Which U.S. States Have the Highest Grocery Costs and Why | Global News Avenue

The average American spends $270.21 per week on groceries, although residents of states such as California, Nevada and Mississippi spend even higher.

That’s according to HelpAdvisor’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey data, which covers the food prepared and eaten at home by nearly 80,000 households between October 18 and 30, 2023. Prices of goods and services to fall sharply in 2023 and 2024, following multi-decade highs inflationbut shoppers still Feel the sting of high prices in their grocery store run.

States with the highest grocery costs

How much you spend on everything from eggs to peanut butter depends on where you live. Here are the 10 highest-scoring states Grocery expensesand how much the average shopper spends each week in each state.

• 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, overall cost of living can push up food prices. Supermarkets pass costs onto the communities they serve. Add in factors such as green policies, high transport costs due to high fuel costs, tariffs and environmental conditions such as drought, and the costs can snowball.

No matter where you live, the more people you feed, the bigger your bill will be. The analysis found that families with children spent an average of $331.94 per week, 41% more than families without children. A family of four spends an average of $315.22 per week on groceries.

Cities with the highest grocery bills

Weekly grocery spending in America’s largest cities shows some differences between city 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

How to save money on groceries

Despite the higher price, there are some things you can do save food. Here are four tips Save money at the grocery store.

1. Go to the store with a plan

If you don’t have a list with you when you walk into the grocery store, it’s easy to put more in your cart than you need. Set one for yourself Budget During your shopping trip, make a list of the items you need and try to stick to only buying the items you list ahead of time.

2. Compare stores

While it’s easy to just shop at one grocery store, being flexible about where you shop can pay dividends. Different stores may offer lower prices. Search online for discounts and store by store to find the best deals.

3. Buy in bulk

Bulk purchase Can help you save money. Large retailers such as costco Sam’s Club offers bulk products at low prices. This can save you money if you use everything up compared to buying everything individually or in smaller quantities. But please remember, Buying in bulk may come with hidden costs.

4. Find alternatives

Sometimes you can swap out one ingredient for another less expensive ingredient. If you find that certain items are particularly expensive, research what you can substitute. If you’re shopping and see an item on sale, check your list to see if there’s a more expensive item you could replace with a discounted item.

bottom line

Depending on which state you live in, you may pay more at the grocery store than others elsewhere in the country. But sticking to your shopping plan and being flexible when necessary can help you spend less. Try these tips and then track your spending every week. You might be surprised at how much money you save.