National survey finds July 4th cookout in Missouri costs less than U.S. average

June 25, 2026

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Missourians can plan on enjoying affordable food options for their Fourth of July gatherings this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation's 2026 Summer Cookout Cost Survey found that Missourians will be paying $2.07 less than the national average for their Independence Day barbecue. The national average for a summer cookout for 10 people came to $73.82 or $7.38 per person. In Missouri, it averaged $71.75 or $7.18 per person.

The survey consisted of ground beef, cheese, cookies, ice cream, strawberries, chips, chicken breasts, pork chops, pork & beans, hamburger buns, lemonade, and potato salad. Potato salad saw the largest decrease in national average, dropping nearly 18% from 2025. Strawberries and pork & beans saw the largest increase, at 12% and nearly 14%, respectively.

"Missourians can still gather around the grill this Independence Day without breaking the family budget," said Garrett Hawkins, president of Missouri Farm Bureau. "While prices are higher compared to a few years ago, our state's average cookout cost comes in below the national average and right in line with the Midwest. That's a testament to the hard work and productivity of Missouri farmers and ranchers who continue producing a safe, affordable food supply despite higher input costs, labor challenges and ongoing economic uncertainty. The numbers are a reminder that America's farmers are delivering tremendous value to consumers every time they sit down to a meal."

The Midwest region as a whole saw a decrease of $2.37 from the national average, with the full menu for ten people totaling $71.45 or $7.15 per person.

Average prices for the menu items are as follows:

• Ground beef, 2 lbs national average $14.06 Missouri average $14.46
• Chicken breast, 2 lbs national average $8.06 Missouri average $8.30
• Pork chops, 3 lbs national average $17.79 Missouri average $15.59
• Burger buns, 1 pack national average $2.53 Missouri average $2.06
• Cheese, 1 lb national average $3.60 Missouri average $3.04
• Chips, 16 oz national average $4.76 Missouri average $4.69
• Cookies, 1 package national average $4.25 Missouri average $3.48
• Pork & Beans, 32oz national average $3.06 Missouri average $2.30
• Lemonade national average $4.51 Missouri average $4.39
• Potato Salad national average $2.91 Missouri average $1.72
• Ice Cream, 0.5 gal national average $5.99 Missouri average $5.99
• Strawberries, 2 pts. national average $5.25 Missouri average $5.73