Real Cost of Food

an itemized look at what your groceries actually buy you

dairy

Cheddar Cheese cost $5.96/lb

priced and measured per 100g

Current price (per lb) $5.96

as of 2026-06 · U.S. city average · source: BLS

▼ 3.58% vs last year

What that price actually buys you

Protein per dollar 17.4 g
Calories per dollar 307
Iron per dollar 0.11 mg
Zinc per dollar 2.77 mg
Vitamin B12 per dollar 0.84 µg
Folate per dollar 20.55 µg

Nutrition per 100g

Calories 403 kcal
Protein 22.87 g
Carbs 3.37 g
Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0.48 g
Iron 0.14 mg
Zinc 3.64 mg
Vitamin B12 1.1 µg
Folate 27 µg

nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173414)

Beyond the price tag

Water use high
Storage life long

Common in dairy states; aged cheese has long shelf life relative to fresh dairy

source: