Potato chips
Potato chips · per 16 ozTX$6.95
vsCA$5.51
Your numbers
Is it cheaper there?
Pick two states. Electricity and gasoline always compare. Groceries compare only the staples BLS split by region this month.Compared staples · July 2026
Texas vs California
Some example products have a regional price this month (South vs West). Not a store shelf.CA is $1.44 lower · U.S. $6.56
Chuck roast
Chuck roast, USDA Choice, boneless · per poundTX$9.39
vsCA$10.71
Ground beef
Ground beef, 100% beef · per poundTX$6.45
vsCA$7.36
Bacon
Bacon, sliced · per poundTX$6.18
vsCA$6.78
Chicken breast
Chicken breast, boneless · per poundTX$4.11
vsCA$4.65
Ham
Ham, boneless · per poundTX$5.58
vsCA$5.39
Whole chicken
Chicken, fresh, whole · per poundTX$1.90
vsCA$2.01
Bananas
Bananas · per poundTX$0.62
vsCA$0.70
Pork chops
Chops, boneless · per poundTX$4.67
vsCA$4.65
Some example products are U.S. city averages with no state split this month
BLS published a national price, not four census regions. These do not change when you swap states.
- MilkMilk, fresh, whole · per gallon$4.31
- White breadBread, white, pan · per pound$1.82
- EggsEggs, grade A, large · per dozen$2.19
- PotatoesPotatoes, white · per pound$0.94
- FlourFlour, white, all purpose · per pound$0.54
- TomatoesTomatoes, field grown · per pound$2.00
- LemonsLemons · per pound$2.13
- Iceberg lettuceLettuce, iceberg · per pound$1.75
- RiceRice, white, long grain, uncooked · per pound$1.10
- PastaSpaghetti and macaroni · per pound$1.38
- CheddarCheddar cheese, natural · per pound$5.74
- ButterButter, stick · per pound$3.92
- YogurtYogurt · per 8 oz$1.55
- CoffeeCoffee, 100%, ground roast · per pound$9.32
- SugarSugar, white · per pound$1.02
- Orange juiceOrange juice, frozen concentrate · per 16 oz$4.82
Texas is cheaper than California
$2.00 less in TexasGroceries · South census region ranks 2 of 4 census regions. One published figure covers 17 states, including Texas.| Rank | Place | Estimate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | Midwest census region | $45.97 | 12 states |
| 13* | South census region · you | $46.46 | 17 states |
| 30* | Northeast census region | $48.15 | 9 states |
| 39* | West census region · compare | $48.46 | 13 states |
Electricity June 2026 · Gasoline Aug 31, 2026 · Groceries July 2026. Not Walmart, Kroger, Costco, or a pump quote.
How we got this
- Texas estimateSouth census region$46.46
- California estimateWest census region$48.46
- Texas is lower byCompare estimate minus home estimate$2.00
- U.S. city-average sample basketBenchmark from the same snapshot$47.18
What we assumed
- These are official averages, not a quote from a utility, gas station, or grocery chain.
- Walmart, Target, Aldi, Costco, Kroger, and other shelf prices are not in a public dataset we can publish.
- Weekly circulars, membership deals, coupons, and manufacturer promotions are not in here.
- Grocery comparison uses BLS average retail prices. Region prices show only when BLS published all four regions that month.
- The sample is a few staples, not a household grocery bill.
Technical details
Method where-cheaper-v1.0.0Data bls-apu-grocery-2026-07-v2
Guide
Government averages, not store ads
Compare two states on EIA electricity, EIA gasoline geographies, or BLS grocery staples that split by region. These are published averages. They are not the price at your grocery or your utility.
Some grocery items have no state split
BLS publishes some staples only as U.S. city averages. The page says so instead of inventing a Texas versus California gap. Electricity and gasoline have stronger geographic coverage in the snapshots.
Questions about this calculator
Which state has cheaper gas?
Pick gasoline and two states. The snapshot may use a state series or a PADD region. California often sits well above the U.S. average; that is the data, not a ranking of places to live.
Terms used here
- BLS APU
- Average Price series for selected urban prices. Coverage is item-specific.
Practical tips
- For a household budget, use cost of living; this page is three official price families only.
Limits and caveats
- Averages for a geography and period. Not a shopping list and not a COL index.
Results are for information. They are not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. How the math is maintained · Report a wrong figure.
Engine notes
Rounding, versioning, and omissions that sit beside the guide rather than repeating it.
- Pick a basket. Electricity, gasoline, a grocery sample, or home and car energy together. Both states use the same basket.
- Groceries only where BLS split the country. The shelf leads with staples that have a regional price this month, so two states can actually differ. National-only prices sit in a separate list; they are not a failed state comparison.
- This week’s deals are out. Averages blend regular and advertised prices. They are not a Walmart, Kroger, or Costco circular.