New Yorkers will pay more for Thanksgiving dinner this year, with the cost of a traditional feast climbing 15% to $184.43, according to The Post’s survey of holiday staples at grocery stores across the five boroughs.
A year-over-year comparison of 18 products at six popular supermarket chains revealed widespread sticker shock. Turkey, the centerpiece of the holiday meal, rose 17% to $79.80 for a 20-pound Bell & Evans young bird at Morton Williams.
“The meat is outrageous,” said Carole Miller, 89, while shopping at Morton Williams on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. “There’s almost so much pork you can eat.”
Apple cider posted the largest increase in the survey, soaring 75% from $3.99 last year to $6.99.
The increase follows a spring freeze that badly damaged the apple harvest in upstate and western New York. Growers have suffered an estimated $30 million in losses so far in 2026, according to the governor’s office.
“The milk, the bread, the fruits, meats all went up,” said Angelo Hernandez, 66, while shopping at Whole Foods in Union Square.
“It’s hard, especially if you’re retired. If you’re working, you have an income every week. Now, if you’re retired, it’s once a month,” said the retired industrial mechanic, who added that he and his wife are depending on their son to provide the turkey.
“My son gets the turkey — he works so he buys it,” Hernandez said.
Nationwide, the average price of turkey has risen 30% to $1.76 per pound — nearly 88% higher than the 94-cent average recorded in 2024, according to the Farm Bureau.
New York has the most expensive Thanksgiving dinner in the country, with costs 20% above the national average and 9% higher than those in neighboring Northeastern states, the Farm Bureau reported.
Several other staples also became significantly more expensive. Whole milk jumped 50%, with a half-gallon of Farmland brand increasing from $5.99 to $8.99. Libby’s 100% pure pumpkin rose 43% to $4.29.
A 9-inch pumpkin pie at Whole Foods locations across the city increased 19%, rising from as little as $11.75 last year to $13.99 this year.
At least eight products held steady compared with last year.
Idahoan boxed mashed potatoes was the only item to decline in price, dropping 50 cents, or 10%, from last year.
Even with the steep increases, New Yorkers say they plan to keep Thanksgiving traditions — and their favorite holiday foods — on the table.
“I’m gonna buy it regardless of what the price is,” Miller said with a laugh.
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