How prices of 10 common grocery items changed in Canada over a decade
Grocery store receipts 10 years ago probably looked like a dream compared to what Canadians pay for food nowadays.
For example, Canadians are now paying almost 50 per cent more for eggs and apples. But perhaps the most dramatic price increase was the price of onions, which now cost a whopping 235 per cent more per kilo than they did a decade ago — a stark reminder of how much grocery store prices have climbed over the years.
Inflation in Canada may have cooled to 1.7 per cent in April, according to Statistics Canada, but that hasn’t extended to food costs. In fact, food prices actually increased by 3.8 per cent compared to last year, and with tariff-impacted products set to hit the shelves, your grocery store bill could climb even higher in the coming months.
So, how different was the cost of living in 2015 compared to 2025?
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation CMHC, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Canada in 2015 was $1,103. However, by 2024, rent for a one-bedroom unit had increased to $1,715. According to the Employee Benefits Source, the federal minimum wage in 2015 was $10.55; in comparison, in 2025, the federal minimum wage is $17.75 per hour.
Using data from Statistics Canada’s website, we set out to compare the cost of some everyday items in 2015 vs. 2025.
Ground beef
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2015: $12.43 (1 kg)
2025: $13.85 (1 kg)
Percentage increase: 11 per cent
Bacon
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2015: $6.75 (500 grams)
2025: $6.75 (500 grams)
Percentage increase: None
Eggs
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2015: $3.34 (one dozen)
2025: $4.92 (one dozen)
Percentage increase: 47 per cent
Butter
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2015: $4.59 (454 grams)
2025: $5.64 (454 grams)
Percentage increase: 23 per cent
Bread
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2015: $2.81 (675 grams)
2025: $3.48 (675 grams)
Percentage increase: 24 per cent
Potatoes
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2015: $5.56 (4.54 kg)
2025: $4.77 (4.54 kg)
Percentage decrease: 14 per cent
Onions
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2015: $1.68 (1 kg)
2025: $5.63 (1 kg)
Percentage increase: 235 per cent
Apples
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2015: $3.71 (1 kg)
2025: $5.44 (1 kg)
Percentage increase: 46.63 per cent
Bananas
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2015: $1.73 (1 kg)
2025: $1.67 (1 kg)
Percentage decrease: 3 per cent
Roasted coffee
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2015: $6.44 (300 g)
2025: $6.70 (300 g)
Percentage increase: 4 per cent
Surprisingly, bananas and potatoes actually got slightly cheaper over the years.
Prices for some items, like bacon, ground beef, and coffee, remained either relatively unchanged or showed a slight increase. However, bread prices rose by 24 per cent and butter is now 23 per cent more expensive, clear signs that everyday essentials haven’t been immune to rising grocery costs.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!