How Much Does Bacon Cost?

Last Updated on February 23, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Bacon is one of the most popular and beloved breakfast meats. The savory, smoky flavor of sizzling bacon is hard to resist. But with fluctuating pork prices and other factors impacting costs, how much does bacon cost these days?

This article will break down the average price per pound for various types of bacon. We’ll look at pricing differences between supermarkets, butchers, online sellers, and direct-to-consumer subscriptions. You’ll learn how elements like processing, branding, certifications like organic and artisan, and bacon styles affect cost.

Get ready to find the best bacon buys with a guide to bacon prices.

Highlights

• Average cost per pound ranges from $3 for basic to $12 for premium
• Many factors like processing, branding, and certifications impact prices
• Bulk packs at warehouse stores are cost-effective for brand bacon
• Local butchers and online specialty sellers command higher prices
• Compare prices and buy bulk to get the best supermarket deals
• Coupons, sales and loyalty programs can reduce bacon costs
• Specialty bacon is pricier but can be an occasional treat

How Much Does Bacon Cost?

The average price for a pound of bacon at U.S. supermarkets is around $6. However, prices range from as low as $3 per pound for basic sliced bacon to $12 per pound or more for premium artisanal varieties.

Bacon is sold by the pound, in packs of individual slices, or in bulk “slabs”. The most typical pack size is 16 oz or 1 pound.

Average bacon prices per pound:

• Regular sliced bacon – $4 to $7
• Thick-cut bacon – $7 to $9
• Artisan dry-cured bacon – $9 to $12
• Organic bacon – $8 to $11

Factors impacting bacon prices per pound:

• Brand (premium vs. generic)
• Type (smoked, uncured, flavored)
• Source (commodity vs. local farm)
• Certifications (organic, humane, etc.)
• Processing (sliced, thick-cut, artisanal)
• Package size (bulk discount for family packs)

For a large 1 lb pack of basic smoked bacon, sale prices around $4 per pound are common at discount grocery chains. At the other end of the scale, artisan bacon sold in smaller 8 oz packages can cost $14 per pound or more.

Old Major Market sells traditional smoked bacon for $13.00 per pound, while maple bourbon bacon and applewood smoked bacon are priced at $14.00 per pound.

Red Barn Meats Inc. offers pork bacon at a price of $6.99 per pound, available for pickup or local delivery only.

According to ToastTab, in August 2023, the average national price for a pound of bacon was $5.28.

Why Do Bacon Prices Vary So Much?

Many factors influence the retail price of bacon, including:

Pork Industry Supply and Demand

The underlying price of pork bellies is the starting point for bacon costs. Droughts, diseases, and other factors causing supply shortages drive pork prices and bacon costs up. Oversupply of pork can cause bacon prices to drop.

Processing and Packaging

Turning pork bellies into bacon requires curing, smoking, slicing, and packaging. More processing steps and higher-quality ingredients drive up costs. Pre-cooked and individually packaged bacon is more expensive than basic slices.

Branding and Marketing

Consumers tend to see well-known brands like Oscar Meyer and Hormel Black Label as higher quality and are willing to pay a premium over generic store brands. Differentiators like “all-natural” and “no nitrates added” also boost prices.

Niche and Specialty Bacons

Artisan bacon made in small batches, organic and heritage breed bacons appeal to foodies but cost more due to small-scale production. Flavored bacons like applewood smoked or maple flavored have added ingredients that increase costs.

Comparing Bacon Prices

Where and how shoppers buy bacon impacts pricing significantly. Here are some of the main options, from budget to premium.

Supermarkets

This is where most consumers buy bacon. Price-conscious shoppers look for specials under $4 per pound. Health-conscious buyers pay more for uncured or organic bacon from mainstream brands like Oscar Meyer and Hormel. Big chains like Walmart and Kroger compete aggressively on bacon pricing.

Warehouse Clubs

Shoppers pay a membership fee for bulk pricing. A club like Costco discounts brand-name bacon like Kirkland in large packs. Prices may be $2-3 lower per pound compared to supermarkets.

Butcher Shops

With more processing done in-house, small butcher shops offer specialty selections like house-made bacon from locally sourced pork. Costs are higher than supermarkets, typically $8-12 per pound. Shoppers pay for skilled butcher craftsmanship.

Online & Specialty Stores

You might also like our articles about the cost of pork belly, lamb racks, or venison meat.

Online specialty purveyors like ButcherBox and Crowd Cow ship frozen bacon directly to consumers. Curated selections with premium pork and artisanal processing range from $9-14 per pound. There are niche bacon subscription boxes too.

