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Report Finds 8% Higher School Supply Costs for Families

9/2/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A new report finds U.S. families face nearly 8% higher school supply costs year-over-year.
The average school-supply basket now costs about $175, up from last year.
Lunchboxes rose from $14.91 in July 2025 to $18.91 in July 2026, a 26% increase.
UCLA professor Chris Tang says the surge reflects higher plastic costs tied to the oil crisis from Iran's war.

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Story summary

A new report finds U.S. families face nearly 8% higher school supply costs year-over-year.
The average school-supply basket now costs about $175, up from last year.
Lunchboxes rose from $14.91 in July 2025 to $18.91 in July 2026, a 26% increase.
UCLA professor Chris Tang says the surge reflects higher plastic costs tied to the oil crisis from Iran's war.