How Much Should I Budget for Groceries Each Month?

Groceries are one of those things we all need. They’re also an expense that can quickly add up and get your household budget off track if you’re not careful.

We have good news. With some simple calculations and strategic spending, grocery shopping on a budget is within reach. We’ve rounded up some recommendations on how much to spend on groceries each month, along with some quick tips to help keep your grocery budget in check.

The average cost of groceries per month

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), your monthly grocery budget is dependent on the following factors:

• The number of people in your household
• The age and gender of each person
• Your monthly household budget

(If you don’t have a budget, or need help creating one, this guide on how to create a budget for the first time can help.)

The USDA's food plan cost guide offers a suggested grocery budget for three spending levels: low, moderate and liberal. Here are some general guidelines – from lowest to highest (“liberal”) – based on the government agency’s 2022 recommendations:

Average grocery bill for 1 person
If you’re a single adult, depending on your age and sex (the USDA estimates are higher for men and lower for both women and men 71 and older), look to spend between $229 and $419 each month on groceries.

Average grocery bill for 2 people
For a two-adult household, the figure above will double: $458 to $838. The average cost for groceries per month can go down a bit for adult-plus-child households.

Numbers vary widely depending on a child’s age and household budget. With that in mind, for one child between 1 and 11 years old, expect to add $143 to $357 every month. For one male child between 12 and 18, add $272 - $406. For one female child between 12 and 18, add $233 to $344 per month.

Average grocery bill for a family of 4
If you’re really looking to cut corners, the USDA’s “thrifty” food plan is the gold standard of budget-friendly grocery spending. According to that plan, a family of four – defined as an adult couple between 20 and 50 years old, and two children ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 – should plan to spend around $887 per month.

What is a realistic grocery budget for one?

The USDA estimates that the average monthly grocery bill for one is between $229 and $419. Whether that’s realistic for your household is entirely up to you, especially since it’s based on preparing all meals and snacks at home.

That said, when determining a food budget for one, be sure to factor in things like takeout, meal subscriptions, grocery delivery and restaurant meals, which can add a significant amount to monthly spending.

How do I make my monthly grocery budget?

Create your grocery budget according to what you need. Figuring that out starts with a plan. A good strategy is to map out meals and snacks based on what’s on sale, then make a grocery list and stick to it. This will also help you avoid depending on takeout meals, which can get pricey.

Determining essentials requires separating wants from needs, a cornerstone of budgeting basics. For example, you may want that pricier cut of meat, but do you really need it? Probably not. The same goes for name-brand foods. You may want a name brand, but a generic brand may get the job done – and taste just as good – for way less.

Tips for grocery shopping on a budget

Although the USDA numbers vary widely, they may spark the realization that you’re spending too much on groceries. How do you scale back? Here are some quick tips:

• Plan ahead
  Grocery shopping with a plan will keep your spending down. Build a shopping list by planning out your meals and shop based on your favorite stores’ weekly sales. (For additional tips, check out this quick video on how to feed your family healthy food on a budget.)

• Avoid impulse buys
  Impulse buys are budget busters. Stick to your grocery list and heed the warnings when it comes to shopping when you’re hungry. Studies prove you’ll not only spend more,¹ you’ll buy higher-calorie foods,² too.

• Save with discount apps
  Discount apps are the new Sunday coupons. They’re free, paperless, easy to use and some even give cash back.

• Budget for grocery delivery fees
  If you opt for grocery delivery, factor in service fees and tips. Before you swear off the service altogether, weigh the fees against what it’s saving you. It’s likely getting your groceries delivered helps you avoid impulse buys. Plus, shopping at home gives time to comparison shop and fill your cart with meal-planning ingredients.

• Take a closer look at meal kit services
  If you subscribe to meal kits, crunch some numbers to figure out if they’re worth it. If they help you avoid meals out, that can be a major plus. And, since ingredients are proportioned, they can also prevent you from buying more than you need.

Need help budgeting? Our free budget calculator can help you figure out where your money is going each month.

A little planning goes a long way

Food shopping on a budget can be an intimidating venture at first, especially if you’re used to freewheeling it at the grocery store. But a little planning goes a long way. Now that you know how much to budget for groceries, start employing some of these easy ways to save. You’ll be a pro in no time.

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1. Ashford, Kate. “Shopping Hungry? You'll Spend More (Even If You're Not Buying Food).” Forbes.com. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateashford/2015/02/25/shopping-hungry. (Accessed Nov. 5, 2020).
2. Pittman, Genevra. “No, really - don't shop when you're hungry: study.” Reuters.com. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shop-hungry/no-really-dont-shop-when-youre-hungry-study-idUSBRE9450TF20130506 (Accessed Nov. 5, 2020).

This article has been updated from a previous posting on Nov. 24, 2020.