz.) | $4.29 |
| Total | $67.96 |
GasBuddy also expects this to be the second most expensive Fourth of July at the pump on record, so factor in the cost of getting to the store when planning your holiday budget.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
