July 4th: Cost to celebrate Independence Day rises

The cost of freedom is high ... and so is the celebration.

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The U.S. Farm Bureau , an advocacy group supporting farmers and ranchers, crunched the numbers and found that if you’re hosting 10 people for the July 4th holiday you can expect to spend $71.22 on average, Reuters reported.

Last year, a cookout for 10 cost about $67.73.

CNN reported that the amount has broken a record, climbing 5% since 2023 and 30% since 2019.

The cost of meat is the main reason for the higher cost, accounting for about half of the $71.

The federation said that the price of 2 pounds of ground beef costs about $12.77 this year, or 11% more than last year.

Pork is up about 8% compared to last year, costing about $15.49 for three pounds.

But all is not sour. There is a glimmer of good news. Chicken is about 4% lower than last year at about $7.83 for two pounds.

Homemade potato salad is a bit cheaper too, with ingredients about 4% lower than in 2023.

Cheese and strawberries were pretty stable, only rising about 1% each year.

Here’s the complete list as compiled by the U.S. Farm Bureau:

• 2 pounds of ground beef, $12.77 (+11%)
• 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.83 (-4%)
• 3 pounds of pork chops, $15.49 (+8%)
• 1 pound of cheese, $3.57 (+1%)
• 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.41 (+7%)
• 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.32 (-4%)
• 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.49 (+2%)
• 16 ounces of potato chips, $4.90 (+8%)
• 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.99 (+2%)
• ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.65 (+7%)
• 2 pints of strawberries, $4.61 (+1%)
• 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.19 (+12%)

Depending on where you live, the price of your July 4 barbecue may be cheaper or more expensive. The Farm Bureau said it will cost $63.54 in the Northeast, while the South will see a $68.33 bill and the Midwest will spend about $68.26.

The most expensive region is the West at $80.88.

Not everyone agrees on the rising cost of barbecues. International bank Rabobank said the cost to host 10 people for a barbecue was significantly higher than what was found by the U.S. Farm Bureau, coming in at $99, or $2 more than last year’s average, Reuters reported.