If it feels like back-to-school shopping hits harder this year, you're not wrong. A typical school supply list now costs nearly $5 more than last year, according to our KCL Price Tracker data. For example, 1-inch binders jumped from $1 in 2024 to $1.50 in 2025. And it’s not just paper and notebooks — binders and tech accessories have crept up in price too, which makes it even tougher to find back-to-school deals.

What’s driving these increases? Ongoing inflation, supply chain issues, and fewer storewide sales are making it tougher to find last year’s low prices. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying more.

Our updated 2025 Back-to-School Stock-Up Price List includes the lowest prices you should aim to pay for more than 80 school supplies, adjusted to reflect 2025’s inflation reality. Download the full list below and follow our smart shopping game plan so you don’t overspend. We can also teach you how to get school supplies for free.

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The Price Reality

So how much more are you actually paying in 2025? We compared 2024 and 2025 stock-up prices across dozens of school supply basics, and the results are mixed. Some items held steady or dropped in price, while others, like binders and pencils, saw significant hikes.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s changed and where you might still find savings:

Total Impact: A typical school supply list now costs about $4 - $7 more than it did in 2024, depending on what’s on the list. I know that for my own third grader’s supply list, I’m paying $4.89 more this year for the exact same items.

Our updated Back-to-School Stock-Up Price List includes exact prices to target for more than 80 school items, and you’ll also see how this year’s prices compare to 2024.

Why Prices Shifted

Some of the price hikes come down to inflation and supply issues, especially on plastic-heavy supplies like binders and certain accessories. At the same time, we’re seeing fewer storewide promos and stackable coupons this year, so you might not be able to save as much with layered deals.

That said, not everything has gone up. Some prices have dropped thanks to retailer overstock, store competition, or shifts in back-to-school promotions. Items like hand sanitizer, construction paper, and even highlighters are also cheaper than last year at a few major stores.

Items Worth Splurging vs. Going Cheap

Not every item on your list deserves a bargain-bin swap. Some are worth paying full price for, especially when 2025 deals aren’t actually better than last year.

Worth the Splurge:

These items held steady from 2024 or even dropped in price, so it’s okay to grab the name brand.

• Crayola Crayons, 24 ct — Still $0.50 when on sale

• Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz — Down to $1 from $2

• Construction Paper, 50 ct — Now $1 instead of $2.50

• Scissors (Fiskars) — Holding steady at $1.47 on sale

• Pencil Boxes — No increase from last year’s $1 low

Go Cheap Instead:

Some name brands got hit hard by price hikes, but store brands or off-brands still do the job.

• Sticky Notes — Name-brand 100-count packs are on sale for $1 (vs. store brands for $0.67 or less )

• Binders, 1 in — Avery brand is around $4 (Walmart store brand is only $0.50)

• Glue Sticks — Name brands are up to $0.50 each (vs. store brand for $0.25 or less)

• Dry Erase Markers — Name brands are $0.97 or more per marker now (off-brands can be under $0.50)

• Tech Accessories — USB drives and headphones are up at most stores (watch for clearance or bundle deals in late August)

As you’ll see in the full Stock-Up Price List, the splurge items often show up as green (price drop) or gray (no change), while the red flags are the ones you might want to skip or swap for a cheaper option.

Your 2025 Shopping Game Plan

The key to saving this year isn’t just what you buy — it’s when. Thanks to a short-term trade agreement between the U.S. and China, certain tariffs on imported goods have been rolled back temporarily, dropping prices on backpacks, laptops, and sneakers.

The catch? These temporary tariff cuts only last 90 days, and they started in May. By mid-August, those lower prices could disappear, and tariffs might push prices back up.

In plain terms: Don’t wait until September to shop. If you need tech, shoes, or gear, buy now while prices are still low.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best months to shop different categories:

• July : Stock up on basics: crayons, notebooks, pencils, erasers, glue sticks. Most stores drop these to rock-bottom prices around mid-July, especially during tax-free weekends. Pair sales with coupons to save the most.

• August: Focus on clothing, backpacks, lunchboxes, and lunch containers. Look for markdowns on name-brand backpacks like JanSport and Cat & Jack.

• Tech Gear: Buy as soon as possible to lock in lower prices before tariffs potentially return in mid-August.

We’ve also included a visual countdown in our temporary tariff cuts article that shows how long the price breaks last on certain items (hint: some expire after 90 days).

Related Reading:

• Temporary Tariff Cuts = Huge Savings on School Supplies

• Walmart Back-to-School Deals

• Target Back-to-School Sale

• Staples Back-to-School Sale