Direct from Farms

Farmers markets and farm stands sell bacon made from pigs raised at small local farms. This highly local bacon can cost $10 per pound or more but shoppers know exactly where their pork was sourced.

Pricing differences:

• Supermarkets have the lowest prices for basic packaged bacon.
• Warehouse clubs offer discounts on brand-name bacon bought in bulk.
• Local butchers and online specialty sellers offer premium artisanal bacons at higher prices.
• Direct farm-sourced bacon prides traceability over low cost.

Tips for Finding the Best Deals

Here are some tips for keeping your bacon costs down:

• Compare unit prices and buy larger packs for a bulk discount
• Look for specials and promotions offering bacon for $3-4 per pound
• Join loyalty programs at chains like Kroger or Safeway for exclusive deals
• Buy store brand rather than premium brand for 30-50% savings
• Consider less expensive styles like basic sliced versus thick-cut
• Buy in bulk packs and freeze extras to take advantage of sales
• Use coupons, rebate apps, and other incentives to lower the price
• Shop at warehouse stores like Costco for high-quality bacon discounted in bulk

Future Bacon Price Trends and Predictions

What can shoppers expect for bacon prices in the coming years?

• Expansion in bacon demand globally suggests ongoing popularity and higher prices. Bacon is growing internationally.
• Trend toward premium bacons like artisan, organic, and heirloom will push prices higher for those segments.
• Pork industry consolidation may enable large suppliers like Smithfield to keep commodity bacon prices more stable.
• Input costs like fuel, packaging, and refrigeration will lead to gradual price inflation industry-wide.
• E-commerce and subscriptions may disrupt the market, but are unlikely to reduce prices much.
• Price pressure from chains like Walmart will constrain price hikes, keeping most bacon affordable.

Final Words

Bacon pricing can seem complicated because of the many options, specialty types, and variables that impact costs. But armed with the right knowledge, shoppers can still find great value in quality bacon to satisfy any craving.

The best opportunities for savings come from buying in bulk, choosing basic styles like sliced instead of thick-cut, comparing unit prices between brands and stores, and taking advantage of promotions, coupons, and loyalty incentives.

While artisanal bacon costs more, many consumers still enjoy treating themselves to those specialty flavors and textures. Knowing the price range for different types makes it easier to stay within your grocery budget.

With the tips in this guide, bacon lovers can sizzle up those irresistible crispy strips while still keeping costs under control.

How much is a pack of bacon?

The price of a pack of bacon can range quite a bit based on the size of the pack, type of bacon, brand, and where it’s purchased. Some general guidelines on bacon pack pricing:

• A small 8 oz pack of basic sliced bacon typically costs around $4 at a grocery store.
• A large 1 lb or 16 oz pack of a mainstream brand like Oscar Meyer or Hormel can cost $6-7 at major supermarket chains.
• Warehouse stores like Costco sell brand name 1 lb packs for around $5 as a bulk discount price.
• Premium or artisan bacon packs tend to be smaller, like 8-12 oz, for $6-9 per pack.
• Buying large family packs over 2 lbs can reduce per-pound pricing to around $4-5 per pound for basic bacon.

So you can find bacon packs priced anywhere from $4 to $9 depending on size, brand, source, and promotions. Checking unit pricing helps find the best deals.

How many pieces of bacon is 100g?

The number of bacon slices or pieces per 100g varies a bit depending on the slice thickness.

• For average sliced bacon, 100g is approximately 4-5 slices.
• With thick-cut bacon slices, 100g would be around 3-4 slices.
• Extra-thick artisanal bacon slices weigh more, so 100g may only be 2-3 slices.

As a general rule of thumb, you can estimate that a 500g or 1 lb pack of sliced bacon contains about 20-25 individual slices. Thick-cut bacon packs have closer to 15-20 slices per pound.

So when shopping, checking the slice count and thickness on different bacon packs can help compare value and quantity.

Is bacon a cheap cut of meat?

Bacon is made from pork belly, which is one of the cheaper cuts on the pig. So in its basic form as a raw ingredient, bacon comes from an inexpensive cut of meat.

However, there are many additional processing steps to turn pork belly into finished bacon. These include curing, smoking, slicing and packaging, which all increase costs. Branding and marketing premium bacon also adds expense.

While basic commodity bacon made in mass quantities can still be relatively cheap, prices have risen over the years with expanding demand. Specialty gourmet bacons now command premium pricing.

The average cost of bacon is moderate compared to other meats. Bacon used to be thought of as more budget-friendly, but prices have moved closer to chicken or ground beef per pound nowadays. Still, buying bacon in bulk on sale makes enjoying this tasty meat fairly economical.