Which U.S. States Have the Highest Grocery Prices and Why

The common American spends $270.21 per week on groceries, although that quantity is larger for residents of states like California, Nevada, and Mississippi.

That is based on an evaluation by HelpAdvisor of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Family Pulse Survey information, which covers meals ready and eaten at dwelling for almost 80,000 households from Oct. 18 to Oct. 30, 2023. Costs for items and providers have come down significantly in 2023 and 2024 following decades-high inflation, however consumers are nonetheless feeling the sting of excessive costs on their grocery runs.

The States With the Highest Grocery Prices

The quantity you shell out for every thing from eggs to peanut butter is dependent upon the place you reside. Beneath are the ten states with the best grocery prices, in addition to how a lot the typical shopper in every state spends per week.

• California: $297.72
• Nevada: $294.76
• Mississippi: $290.64
• Washington: $287.67
• Florida: $287.27
• New Mexico: $286.39
• Texas: $286.19
• Louisiana: $282.95
• Colorado: $279.98
• Oklahoma: $279.16

In California, the general price of residing can drive meals costs larger. Supermarkets cross on their prices to the communities they serve. When mixed with elements corresponding to inexperienced insurance policies, excessive transportation prices from excessive gas prices, tariffs, and environmental circumstances corresponding to droughts, the prices can snowball.

Regardless of the place you reside, the extra folks you feed, the larger your payments. The evaluation discovered that households with kids spend a mean of $331.94 per week–41% greater than households with out kids. A four-person family spends a mean of $315.22 per week on groceries.

Cities With Highest Grocery Payments

Weekly grocery spending for the most important U.S. cities confirmed some disparities between metropolis and state spending.

1. Miami: $327.89
2. Houston: $302.65
3. Riverside, California: $300.50
4. San Francisco: $298.44
5. Los Angeles: $295.33
6. Seattle: $289.23
7. New York: $282.60
8. Dallas: $282.21
9. Chicago: $278.91
10. Atlanta: $277.54

Save on Groceries

Regardless of excessive costs, there are steps you may take to save on meals. Listed here are 4 ideas for saving cash on the grocery retailer.

1. Go to the Retailer With a Plan

When you stroll into the grocery retailer with out a checklist, it is easy to throw greater than you want into your cart. Set your self a finances for the procuring journey, make a listing of the gadgets you want, and attempt to stick to buying solely what you’ve got outlined forward of time.

2. Evaluate Shops

Whereas it is easy to stay to at least one grocery retailer for all your procuring, being versatile about the place you store can repay. Completely different shops could supply decrease costs. Search on-line for reductions and go from retailer to retailer to seek out the most effective costs.

3. Purchase in Bulk

Buying in bulk might help prevent cash. Huge-box retailers like Costco and Sam’s Membership supply low costs for bulk merchandise. When you use every thing up, this might prevent cash, in comparison with shopping for every thing individually or in smaller portions. However bear in mind, shopping for in bulk can include hidden prices.

4. Discover Options

Typically you may swap out one ingredient for one more inexpensive one. When you discover that sure gadgets are notably expensive, analysis what you would use instead. When you see an merchandise on sale whereas procuring, test your checklist to see if there are dearer gadgets you would exchange with the discounted product.

The Backside Line

Relying on the state you reside in, it’s possible you’ll be paying extra on the grocery retailer than others throughout the nation. However sticking to your procuring plan—and being versatile when vital—might help you spend much less. Check out the following tips, then monitor your spending week-to-week. You simply could also be stunned at how a lot you are saving.