According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the average single person can spend from $243.17-$397.75 per month on groceries. Many factors will impact a given individual’s expenses, such as location and eating style.
Nevertheless, looking at averages across the country can help you determine whether they’re within the range of others in your region, age bracket, and household size. Learn more here, including advice on trimming your grocery budget.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Grocery costs vary widely based on location, household size, and personal eating habits.
• Inflation has increased food prices in recent years, putting additional pressure on household budgets.
• Regional cost differences can significantly impact how much a person spends on groceries each month.
• Dining out can raise overall food expenses and should be factored into a monthly budget.
• Planning meals, shopping strategically, and avoiding impulse purchases can help lower grocery bills.
Grocery Bills and Inflation
Inflation can have a big effect on grocery prices, making it harder to stay within your budget and reduce your bill. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Economic Research Service, food prices rose by 5.8% in 2023 and 2.3% in 2024.
That’s not a negligible number, but compared to the 10.8% increase in food prices for home consumption between April 2021 and April 2022, it’s somewhat less challenging. That staggering increase was partly due to inflation and partly due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Average Monthly Grocery Budget Bill for One Person or More
Several factors determine how much a person might spend on groceries each month. These include age, gender, household size, and monthly budget. Another major factor is where you live. Some areas have much more expensive food than others.
The most expensive state for groceries is Hawaii, where the monthly average grocery bill was $628 in 2025. The least expensive state was Arkansas, with an average price of $444, according to Visual Capitalist. As you see, the cost of living can really make a difference. Other expensive states include Alaska, California, and Washington, while less expensive states include Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas.
In addition to groceries, your overall monthly food bill can include any snacks and meals eaten out. The averages below are based on an individual or family cooking all their meals and snacks at home. They don’t include meals eaten out. These averages are based on foods that many people commonly purchase, such as eggs, dairy, meat, bread, and produce.
Here are some numbers from a recent BLS report:
| Family Size | Average Grocery Bill |
|---|---|
| 1 | For a single person, the average grocery bill can range, depending on age and gender, from $243.17-$397.75. |
| 2 | For a household with two people, the average grocery bill is $5,917 a year, or $493.08 per month. |
| 3 | For a household of three people, the average grocery bill is $7,476 a year, or $623 per month. |
| 4 | For a household of four people, the average grocery bill is $8,665 a year, or $722.08 per month. |
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Buying Groceries vs Dining Out
It’s up to each individual and family to decide how often to eat out and how much to spend at restaurants. In general, eating out tends to cost more than cooking at home, so it’s a good idea to track your spending and budget accordingly.
Recent BLS data suggests the average American spends as much as $328.75 a month on food outside the home, which is a significant number when budgeting. That doesn’t mean it’s the right number — it’s just an average.
Many financial experts suggest that food costs (meaning groceries and food outside the home) should account for no more than 10-15% of your take-home pay, regardless of the type of budget method you use.
Recommended: Grocery Budget Calculator with Examples
9 Tips for Reducing Your Grocery Bill
Looking at the average grocery bills above might make you start to think you’re spending too much on groceries, if you didn’t already feel that way. Here are a few tips for lowering your monthly grocery bill.
1. Make a Budget and Plan Ahead
Allocating funds for groceries in a monthly budget planner and planning what to buy can help reduce your grocery bill. Meal planning and shopping lists can help you stick to your budget.
2. Look for Discounts and Sales
Many discount apps and coupons are available for those who are grocery shopping on a budget. They are free and can help reduce your grocery bill. However, some coupons can be tricky and actually cause additional spending. For example, they may ask you to purchase two or more of an item to get the discount, or they may encourage you to buy an item you wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. Some stores also have sales, especially after a big holiday, so those can be good days to go shopping.
3. Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach
Avoiding impulse buying is another way to reduce your grocery bill. Studies have shown that shopping on an empty stomach leads shoppers to spend more and buy high-calorie foods that may be less healthy.
4. Consider Meal Kits
Although meal kit services may appear expensive, and some are, if they reduce the amount that you eat out at restaurants or spend on groceries, that is beneficial. Meal kits provide pre-portioned meals, so they prevent buying extra ingredients that go to waste.
5. Pay Attention to Delivery Fees
Having groceries delivered can be a great way to save time, and since it can help with sticking to a plan and grocery list, it can also help prevent impulse buys. However, delivery fees and tips can add up, so it’s important to factor those into your monthly budget.
6. Shop at a Different Store
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of shopping at a certain grocery store out of convenience or because it offers food you like. However, if that store has higher prices, it’s worth considering going to a different store for some or all of your groceries.
7. Create a Routine
Another way to stay on top of grocery budgeting is to create routines. This can help you stick to a shopping list and ensure you don’t purchase extra food. Habits like these can help you avoid impulse buying and wasting food.
8. Buy Generic Brands Instead of Name Brands
Many stores carry their own food brands that are cheaper than big-name brands. These items are very similar in taste and quality but have lower price points. This is also true of wholesale clubs, further increasing how much you can save.
9. Shop More Often
It may seem surprising, but going to the grocery store more often can help you spend less than when you go on mega runs. This is because it’s easier to decide what to eat in the next few days rather than the next couple of weeks, avoiding food waste.
Recommended: Building a Line Item Budget
The Takeaway
Since grocery spending is more flexible than rent and other bills, cutting back on groceries can be a great way to save. If you’re looking to create a budget, set savings goals, or pay off your debts, you might benefit from a money tracker tool.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.
FAQ
How much should you spend on groceries a week?
According to the USDA’s food plans, a couple can spend from $617-$981 per month, depending on the food plan they follow, ranging from Thrifty to Liberal. That translates to roughly $154 to $245 a week.
What is the average monthly cost of groceries?
One recent study put the average monthly cost of groceries at about $518.67, but this depends on household size, household member ages, location, and eating style.
What are examples of popular discount grocery stores?
Popular discount grocery stores include Walmart, Costco, Grocery Outlet, Aldi, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s.
How does inflation affect grocery prices?
Inflation can increase the cost of groceries and make it harder to stay within a budget. Food prices rose by 5.8% 2023 and 2.3% in 2024, following a larger 10.8% increase the previous year.
How can you reduce your monthly grocery bill?
You can create a budget, plan meals, use shopping lists, look for discounts, buy generic brands, compare store prices, and avoid impulse purchases.
Photo credit: iStock/andresr
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