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

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

That is in line with 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 companies have come down significantly in 2023 and 2024 following decades-high inflation, however customers 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 all the pieces from eggs to peanut butter is determined by the place you reside. Under 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 value of residing can drive meals costs larger. Supermarkets cross on their prices to the communities they serve. When mixed with elements comparable to inexperienced insurance policies, excessive transportation prices from excessive gasoline prices, tariffs, and environmental circumstances comparable 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 youngsters spend a mean of $331.94 per week–41% greater than households with out youngsters. 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

Tips on how to Save on Groceries

Regardless of excessive costs, there are steps you’ll be able to 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

In the event you stroll into the grocery retailer with no record, it is simple to throw greater than you want into your cart. Set your self a funds for the procuring journey, make an inventory of the objects you want, and attempt to stick to buying solely what you’ve got outlined forward of time.

2. Evaluate Shops

Whereas it is simple to stay to at least one grocery retailer for your entire procuring, being versatile about the place you store can repay. Totally different shops might supply decrease costs. Search on-line for reductions and go from retailer to retailer to search out one of the best costs.

3. Purchase in Bulk

Buying in bulk may help prevent cash. Massive-box retailers like Costco and Sam’s Membership supply low costs for bulk merchandise. In the event you use all the pieces up, this might prevent cash, in comparison with shopping for all the pieces individually or in smaller portions. However bear in mind, shopping for in bulk can include hidden prices.

4. Discover Alternate options

Generally you’ll be able to swap out one ingredient for an additional inexpensive one. In the event you discover that sure objects are significantly dear, analysis what you could possibly use in its place. In the event you see an merchandise on sale whereas procuring, examine your record to see if there are costlier objects you could possibly change with the discounted product.

The Backside Line

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