AI 29 Sept 2026
AI got 52% cheaper in four months
The average price per million AI tokens has roughly halved since its May 2026 peak.
From about $2.07 to $0.99 per million tokens (26 Sep 2026). The index is usage-weighted, so it reflects a shift toward cheaper models as well as falling list prices. Cheaper intelligence does not automatically mean smaller bills, since usage keeps growing.
- May 2026 peak: ~$2.07 per million tokens
- 26 Sep 2026: $0.99 per million tokens (−52%)
Sources
- Silicon Data LLM Token Expenditure Index (SDLLMTK), 26 Sep 2026
- Tech Startups (May peak), 3 Sep 2026



