# How much does bacon cost? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468 "2013-07-14T14:03:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/1 "2013-07-14T14:03:46Z")
I’ve been getting bacon from Cash & Carry for a couple of years now. It used to be that a 6-pound package cost about $2.95/pound. Yesterday, it was $4.67/pound. Good bacon. Not too thick, not too thin, and not too much fat. But you know? Those flat-packs of bacon at the supermarket aren’t bad. Sure, I’d prefer more meat and less fat than some of them offer. Perfectly acceptable, though. Now I’m wondering how much supermarket bacon costs per pound. Maybe it’s cheaper to just buy it there? What’s bacon going for nowadays? ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/2 "2013-07-14T14:49:34Z")
Supermarket prices for bacon are fairly volatile within a range; pork bellies trade as a commodity like wheat and sugar, etc. I shop at a privately-owned chain in the Boston area whose prices are lower than the publicly-traded companies that own the others, and I’d say the prices for the store’s own brand fluctuate between $2.49 and $3.69, every once in a while hitting $3.99. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/3 "2013-07-14T14:55:24Z")
I typically pay between $3.50 and $6.00 a pound around here. It’s common to see 2 for $6.99 sales, one pound by itself varies a lot. Recent reports are that the price will rise in the near future because of some hog disease reaching the US. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/4 "2013-07-14T14:58:25Z")
There’s bacon, and then there’s _bacon_. [Exceptional bacon](http://ncsmokehouse.com/bacons/applewood-smoked-bacon-91.html) costs $9.25 per pound. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/5 "2013-07-14T16:41:40Z")
I buy butcher counter thick-sliced pepper bacon, cured by a local producer from a local hog farm. It runs about $4.60 a pound and is lean and excellent. I can buy cheaper bacon on sale at around $3.00/lb, but the quality really suffers. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/6 "2013-07-14T16:46:12Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I buy butcher counter thick-sliced pepper bacon, cured by a local producer from a local hog farm. It runs about $4.60 a pound and is lean and excellent. I can buy cheaper bacon on sale at around $3.00/lb, but the quality really suffers. I get high quality slab bacon at the butcher shop, typically between $4 and $5 a pound. I generally get it sliced to 1/4" thick or more. Most of my bacon purchases are for quick eating so I pick up Oscar Mayer or Boar’s Head at the grocery. The other packaged brands are so full of water and fat the effective cost ends up around $20 a pound for cooked bacon. The slab bacon has to be cooked slowly to keep it from getting tough or hard as a rock, and I have to make sure they aren’t slicing from an overly lean portion. But you can’t beat that flavor. If I wasn’t on a low-carb diet right now I’d be making me some caramelized bacon right now. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/7 "2013-07-14T17:09:27Z")
I’ve started curing and smoking my own bacon. Very easy to do and you cannot beat the flavor. Works out to $4-5/ Lb depending on what I pay for the pork bellies. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/8 "2013-07-14T17:41:53Z")
I just checked the fridge and the slab bacon at the Polish deli is $6/lb. I’ll have to check the store, but I’m a bit surprised that people are finding it for under $3/lb. I could swear that even the Oscar Meyer bacon is something like $5/lb at Target. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/9 "2013-07-14T17:56:14Z")
Oscar Meyer at Jewel - $6.89 per pound. Oscar Meyer at Dominick’s - $6.89 per pound. Oscar Meyer at WalMart - $5.99 per pound (I believe - it may have changed). Target is around the same. Oscar Meyer at Eurofresh - $2.99 per pound (special sale - we got ten pounds. My freezer is VERY happy!) In other words - it’s all over the map around here. But usually, if it’s Oscar Meyer, over $5. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/10 "2013-07-14T18:03:30Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > In other words - it’s all over the map around here. But usually, if it’s Oscar Meyer, over $5. This bacon is from Cloverdale Meats. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/11 "2013-07-14T18:07:42Z")
I’ve seen it for less than $2. Though admittedly, that’s the bargain-basement brand at Aldi. Still good enough for most purposes, though. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/12 "2013-07-14T18:20:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > This bacon is from Cloverdale Meats. Hmmm - I’d have to look at the store - I know our area has Oscar Meyer - the stores around here have Hormel, Corn King, we have Farmland, and Boar’s Head and some other one off brands - I don’t recognize that name. I will look next time I’m shopping! > [@Chronos](#): > > I’ve seen it for less than $2. Though admittedly, that’s the bargain-basement brand at Aldi. > > Still good enough for most purposes, though. Totally agree - I will get any old brand that’s cheapest when I am cooking with it. I won’t spend money on “premium” priced bacon when it’s an ingredient. For BLT’s though, or for breakfast, we prefer Oscar Meyer. Which is why I stock up when I can. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/13 "2013-07-15T00:36:38Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I get high quality slab bacon at the butcher shop, typically between $4 and $5 a pound. I generally get it sliced to 1/4" thick or more. Most of my bacon purchases are for quick eating so I pick up Oscar Mayer or Boar’s Head at the grocery. The other packaged brands are so full of water and fat the effective cost ends up around $20 a pound for cooked bacon. The slab bacon has to be cooked slowly to keep it from getting tough or hard as a rock, and I have to make sure they aren’t slicing from an overly lean portion. But you can’t beat that flavor. If I wasn’t on a low-carb diet right now I’d be making me some caramelized bacon right now. I think I was wrong. I think it’s more like $6.50/lb. Worth it to me. ---
**Author:** ![the\_O](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/14 "2013-07-15T04:13:09Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I’ve started curing and smoking my own bacon. > Very easy to do and you cannot beat the flavor. > Works out to $4-5/ Lb depending on what I pay for the pork bellies. You should be getting many many compliments. This is the way to go when it comes to bacon. You could probably open a side business up if you tried. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/15 "2013-07-15T04:45:40Z")
I haven’t seen bacon under $5 in years. (ok, $4.89 a lb.). I do believe the price has gone, and is, going up. Even the no-name brands are only about a dollar less than Oscar Meyer. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/16 "2013-07-15T18:23:48Z")
Around here (the Albuquerque area) the cheap stuff has fairly recently jumped from $2.99/lb to $3.99/lb. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/17 "2013-07-15T19:13:51Z")
And the reason for the increase in bacon prices is last year’s drought. [Cite](http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgAnswers/story.asp?storyID=6902). The prices are way higher in California also. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/18 "2013-07-15T19:28:51Z")
Sounds like $4.28/pound (not $4.67) isn’t so bad. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/19 "2013-07-15T20:24:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Sounds like $4.28/pound (not $4.67) isn’t so bad. For a good brand, it’s extremely reasonable based on what we’re currently paying here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468/20 "2013-07-15T21:23:38Z")
I get “Dailey’s Hardwood Smoked Ends and Pieces” from the outlet place (we call it the “Used Food Store”). It comes in 3lb bags and is _AWSOME!_ Runs about $7.00, so you do the math. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-bacon-cost/663468.md?page=2)