A mix of inflation, supply-chain disruptions and an increased demand have caused food prices to steadily rise since the beginning of the pandemic. While inflation has come down from last summer's high, some Americans continue to feel the effects of price hikes at the grocery store. The average American household spends more than $1,000 per month on groceries, according to Census Bureau's Household pulse survey. But that number varies depending on where you live and how many family members you're feeding.
The averagefamily spendsabout $270 at the grocery store per week, but that number increases when children are taken into account. Families with kids spend an average of $331 a week on groceries or 41% more than families without kids.
Residents in these states spend the most on groceries
California was at the top of the list for most expensive places to buy groceries, with the average household purchasing $297 worth of groceries per week. Neighboring state, Nevada follows closely behind with the average household spending $294 a week.
The Midwest was home to states with lower-than-average grocery bills: Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Indiana households spent less than $240 at the store on average each week, according to the Census Bureau.
Which cities have the most costly groceries?
Miami may be one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. to buy groceries: The average household spends about $327 a week on groceries which is 14% higher than Florida's statewide average, according to an analysis from HelpAdvisor of the Census Bureau data.
Three of the top 10 most expensive cities for groceries are in California: Riverside, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Rising costs of living and increased housing prices in California reflect the hefty price residents pay at the grocery store.
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How was the data collected?
Data comes from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey, which asked respondents –18 and older – the average amount of money spent on food prepared and eaten at home. The data was measured between Oct. 18 and Oct. 30, 2023.
HelpAdvisor analyzed the most recent available data from the Household Pulse Survey and provides a full report on the demographics and grocery spending habits of Americans.
FAQs
The average family spends about $270 at the grocery store per week, but that number increases when children are taken into account. Families with kids spend an average of $331 a week on groceries or 41% more than families without kids.
What does the average person spend per week on groceries? ›
According to the most recent data released from the Household Pulse Survey, American households spend an average of $270 on groceries a week. Broken down by household size: One person - $156.02. Two people - $220.82.
Which country spends the least on food? ›
The US spends the least at 6.4%, Singapore spends the second lowest amount at 6.7%. Canada spends 9.1% on food, while Australia spends 9.8%. Nigeria spends over half of household income on food, and there are nine other countries that spend over 40% on food.
Where are groceries most expensive in the US? ›
1. California
At $297.72 per week on average, households in California spend more on groceries than any other state. HelpAdvisor also found that California features three out of the five most expensive cities in the US for grocery shopping.
How much do Californians pay for groceries? ›
What are the average grocery and food costs in California? According to a study by the United States Census Bureau, Californians pay more for their weekly groceries than any other state. The average American family spends around $270 a week on groceries, but Californians spend nearly $298 on a weekly basis.
Who has the highest grocery prices? ›
1. California
In California, the average weekly grocery spending is $297.72. Cities like Riverside and San Francisco are even higher at $300.50 and $298.44, respectively.
What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
Which country spends the most on groceries? ›
Israel is the top country by expenditure on food per capita in the world. As of 2022, expenditure on food per capita in Israel was 4,245.5 US dollars.
What country has the number 1 food? ›
Italy is the number one country having the best food in the world. It's difficult to talk about Italian food, it's easier to enjoy it.
What country has the most affordable food? ›
This study also determined which countries are the least expensive when compared to the U.S.:
- Pakistan: Groceries cost 72.9% less.
- Tunisia: 67% less.
- Ukraine: 66.7% less.
- Egypt: 65.6% less.
- Kosovo: 65.6% less.
Cheapest Foods to Live On:
- Oatmeal.
- Eggs.
- Bread.
- Rice.
- Bananas.
- Beans.
- Apples.
- Pasta.
If the pun didn't make it obvious, the most popular grocery store item is bananas. Apparently, Americans can't get enough of the number one best-selling grocery store food. The average American consumes around 90 of the potassium-filled fruit every year. This equates to roughly 27 pounds of bananas.
Who's cheaper, Walmart or Food Lion? ›
Price comparisons indicate that Walmart's prices are often lower by a small margin, which could result in significant savings over time. A family spending $250 weekly could save over $1,300 annually at Food Lion and potentially even more at Walmart.
Which state has the lowest cost of living? ›
West Virginia is the cheapest state to live in the US due to its low cost of living. This affordability is primarily driven by the state's low housing costs and other economic facilities. The median home price in West Virginia is $155,400, and the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $930 per month.
What is the most expensive state to live in? ›
1. Massachusetts Massachusetts is the most expensive state to live comfortably in. A single adult needs to make at least $116,022 annually to live well.
How much do you have to make to live comfortably in California? ›
While California ranks third-most expensive for a single adult to live comfortably at $113,652, it only ranks fifth-most expensive for two working adults raising two children. The total family income should be at least $276,724 in the latter case.
What is the average weekly grocery bill for 4 people? ›
The average cost of food at home for a family of four, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ranges from $567 to $1,296 per month, which comes out to approximately $130 to $300 per week.
What is a reasonable grocery budget? ›
By Household Size
According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.
Is $50 a week enough for groceries? ›
Planning out your meals so you use all of the ingredients, both raw and cooked, plus pantry staples and frozen goods means you can make a week's worth of dinners for around $50 in groceries.
What is the average budget for a family of 4? ›
Average Expenses for a Family of Four
According to the most recent data, U.S. households that consist of four people spent an average of $8,640 per month in 2022.
