20 US Cities That Spend the Least on Groceries Every Month

All over the world, the cost of food is soaring due to a few reasons, including, but not limited to, geopolitical conflicts, a spike in extreme weather events and an overall rise in demand. Millions of Americans are struggling to put enough food on the table and are cutting all possible corners to cover this essential expense.

Though the soaring cost of food is a global problem, certain U.S. cities are spending less on groceries than others. In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of groceries from cities across the nation, finding those places that spend the least on this category.

Below are the 20 U.S. cities that spend the least on groceries, from the city that spends most to the city that spends the smallest amount monthly on groceries.

• Household median income: $44,701  
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,367 
• Livability score: 67 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.2
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $414.42

• Household median income: $27,969 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,752 
• Livability score: 55 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94    

• Household median income: $24,539 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,351 
• Livability score: 64 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94

• Household median income: $35,221 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,231 
• Livability score: 59 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94

• Household median income: $41,555 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,233 
• Livability score: 62 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94 

• Household median income: $49,211  
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,277 
• Livability score: 62 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94 

• Household median income: $57,250  
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,335 
• Livability score: 67 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47 

• Household median income: $46,339  
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,152 
• Livability score: 60 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47 

• Household median income: $48,962 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,315 
• Livability score: 66 
• Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47

• Household median income: $50,580 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,307
• Livability score: 64
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.9
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $412.99 

• Household median income: $44,922 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,404  
• Livability score: 67
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.6
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.57 

• Household median income: $47,083 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,308 
• Livability score: 63
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.5
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.09 

• Household median income: $27,868 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,351 
• Livability score: 66
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.5
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.09 

• Household median income: $37,604 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,249 
• Livability score: 68
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.4
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $410.62 

• Household median income: $46,250 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,532
• Livability score: 69
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.3
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $410.14

• Household median income: $32,697 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,504 
• Livability score: 59
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.2
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.67

• Household median income: $30,344 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,310 
• Livability score: 68
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.2
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.67

• Household median income: $49,643 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,714 
• Livability score: 46
• Grocery cost of living index: 86.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.19

• Household median income: $25,614 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,206 
• Livability score: 64
• Grocery cost of living index: 85.8
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $407.76

• Household median income: $38,750 
• Total cost of living monthly: $2,189 
• Livability score: 44
• Grocery cost of living index: 85.7
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $407.29 

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of groceries from cities across the United States. First, GOBankingRates found the cost-of-living indexes from Sperling’s BestPlaces. The cities with the lowest 150 food cost-of-living indexes with all cost-of-living indexes available were kept for this study. For each city, a number of factors were found, including: total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. Using the cost-of-living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The average single family home value was sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the total cost of living can be calculated. The grocery cost-of-living index, as well as the monthly and annual grocery expenditure costs, were used to rank the cities from the cheapest to the most expensive grocery costs. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 30, 2024.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.