Cost of a Thanksgiving Meal the Year You Were Born
Approximately 285 million Americans sit every year on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate Thanksgiving. With 88% of the country sharing a similar meal on the same day, price fluctuations in any of the items typically consumed on Thanksgiving can significantly change the amount Americans spend on the harvest holiday.
To determine the cost of a Thanksgiving meal every year from 1947 to 2016, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed results from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey from 1986 to 2016. For years prior to 1986, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the cost of a Thanksgiving meal using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index for food at home in November.
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According to the AFBF, the typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 consists of a 16-pound turkey, 14 ounces of stuffing, 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, a dozen brown rolls served with butter, 16 ounces of peas, 12 ounces of cranberries, a relish tray that consists of half a pound of celery and half a pound of carrots, and two pumpkin pies made from 30 ounces of pie mix, two pie shells, half a pint of whipping cream, and a gallon of milk.
1947
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.59
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $0.99
> Football results: Chicago Bears (34), Detroit Lions (14)
1948
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.81
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.01
> Football results: Chicago Cardinals (28), Detroit Lions (14)
1949
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.62
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.56
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $0.98
> Football results: Chicago Bears (28), Detroit Lions (7)
1950
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $5.91
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.70
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.03
> Football results: Detroit Lions (49), New York Yanks (14)
1951
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.48
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.96
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Detroit Lions (52), Green Bay Packers (35)
1952
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.52
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.97
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Detroit Lions (48), Green Bay Packers (24)
1953
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.31
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.10
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), Green Bay Packers (15)
1954
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.23
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.08
> Football results: Detroit Lions (28), Green Bay Packers (24)
1955
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.13
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.79
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.06
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (10)
1956
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.31
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.10
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (20)
1957
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.46
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.95
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.12
> Football results: Detroit Lions (18), Green Bay Packers (6)
1958
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.67
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.04
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.16
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (14)
1959
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.52
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $2.97
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.13
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (17)
1960
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.71
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.06
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (23), Green Bay Packers (10)
1961
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.01
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.15
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (17), Detroit Lions (9)
1962
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.76
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.08
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (26), Green Bay Packers (14)
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1963
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.82
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.11
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.18
> Football results: Detroit Lions (13), Green Bay Packers (13)
1964
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $6.92
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.16
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.20
> Football results: Chicago Bears (27), Detroit Lions (24)
1965
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.23
> Football results: Detroit Lions (24), Baltimore Colts (24)
1966
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.43
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.39
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.29
> Football results: San Francisco 49ers (41), Detroit Lions (14)
1967
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.37
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.28
> Football results: Los Angeles Rams (31), Detroit Lions (7)
1968
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $7.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.50
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.33
> Football results: Philadelphia Eagles (12), Detroit Lions (0)
1969
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.15
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.71
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.42
> Football results: Minnesota Vikings (27), Detroit Lions (0)
1970
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.36
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.81
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.45
> Football results: Detroit Lions (28), Oakland Raiders (14)
1971
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $8.63
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $3.93
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.50
> Football results: Detroit Lions (32), Kansas City Chiefs (21)
1972
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $9.13
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $4.16
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.59
> Football results: Detroit Lions (37), New York Jets (20)
1973
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $11.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $5.06
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $1.93
> Football results: Washington Redskins (20), Detroit Lions (0)
1974
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $12.44
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $5.67
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.16
> Football results: Denver Broncos (31), Detroit Lions (27)
1975
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $13.30
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.07
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.31
> Football results: Los Angeles Rams (20), Detroit Lions (0)
1976
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $13.22
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.03
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.30
> Football results: Detroit Lions (27), Buffalo Bills (14)
1977
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $14.27
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $6.51
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.48
> Football results: Chicago Bears (31), Detroit Lions (14)
1978
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $15.98
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $7.28
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $2.78
> Football results: Detroit Lions (17), Denver Broncos (14)
1979
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $17.45
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $7.96
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.03
> Football results: Detroit Lions (20), Chicago Bears (0)
1980
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $19.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $8.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.37
> Football results: Chicago Bears (23), Detroit Lions (17)
1981
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.14
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.48
> Football results: Detroit Lions (27), Kansas City Chiefs (10)
1982
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.59
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.39
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.58
> Football results: New York Giants (13), Detroit Lions (6)
1983
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $20.82
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.49
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.62
> Football results: Detroit Lions (45), Pittsburgh Steelers (3)
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1984
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $21.62
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $9.86
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.76
> Football results: Detroit Lions (31), Green Bay Packers (28)
1985
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $21.93
