The disparity between prices in blue states and red states is bonkers - a 10-15% difference in costs. Under $2.00 per dozen eggs (on sale, ~$3.00 normally, seems to be trending down too?) where I'm at contrasted to $4.00 or higher in big cities. The closer you live to ranches and farms, the cheaper the meat, as well.

If you go to farmers and ranchers directly, source your protein well, make a monthly trip out to the boonies, cross state lines, etc, you can get some serious savings. Hopefully things trend down this year, things have been rough over the last several years.

Beef may be crazy prices right now, but chicken is still very cheap and very healthy. Chicken breast here in a moderate HCOL area can be found for around $2.50/lb.

Mmm.. IMO we have the opposite problem: Meat is too cheap due to subsidies , compared to its environmental and ethical impact.

Soylent Green is people!