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Is Buying Half a Cow Cheaper?

Compare bulk beef prices to grocery store prices cut-by-cut. See exactly where the savings come from (and where they don't).

Bulk Beef vs. Grocery Store

Calculate by:
$/ lb

This is your total cost divided by take-home weight. Typical range: $8-12/lb. Use our price calculator to find yours.

Where the Savings Come From

Biggest Savings: Premium Steaks

Ribeye ($20-30/lb grocery) and filet mignon ($25-40/lb grocery) at your bulk price of $10/lb means 50-70% savings on the cuts you'd pay most for.

Moderate Savings: Roasts

Chuck roast and brisket at grocery stores run $8-12/lb. At bulk prices, you're saving about 20-30% on these workhorse cuts.

Break-Even: Ground Beef

Grocery ground beef runs $5-7/lb. At $10/lb bulk effective price, you're actually paying more for the ground beef portion. But it's subsidized by the steak savings.

Apples to Apples?

This calculator compares bulk beef to standard grocery store prices. But bulk beef from local farms often isn't "standard":

  • •Traceability: You know exactly which farm raised your beef.
  • •Quality: Local farms often raise animals more humanely with better feed than industrial operations.
  • •Customization: You choose how every cut is processed.
  • •Freshness: Processed when you order, not sitting in a distribution warehouse.

Many families find the quality difference alone worth any premium over commodity grocery beef.

Should You Buy Bulk?

Good Fit If...

  • • Your family eats beef 3+ times per week
  • • You have (or will buy) freezer space
  • • You want to know where your food comes from
  • • You can afford the upfront cost
  • • You eat a variety of cuts, not just ground beef

May Not Fit If...

  • • You only eat ground beef
  • • You don't have freezer space
  • • The upfront cost is a hardship
  • • You prefer shopping week-to-week
  • • Local bulk prices exceed $13/lb take-home

Frequently Asked Questions

Is buying half a cow actually cheaper than the grocery store?
For most families, yes. Your effective cost of $8-12/lb includes premium cuts (ribeye, filet) that cost $20-40/lb retail. The biggest savings are on steaks and roasts. Ground beef alone isn't much cheaper, but you're averaging the cost across all cuts.
Why does bulk beef seem expensive at first glance?
Sticker shock is common because you're paying for everything at once ($2,000-3,000 for half a cow). But spread that across 200+ lbs of meat over 6+ months, and the per-meal cost is lower than grocery shopping. It's like Costco bulk buying, but for beef.
What grocery price should I compare to?
Don't compare just to ground beef prices. The fair comparison is a weighted average: 40% ground beef ($6.50/lb), 20% steaks ($18/lb avg), 20% roasts ($9/lb), plus other cuts. This weighted average is around $10-11/lb at grocery stores.
Are there hidden costs with bulk beef?
Main additional costs: a freezer if you don't have one ($200-400 one-time) and electricity to run it (~$30-40/year). Some farms charge separately for processing ($0.75-1.50/lb). Always confirm total cost including processing before committing.
When is bulk beef NOT a good deal?
If your bulk price exceeds $12-13/lb take-home, you may not save money compared to grocery stores. Premium grass-fed/organic at $15+/lb is about quality, not savings. Also consider: do you have freezer space? Will you actually eat it all?

Related Calculators

Price Calculator

Calculate your effective price per pound including processing.

Yield Calculator

See exactly what cuts you'll get from your purchase.

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