Average Grocery Cost per Month: The 2025 Breakdown

The average grocery cost per month, per person, in the United States is roughly $350 for adults between 19 and 50 years old in a four-person household. This estimation depends on multiple factors, such as the number of people in your household, personal dietary restrictions and shopping habits. By examining these factors, you can better understand grocery costs and how to manage them effectively.

We’ll investigate the average grocery prices by household size and different regional areas within the United States — even your location can significantly impact the price you pay for groceries. Then, we’ll dive into tips on reducing your grocery bill with practices such as buying in bulk, managing a shopping list and purchasing food in season.

Factors affecting grocery costs

Factors such as household size, location and habits can affect your home’s overall grocery costs. Gleaning insights from this information will allow you to make more informed decisions that could help you save money on your next grocery order. You may not be able to control some factors, such as your location and inflation, but you can calculate your food budget more accurately.

The most common factors affecting grocery costs include:

• Dietary restrictions: If you have individuals with special diets, such as those requiring a vegan grocery list or those with gluten intolerance, your bill for specialty food items will likely increase since those products are typically more expensive.
• Household size: The more individuals within your household, the more food you’ll need to purchase and the more money you’ll spend on groceries. However, more individuals can lead to a lower per-person cost, according to the USDA.
• Inflation: This is a factor you can’t control, but being aware of its role and how inflation affects food costs can help you plan your shopping trip more efficiently.
• Location: Due to commerce and trade, your location plays a significant factor in the cost of food in your area. For example, rural locations have more direct access to produce, while urban areas tend to have higher labor costs.
• Shopping habits: Habits and personal tastes affect costs. As we’ll soon explore, you can save money by buying in bulk, using coupons and planning meals for your family.

Average grocery cost by household size

The average grocery cost by household size will increase with additional household members, so a four-person household will spend more than a two-person household. However, the price per person will decrease due to bulk purchasing and meal sharing — for example, a single adult female may spend $385 on groceries per month, but her cost will decrease to $320 in a four-person household.

We’ve assembled five example households for you to compare. Essential trends to understand include: Adults are more expensive than children, males are more expensive than females and older adults see a decrease in overall food costs. The five households are showcased among three different food budgets.

* Data obtained from USDA Monthly Cost of Food Reports (September 2024)

Regional grocery cost comparisons

The average cost of groceries can change depending on your region. As you move away from locations where food is produced, such as more rural farm areas or cities with packaging plants, the cost of food transport will increase. Living in a more rural or urban area can each have their food price trade-offs. For example, there is less competition in the country, but a higher cost of living in cities.

Due to the wide variation in pricing, we can’t simply say that those living in one area have lower food costs than those living in another. Here are nine states and their average monthly food costs based on their most populated city, showcasing the most expensive, least expensive and average options.

* Data obtained from Numbeo (September 2024)

How to reduce your grocery bill

Reducing the cost of your groceries can appear overwhelming and hopeless, but don’t fret — we’re here to help you grocery shop on a budget and make your dollar go farther. We’ll examine seven money-saving opportunities you have every time you order groceries.

• Buy in bulk: Consider stocking up on items in bulk. Many grocers offer discounts for bulk purchases, a great idea for shelf-stable or freezable items.
• Don’t shop hungry: You’ve heard it before, but don’t shop when your stomach growls. You’re more likely to buy food you don’t need.
• Stick to your list: Instacart lets you view your shopping cart with a tap while putting your order together, helping you know what to get at the grocery store and what you already have in your virtual basket.
• Plan your groceries: By planning your meals and shopping list, you can ensure you only purchase what you need, like for your next packed lunch, and it’s also a great way to eliminate food waste!
• Remember coupons: Coupons are still an excellent way to save money on groceries. You can shop for deals online through Instacart.
• Reuse those leftovers: You can reduce food costs by eating or repurposing leftover meals before they spoil. Consider batch-cooking large meals for a price-friendly option.
• Shop in season: Purchase foods in season for the best price and the freshest taste. For example, purchase apples in autumn and stone fruits in the summer. 

Grab it now on Instacart:

Land O Lakes Eggs, Organic, Large, Brown

Organic Valley Whole Milk

Barilla Classic Blue Box Pasta Spaghetti

Dave's Killer Bread Organic Good Seed Thin Sliced Bread

Fresh Bananas

Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper Mega Plus

Ben's Original Original Long Grain White Rice

Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Laundry Detergent, Original

Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels

Scotchgard Spot Remover, Carpet & Fabric, Oxy

Average grocery cost FAQ

If you have questions about average grocery costs, we’re here to help. Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions:

Order your groceries through Instacart

The average grocery cost per month can feel like a challenge for families looking to save on their food budget. When shopping through Instacart, the process is effortless and gives you more time to spend with your children and family. 

Explore the offers feature within the Instacart app and review the weekly flier to discover the savings waiting for your next shopping trip. Instacart and select stores support EBT, allowing individuals to pay for food using their SNAP benefits.

Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.