CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you’re hosting a cookout for July Fourth, be prepared to pay more for just about everything. From hot dogs to beer, pretty much every holiday staple has gone up in price compared to last year.
There are a couple of Fourth of July favorites that are slightly cheaper in 2023, but the savings are few and far between, sadly. Here's a rundown of just how much more you should expect to pay if you're hosting the cookout, according to the latest data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Meats
Chicken: 0.9% increase
Steak: 2.5% increase
Ribs: 7.3% decrease
Hot dogs: 1.1% increase
Ground beef: 0.6% decrease
RELATED: 5 VERIFIED cookout food safety tips
Burger basics
Cheese: 3.6% increase
Buns: 11.6% increase
Pickles/relish: 13% increase
Tomatoes: 3.5% decrease
Lettuce: 9.4% increase
Condiments: 15.7% increase
Other cookout items
Corn: 2% increase
Butter: 3.1% increase
Potato salad: 4.2% increase
Snacks: 7.9% increase
Cookies: 10.9% increase
Cakes: 11.1% increase
Beverages
Soda: 9.5% increase
Beer: 6.1% increase
Contact Carolyn Bruck at cbruck@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte's Where's The Money series is all about leveling the playing in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn't want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.