These States Have the Lowest Grocery Costs on Average

The average American spends $270.21 per week on groceries, though that number is lower for residents of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey data, with analysis from HelpAdvisor looked at the costs of food prepared and eaten at home for nearly 80,000 households from Oct. 18 to Oct. 30, 2023. Prices for goods and services have come down considerably in 2023 and 2024 following decades-high inflation, but shoppers in some areas are still feeling the sting of high prices on their grocery runs.

Key Takeaways

• Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska are among the states where residents spend the least on groceries.
• Grocery store prices can be impacted by the cost of living in a specific area.

The States With the Lowest Grocery Costs

Residents in some states pay less at the grocery store than average. Below are the 10 states with the lowest grocery costs according to HelpAdvisor’s analysis, plus how much the average shopper in each state spends per week.

• Wisconsin: $221.46
• Iowa: $227.32
• Nebraska: $235.12
• Michigan: $236.38
• Indiana: $239.11
• West Virginia: $239.24
• New Hampshire: $239.33
• Missouri: $244.43
• Delaware: $246.21
• Montana: $246.42

Locally grown or produced food is often available at a cheaper price because you don’t pay for long transportation costs.

What Drives Higher Grocery Bills?

The overall cost of living can drive food prices higher. That’s because supermarkets often pass on their costs, like rent, to the people in their area. Residents in California, for instance, pay the most at a weekly rate of $297.72.

Households with children spend more than average—$331.94 per week–as do homes with more than 2 people. That’s 41% more than grocery costs for households without kids. Four people in a household means an average of $315.22 per week spent on groceries.

The exact cause is unclear, but Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits pay 16% higher than households without–$306.50 in average weekly grocery bills. Meanwhile, households that receive benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program spend an average of $349.95 per week. And those homes that include a person with a disability report higher than average grocery costs.

The Bottom Line

Your grocery bill will vary depending on the cost of living in the city or state where you live. The exact makeup of your home can also impact it. Other than shopping sales, buying in bulk, and using coupons, you can potentially lower your grocery bill further by carefully reading your bill. Electronic scanners make the shopping experience faster, but they aren’t perfect. Check the receipt to make sure all the discounts you were counting on are properly registered.