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.00
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.81
> Football results: Detroit Lions (31), New York Jets (20)
1986
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.74
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.24
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.92
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (44), Detroit Lions (40)
1987
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $24.51
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.88
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $3.21
> Football results: Kansas City Chiefs (27), Detroit Lions (20)
1988
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $26.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $11.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.05
> Football results: Minnesota Vikings (23), Detroit Lions (0)
1989
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $24.70
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.77
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.09
> Football results: Detroit Lions (13), Cleveland Browns (10)
1990
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.85
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.89
> Football results: Detroit Lions (40), Denver Broncos (27)
1991
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $25.95
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $10.67
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.69
> Football results: Detroit Lions (16), Chicago Bears (6)
1992
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $26.39
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $11.05
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $4.94
> Football results: Houston Oilers (24), Detroit Lions (21)
1993
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $27.49
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.55
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $5.16
> Football results: Chicago Bears (10), Detroit Lions (6)
1994
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $28.40
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.00
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $5.74
> Football results: Detroit Lions (35), Buffalo Bills (21)
1995
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $29.64
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.68
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.07
> Football results: Detroit Lions (44), Minnesota Vikings (38)
1996
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $31.66
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.46
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.05
> Football results: Kansas City Chiefs (28), Detroit Lions (24)
1997
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $31.75
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.47
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.04
> Football results: Detroit Lions (55), Chicago Bears (20)
1998
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $33.09
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $13.71
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.46
> Football results: Detroit Lions (19), Pittsburgh Steelers (16)
1999
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $33.83
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (21), Chicago Bears (17)
2000
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $32.37
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $12.52
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.17
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), New England Patriots (9)
2001
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $35.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.13
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.56
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (29), Detroit Lions (27)
2002
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $34.56
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.84
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.46
> Football results: New England Patriots (20), Detroit Lions (12)
2003
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $36.28
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.47
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.14
> Football results: Detroit Lions (22), Green Bay Packers (14)
2004
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $35.68
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $14.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.85
> Football results: Indianapolis Colts (41), Detroit Lions (9)
2005
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $36.78
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.11
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $6.67
> Football results: Atlanta Falcons (27), Detroit Lions (7)
2006
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $38.10
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $15.70
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.55
> Football results: Miami Dolphins (27), Detroit Lions (10)
2007
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $42.26
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $17.63
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $7.68
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (37), Detroit Lions (26)
2008
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $44.61
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $19.09
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.15
> Football results: Tennessee Titans (47), Detroit Lions (10)
2009
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $42.91
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $18.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.18
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (34), Detroit Lions (12)
2010
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $43.47
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $17.66
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.24
> Football results: New England Patriots (45), Detroit Lions (24)
2011
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.20
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.57
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.62
> Football results: Green Bay Packers (27), Detroit Lions (15)
2012
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.48
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $22.23
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.37
> Football results: Houston Texans (34), Detroit Lions (31)
2013
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.04
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.76
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.45
> Football results: Detroit Lions (40), Green Bay Packers (10)
2014
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.41
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $21.65
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.44
> Football results: Detroit Lions (34), Chicago Bears (17)
2015
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $50.11
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $23.04
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.47
> Football results: Detroit Lions (45), Philadelphia Eagles (14)
2016
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10: $49.87
> Cost of 16 lbs. turkey: $22.74
> Cost of 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 14 oz. stuffing, and 12 oz. cranberries: $8.66
> Football results: Detroit Lions (16), Minnesota Vikings (13)
Detailed Findings & Methodology
A number of factors can impact the price of traditional Thanksgiving foods. For example, increases in cold storage inventories have expanded the U.S. supply of frozen turkeys by nearly 10% compared to last year. The greater supply lowered the retail cost of turkey. The average price of a 16-pound turkey fell from $22.74 in 2016 to $22.38 in 2017, the lowest since 2014.
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The price of milk has also fallen in recent years due to increased production levels. According to the AFBF, the average price of a gallon of milk today is $2.99, the lowest point since 2009.
While the price of the average Thanksgiving meal today is nearly 10 times as high as it was in 1947, the retail cost of food has actually declined significantly over the past seven decades when adjusted for inflation. The trend in falling real food prices has been made possible by an excess supply of dairy products, meat, and grains, as well as low energy costs in food transportation and refrigeration. Adjusted for inflation, the price of Thanksgiving dinner today is $10 lower than it was 70 years ago. The real cost of Thanksgiving dinner has fallen below $5 per person -- less than the cost of most fast food.
To determine the cost of a Thanksgiving meal every year from 1947 to 2016, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed price data from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving price survey. The survey collects data on the prices of items consumed in a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10. The data is gathered by a team of volunteer shoppers around the country, and the survey first started in 1986. The AFBF found every year that the change in the cost of the Thanksgiving meal tracks closely with the changing price of food at home as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For years prior to 1986, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the cost of a Thanksgiving meal and its individual components using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index for food at home in November from 1947 to 1985. The results of Thanksgiving Day NFL games each year came from the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.
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