A new study has revealed the cost of a Thanksgiving meal the year you were born
Key findings:
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In 1945, a Thanksgiving meal for ten cost just $3.36. By 2023, the cost has risen to $61.17.
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In 2023, the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for ten was $61.17, which is a 13% increase compared to $53.31 in 2021.
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In 1960, a Thanksgiving meal for ten cost about the same as a movie ticket today. Back in 1950, the entire dinner would set you back just $2.99, roughly equivalent to the price of a large coffee now.
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The Baby Boomers typically spent around $20 for a Thanksgiving meal in the 1980s, Gen X saw average prices rise to about $32 in the 1990s, and Millennials and Gen Z have paid the highest average of $61 in recent years.
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Looking ahead to 2024, the estimated cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for ten is $59.27. This estimate uses 2023 data from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator.
Consumer trend experts at online discount platform Wethrift used American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) survey data and the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator to show Thanksgiving costs from 1945 to 2024.
Here’s a look at Thanksgiving meal costs through the years:
| Year | Cost of Turkey (16 lbs) |
Combined cost of sweet potatoes (3 lbs), bread stuffing (14 oz), and cranberries (12 oz) | Cost of a Thanksgiving Meal (for 10 people) |
NFL Thanksgiving Game Result |
| 2024 | $28.08 | $10.11 | $59.27 | TBD |
| 2023 | $27.35 | $9.84 | $61.17 | Green Bay Packers (29), Detroit Lions (22) |
| 2022 | $28.96 | $10.41 | $64.05 | Buffalo Bills (28), Detroit Lions (25) |
| 2021 | $23.99 | $8.83 | $53.31 | Chicago Bears (16), Detroit Lions (14) |
| 2020 | $19.39 | $8.94 | $46.90 | Houston Texans (41), Detroit Lions (25) |
| 2019 | $20.80 | $9.09 | $48.91 | Chicago Bears (24), Detroit Lions (20) |
| 2018 | $21.71 | $8.91 | $48.90 | Chicago Bears (23), Detroit Lions (16) |
| 2017 | $22.38 | $8.76 | $49.12 | Minnesota Vikings (30), Detroit Lions (23) |
| 2016 | $22.74 | $8.66 | $49.87 | Detroit Lions (16), Minnesota Vikings (13) |
| 2015 | $23.04 | $8.47 | $50.11 | Detroit Lions (45), Philadelphia Eagles (14) |
| 2014 | $21.65 | $8.44 | $49.41 | Detroit Lions (34), Chicago Bears (17) |
| 2013 | $21.76 | $8.45 | $49.04 | Detroit Lions (40), Green Bay Packers (10) |
| 2012 | $22.23 | $8.37 | $49.48 | Houston Texans (34), Detroit Lions (31) |
| 2011 | $21.57 | $8.62 | $49.20 | Green Bay Packers (27), Detroit Lions (15) |
| 2010 | $17.66 | $8.24 | $43.47 | New England Patriots (45), Detroit Lions (24) |
| 2009 | $18.65 | $8.18 | $42.91 | Green Bay Packers (34), Detroit Lions (12) |
| 2008 | $19.09 | $8.15 | $44.61 | Tennessee Titans (47), Detroit Lions (10) |
| 2007 | $17.63 | $7.68 | $42.26 | Green Bay Packers (37), Detroit Lions (26) |
| 2006 | $15.70 | $7.55 | $38.10 | Miami Dolphins (27), Detroit Lions (10) |
| 2005 | $15.11 | $6.67 | $36.78 | Atlanta Falcons (27), Detroit Lions (7) |
| 2004 | $14.23 | $6.85 | $35.68 | Indianapolis Colts (41), Detroit Lions (9) |
| 2003 | $15.47 | $7.14 | $36.28 | Detroit Lions (22), Green Bay Packers (14) |
| 2002 | $14.84 | $6.46 | $34.56 | New England Patriots (20), Detroit Lions (12) |
| 2001 | $15.13 | $6.56 | $35.04 | Green Bay Packers (29), Detroit Lions (27) |
| 2000 | $12.52 | $6.17 | $32.37 | Detroit Lions (34), New England Patriots (9) |
| 1999 | $14.23 | $6.17 | $33.83 | Detroit Lions (21), Chicago Bears (17) |
| 1998 | $13.71 | $6.46 | $33.09 | Detroit Lions (19), Pittsburgh Steelers (16) |
| 1997 | $13.47 | $6.04 | $31.75 | Detroit Lions (55), Chicago Bears (20) |
| 1996 | $13.46 | $6.05 | $31.66 | Kansas City Chiefs (28), Detroit Lions (24) |
| 1995 | $12.68 | $6.07 | $29.64 | Detroit Lions (44), Minnesota Vikings (38) |
| 1994 | $12.00 | $5.74 | $28.40 | Detroit Lions (35), Buffalo Bills (21) |
| 1993 | $13.55 | $5.16 | $27.49 | Chicago Bears (10), Detroit Lions (6) |
| 1992 | $11.05 | $4.94 | $26.39 | Houston Oilers (24), Detroit Lions (21) |
| 1991 | $10.67 | $4.69 | $25.95 | Detroit Lions (16), Chicago Bears (6) |
| 1990 | $12.84 | $4.89 | $28.85 | Detroit Lions (40), Denver Broncos (27) |
