How Much Does the Average Rich Person Spend on Groceries?

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Organic produce, imported delicacies, premium meats and rare seafood fished from remote coastal waters — it’s easy to assume these items are everyday grocery staples on the average rich person’s shopping list.

But do wealthy households actually spend that much more at the grocery store than everyone else? We crunched the numbers to find out, and the answer might surprise you. Here’s how much the average rich person spends on groceries.

First: How Much the Average American Spends on Groceries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average American spends about $6,053 per year, roughly $504 per month, on groceries, which the BLS categorizes as “food at home.” Wealthy households typically fall into the “liberal” food plan category, a measurement used to reflect higher grocery budgets. 

The liberal plan offers more variety, flexibility and convenience than thrifty, lower-cost and moderately priced plans, per the BLS.

For example, higher-budget shoppers may be more likely to splurge more often on certain luxuries, including buying premium products rather than sale items, using grocery delivery services like Instacart and shopping at higher-end retailers like Wegmans and gourmet food stores instead of Walmart or Aldi. 

Plus, they are more likely to dine out more frequently or hire a personal chef to do the shopping and cooking. Although the rich do spend more on groceries, the margins aren’t as dramatic as one might expect, according to the data.

How Much the Average Rich Household Spends on Groceries per Person

The following BLS data estimates grocery spending in the liberal category by household size:

• Single-person household: $501 to $569
• Two-person household: $981
• Family of four: $1,631

Research from the USDA further breaks down grocery spending by month and week, as well as by age and gender, with the highest grocery spending occurring between ages 20 and 50.

Grocery Spending for Young Children in Wealthy Households

The following data estimates grocery spending in the liberal food category for ages 1 to 11:

• Age 1: $219.40 monthly, or $50.60 weekly
• Age 2-3: $244.80 monthly, or $56.50 weekly
• Age 4-5: $259 monthly, or $59.80 weekly
• Age 6-8: $344.50 monthly, or $79.50 weekly
• Age 9-11: $395.20 monthly, or $91.20 weekly

Grocery Spending for Average Rich Male Households

Beginning at age 12, males increase their food intake as they grow into adulthood, reaching a peak between ages 20 and 50. At age 51, they begin to consume fewer groceries, and by age 71 and over, they spend the least on groceries. Here’s how grocery spending breaks down for males ages 12 to 71-plus on liberal food plans.

• Age 12-13: $448.40 monthly, or $103.50 weekly
• Age 14-19: $461.10 monthly, or $106.40 weekly
• Age 20-50: $474.10 monthly, or $109.40 weekly
• Age 51-70: $436.90 monthly, or $100.80 weekly
• Age 71 and older: $436.40 monthly, or $100.70 weekly

Grocery Spending for Average Rich Female Households

While grocery spending is also higher for females between the ages of 12 and 50, they spend less than males across all age groups:

• Age 12-13: $389.70 monthly, or $89.90 weekly
• Age 14-19: $388.90 monthly, or $89.80 weekly
• Age 20-50: $417.30 monthly, or $96.30 weekly
• Age 51-70: $387 monthly, or $89.30 weekly
• Age 71 and older: $383.10 monthly, or $88.40 weekly

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