What is the Average Grocery Cost Per Month?

How Much Should I Spend on Groceries?

Figuring out how much to spend on food can feel overwhelming. Let's break down average costs and learn simple strategies to help you stretch your budget further.

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Edited by other Updated Jun 18, 2026 What is the average cost of groceries per month? What drives your grocery spending? How much should you spend on groceries each month? Tips for grocery savings 8 Ways to Track Monthly Expenses Free Budget Spreadsheets and Tools Game Apps That Pay Real Money: Truth, Not Hype How to Budget Money in 5 Steps Prices in the grocery store can be shocking these days. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet senior economist, says don't expect that to change anytime soon. "Higher and higher gas and food prices impact households in a dramatic way — these are things we can’t easily cut out of our budgets, or even reduce," Renter says. The cost of groceries, classified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as “food at home,” increased 2.7% year over year in May . What can you do? How much should you spend? How can you save? We have some ideas.

What is the average cost of groceries per month?

The latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the average family of four spends $1,013.20 per month on groceries. That's more than $12,000 per year. This family, on the USDA's thrifty plan, includes two adults between the ages of 20 and 50 and two children, ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 years old. The USDA has four plans, which start at the thrifty and move to low-cost, moderate and liberal plans. So families on the cheapest plan still spend over $10,000 a year on groceries. » Learn why groceries are so expensive » Learn

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What drives your grocery spending?

Knowing what factors influence your grocery budget might help you make more informed decisions about your spending. Household size: Larger families tend to spend more on groceries each month. The one upside? Big families can buy in bulk to lower per-person costs. Household size: Location and accessibility: Where you live can affect grocery prices. Even in the same city, prices and product selection can vary widely by ZIP code. Living near discount grocers or warehouse stores can also affect what you spend. Location and accessibility: Dietary restrictions: Prepare to spend more at the store if you need specialized products. They often cost more, and have fewer discounts and promotions. Dietary restrictions: Shopping habits: Smart shopping habits, like meal planning, making a list and using coupons, can significantly lower grocery costs. Shopping habits: In-store or online shopping preferences: Shopping for groceries online could help you save. You could limit impulse buys, track your total in real time, and compare prices easily. In-store or online shopping preferences: » RELATED: How to save money on gas » RELATED:

How much should you spend on groceries each month?

Not sure where to start? Here are a few guidelines you can use to come up with a number.

Create a grocery budget

One way to figure out how much you can spend on groceries is to see where they fit into your overall budget. The 50/30/20 budget suggests spending 50% of your monthly take-home pay on needs (including groceries), 30% on wants and 20% on savings and debt repayment. Think of this as a guideline, not a strict rule. Start by adding up your essential bills — housing costs, utilities, insurance, childcare and transportation. Whatever is left in the “needs” category can realistically be put toward groceries. If that number feels tight, adjust spending in your “wants” category” or look for ways to reduce your grocery costs. » MORE: How to choose the right budget system » MORE:

Tips for grocery savings

If you find that you’re struggling to fit food costs into your budget month after month, it might be time to look for long-term ways to save money on groceries. Start with these simple strategies: Look in your refrigerator and pantry before making a list. Some grocery list apps, such as Out of Milk, have a pantry inventory feature to prevent you from buying duplicates. Find discount grocery chains in your area, such as Aldi or Grocery Outlet, to save on your staples. Embrace store brands. Swapping even a few key items could lead to savings. Shop seasonally to get the freshest produce at the lowest prices. Join store loyalty programs to earn rewards and get deals. Explore ways to find coupons, through rewards programs, apps and other opportunities. Plan a “pantry week” where you try to make as many meals as you can with what’s at home. You can reduce food waste, stretch your budget and get creative in the kitchen. Revisit your grocery budget every month and adjust as needed. If you feel like careful budgeting and penny-pinching aren’t enough and you need help paying bills, look into local resources such as food banks and government assistance programs. » VIDEO: 6 strategic ways to save on groceries. » VIDEO Explore more on Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index Summary. Accessed Jun 18, 2026. About the authors Schwahn Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies. She contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press and managed a team of writers producing content for the series. Her work has also been featured by USA Today, MSN, The Washington Post and more. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is based in San Francisco. Published in Barroso Amanda Barroso, Ph.D., is a writer and content strategist helping consumers navigate budgeting, credit building and credit scoring. Before joining NerdWallet, Amanda wrote about demographic trends at the Pew Research Center and earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her work has been featured by the Associated Press, Washington Post and Yahoo Finance. Published in What is a budget? A simple guide to getting started By Lauren Schwahn, Amanda Barroso Needs vs. Wants: How to Budget for Both By Lisa Mulka How to Budget Money in 5 Steps By Amanda Barroso, Lauren Schwahn Sinking Funds: The Secret to Stress-Free Expenses By Amanda Barroso What Is My Net Income? By Lisa Mulka