The cost of living in the U.S. has been on the rise for years, and depending on your income and location, you may be feeling like everything is too expensive.
GOBankingRates spoke with retail and personal finance experts to find out what everyday expenses are quietly (or loudly, depending on how close you pay attention) becoming luxury buys in 2026.
Also see three things inflation will make much more expensive in 2026.
Groceries
Your weekly grocery haul may be essential for feeding your family, but these days, it’s also a luxurious splurge.
“The prices of essential grocery items are increasing,” said Paul Gillooly, director at Dot Dot Loans. “Grocery prices have increased due to the supply chain problems, the climate and the increased energy prices. Families can no longer afford to go to the grocery store and get ‘treats’. They are simply cutting out grocery items all together.”
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Fast Food and Takeout
Fast food and takeout have become costlier for the same reasons groceries have — but there’s more to the story.
“Takeout has become more expensive due to wage increases, higher ingredient costs and delivery platform markups, which have transformed convenience into a premium service,” said Alexander Ketter, a consumer and savings expert and managing director USA at Coupons.com.
White Chicken Meat
Some foods are seeing particularly high price hikes, including white chicken meat.
“White chicken meat, such as boneless skinless chicken breast, is becoming a household luxury for many families,” said Greg Zakowicz, e-commerce and retail advisor to Omnisend. “Poultry stock is still recovering from the bird flu while production costs and commercial demand remain high.”
Fresh Fruit
Certain fresh fruits have always bordered on luxury for middle-class consumers, depending on location. But now it doesn’t matter much where you live.
“If you pack your kids lunch you could be spending upwards of $100 a week on even seasonal fruits (and don’t get me started on what they don’t eat and we have to toss),” said Bobby Ghoshal, CEO at Dupe.com. “I try to buy fruit that is in season, on sale (by three for $10) and I never buy pre-cut fruit.”
Utility Bills
Many are also struggling to cover the basic cost of utilities with energy bills on the rise.
“Energy prices are now a consistent expense for families, and not something that will change,” Gillooly said. “Having energy become a financial category of your household is quite alarming.”
You Can’t Beat Inflation, but You Can Change Your Habits
Overcoming inflation is not something within our power as consumers, but we can develop money-saving habits to better stand up to it.
“Cut where you can: store-brand staples, meals built around what is on sale and insurance rates shopped at every renewal without exception,” said Pavel Efremov, director at FinchTrade. “Then move what you save into a high-yield savings account generating 4% to 5%.”
Prices may or may not stabilize. You cannot be controlled by the hope that maybe soaring costs will fall. “Treat these price increases as permanent and build your habits around that reality,” Efremov said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Experts Say These 5 Everyday Expenses Are Quietly Becoming Luxury Purchases in 2026
