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LLM TOKEN COSTS PLUNGE 53% FROM MAY PEAK

AI DESK1 MIN READ
TUE, SEP 1, 2026

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The average cost per million AI tokens has dropped to 97 cents, down sharply from a $2.07 high on May 28. The decline reflects months of falling prices across the LLM market.

The LLM Token Expenditure Index hit fresh lows this week, signaling continued deflation in artificial intelligence pricing. The metric—a closely watched gauge of token costs—shows a 53% decline over a roughly six-month period. The sharp downward trend reflects increased competition among AI providers and efficiency improvements in model development. Major AI companies have been aggressively lowering prices to expand market share and drive adoption. Token pricing has become a critical factor for enterprises deploying large language models at scale. Lower costs reduce barriers to entry and make AI applications more economically viable across industries. The ongoing price compression may pressure margins for some providers, though market leaders continue investing heavily in model improvements and infrastructure. Smaller competitors and startups benefit from access to cheaper compute resources, intensifying competitive dynamics in the sector.

■ SOURCES

Techmeme

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