| 1989 | $10.77 | $4.09 | $24.70 | Detroit Lions (13), Cleveland Browns (10) |
| 1988 | $11.84 | $4.05 | $26.61 | Minnesota Vikings (23), Detroit Lions (0) |
| 1987 | $10.88 | $3.21 | $24.51 | Kansas City Chiefs (27), Detroit Lions (20) |
| 1986 | $14.24 | $3.92 | $28.74 | Green Bay Packers (44), Detroit Lions (40) |
| 1985 | $9.71 | $3.50 | $20.32 | Detroit Lions (31), New York Jets (20) |
| 1984 | $9.38 | $3.37 | $19.61 | Detroit Lions (31), Green Bay Packers (28) |
| 1983 | $9.01 | $3.24 | $18.85 | Detroit Lions (45), Pittsburgh Steelers (3) |
| 1982 | $8.73 | $3.14 | $18.27 | New York Giants (13), Detroit Lions (6) |
| 1981 | $8.35 | $3.00 | $17.45 | Detroit Lions (27), Kansas City Chiefs (10) |
| 1980 | $7.62 | $2.74 | $15.93 | Chicago Bears (23), Detroit Lions (17) |
| 1979 | $6.76 | $2.43 | $14.14 | Detroit Lions (20), Chicago Bears (0) |
| 1978 | $6.00 | $2.16 | $12.55 | Detroit Lions (17), Denver Broncos (14) |
| 1977 | $5.51 | $1.98 | $11.53 | Chicago Bears (31), Detroit Lions (14) |
| 1976 | $5.17 | $1.86 | $10.83 | Detroit Lions (27), Buffalo Bills (14) |
| 1975 | $4.93 | $1.77 | $10.30 | Los Angeles Rams (20), Detroit Lions (0) |
| 1974 | $4.59 | $1.65 | $9.60 | Denver Broncos (31), Detroit Lions (27) |
| 1973 | $4.09 | $1.46 | $8.53 | Washington Redskins (20), Detroit Lions (0) |
| 1972 | $3.78 | $1.36 | $7.90 | Detroit Lions (37), New York Jets (20) |
| 1971 | $3.64 | $1.31 | $7.62 | Detroit Lions (32), Kansas City Chiefs (21) |
| 1970 | $3.53 | $1.27 | $7.38 | Detroit Lions (28), Oakland Raiders (14) |
| 1969 | $3.34 | $1.20 | $6.99 | Minnesota Vikings (27), Detroit Lions (0) |
| 1968 | $3.15 | $1.13 | $6.58 | Philadelphia Eagles (12), Detroit Lions (0) |
| 1967 | $3.01 | $1.08 | $6.30 | Los Angeles Rams (31), Detroit Lions (7) |
| 1966 | $2.93 | $1.06 | $6.15 | San Francisco 49ers (41), Detroit Lions (14) |
| 1965 | $2.82 | $1.02 | $5.91 | Detroit Lions (24), Baltimore Colts (24) |
| 1964 | $2.78 | $0.99 | $5.81 | Chicago Bears (27), Detroit Lions (24) |
| 1963 | $2.74 | $0.99 | $5.75 | Detroit Lions (13), Green Bay Packers (13) |
| 1962 | $2.71 | $0.97 | $5.67 | Detroit Lions (26), Green Bay Packers (14) |
| 1961 | $2.67 | $0.97 | $5.60 | Green Bay Packers (17), Detroit Lions (9) |
| 1960 | $2.65 | $0.96 | $5.55 | Detroit Lions (23), Green Bay Packers (10) |
| 1959 | $2.62 | $0.94 | $5.50 | Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (17) |
| 1958 | $2.58 | $0.93 | $5.40 | Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (14) |
| 1957 | $2.53 | $0.91 | $5.29 | Detroit Lions (18), Green Bay Packers (6) |
| 1956 | $2.45 | $0.89 | $5.12 | Green Bay Packers (24), Detroit Lions (20) |
| 1955 | $2.40 | $0.86 | $5.02 | Detroit Lions (24), Green Bay Packers (10) |
| 1954 | $2.20 | $0.86 | $5.01 | Detroit Lions (49), New York Yanks (14) |
| 1953 | $2.39 | $0.86 | $5.02 | Detroit Lions (28), Green Bay Packers (24) |
| 1952 | $2.12 | $0.86 | $4.98 | Chicago Bears (28), Detroit Lions (7) |
| 1951 | $2.40 | $0.84 | $4.91 | Detroit Lions (34), Green Bay Packers (15) |
| 1950 | $2.16 | $0.79 | $4.60 | Chicago Cardinals (28), Detroit Lions (14) |
| 1949 | $2.38 | $0.76 | $4.43 | Detroit Lions (48), Green Bay Packers (24) |
| 1948 | $2.06 | $0.78 | $4.52 | Chicago Bears (34), Detroit Lions (14) |
| 1947 | $2.35 | $0.74 | $4.30 | Detroit Lions (52), Green Bay Packers (35) |
| 1946 | $1.90 | $0.69 | $3.98 | Detroit Lions (7), Boston Yanks (17) |
| 1945 | $1.61 | $0.57 | $3.36 | Detroit Lions (21), Cleveland Rams (28) |
Nick Drewe, consumer trend expert and CEO at Wethrift says:
“Our study shows how Thanksgiving dinner prices have changed over time. Even though costs have gone up, families continue to mix old and new traditions. This proves that Thanksgiving is really about being together and sharing a meal, no matter the price tag.
To keep costs down, consider planning your menu early to catch sales, buying some items in bulk, and using local seasonal food. You could also share a meal prep with others, turning cooking into a fun group activity. These ideas can help spread out the cost while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
Thanksgiving is about appreciation and connection. With some smart planning, families can enjoy a meaningful celebration that fits their budget. It’s a chance to honor traditions while also embracing new ways to make the holiday special.”
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David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
