Portland Grocery Prices Hold Steady in August, But Key Items See Big Swings

After a summer of steady increases, Portland-area shoppers saw a moment of calm in the grocery aisles last month. According to the August 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the West Region, the overall index for "food at home" was flat, showing a 0.0% change from July.

This local stability stands in sharp contrast to the national picture, where grocery prices jumped a significant 0.6%. It’s a crucial reminder that what’s happening in the rest of the country isn’t always what we’re experiencing here at home.

However, the flat overall number masks significant volatility under the surface. While some prices fell, others continued their upward climb, creating a mixed bag for shoppers. Over the last 12 months, food-at-home prices in the West are still up 2.9%.

The story of August inflation is best told by looking at the individual aisles. For the first time in months, shoppers saw meaningful price drops in key categories.

Here’s the breakdown of the monthly price changes for the West Region:

The drop in dairy prices is a welcome relief, while the continued rise in produce and meat costs remains a pressure point for household budgets.

The 1.1% monthly jump in the fruits and vegetables index confirms the trend I recently discussed with KGW. Extreme weather continues to hit the produce aisle hard, and this latest data shows that pressure didn't let up in August.

To help us all navigate this, I’ll be launching a new Savers Club feature next week that tracks the prices of 20 common produce items across Portland-area stores, including several common produce items.

While the West Region data combines eggs with meat and poultry, the national index for eggs was flat in August, suggesting some stability.

Fortunately, this is where my own hyper-local data provides a clearer picture. Since April, I’ve logged over 2,000 individual prices for my Portland Egg Price Tracker, a benefit for Savers Club members. My data shows the average price for a dozen eggs in Portland dropped from a high of $7.25 in April to $6.14 in August — that’s a 6% decrease from the July average alone.

Still, it's important to remember the bigger picture: egg prices are up a staggering 10.9% nationally compared to this time last year.

While the overall inflation number was flat, the volatility means you still need to be strategic.

As my 16-store price comparison (publishing Tuesday) will show, where you shop matters more than ever. With such wide swings between categories, having the right tools is the best way to navigate the aisles and ensure you're not paying a premium.

That's why I built the Savers Club. For just $50 for your first year, you get access to the Savers Compass, the Egg Price Tracker, and all other premium Stumptown Savings tools, resources, and content. 

This introductory price ends in October, when the price increases to $80 a year. Become a member today and start saving.

This article was written with AI assistance to help analyze data and identify trends.

Happy saving!
Bryan,
Founder/Publisher,
Stumptown Savings