How to save time when shopping for groceries
Cut your grocery shopping time in half with these tips.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
All Americans are experiencing higher grocery prices at the checkout counter. Everyday necessities like beef, coffee, and fresh produce are becoming increasingly burdensome for families due to issues beyond their control, such as inflation, tariffs, and the weather.
But depending on where you live, some people may be on a tighter budget than others.
A new WalletHub study released on February 12th found that people living in some of the poorest states tend to spend the most on basic food necessities. The study looked at the impact of grocery costs on American households in all 50 states and analyzed 26 common grocery items, including meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, frozen foods, and detergents. We added up their expenses and compared them to the state’s median household income to see where people were spending the most.
States with the highest percentage of median monthly household income spent on groceries:
- Mississippi 2.60%
- West Virginia 2.54%
- Arkansas 2.44%
- Louisiana 2.38%
- Kentucky 2.37%
- Alabama 2.33%
- New Mexico 2.30%
- Oklahoma 2.22%
- South Carolina 2.21%
- Tennessee 2.19%
“Grocery affordability isn’t just about the price of the products on the shelf, it’s also about how those prices compare to people’s incomes,” says Wallethub writer and analyst Chip Lupo. “States like Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas actually have relatively low food prices overall, but they also have some of the lowest median household incomes in the nation, so their residents end up spending the largest percentage of their income on food—2.6 percent of their monthly income in Mississippi.”
“In contrast, residents in high-income states like Massachusetts and New Jersey spend only about 1.5% of their income on groceries. With grocery prices up nearly 30% since 2019 and income growth slowing, households in low-income states are feeling the greatest burden, making careful budgeting and smart shopping more important than ever.”
States with the lowest percentage of median monthly household income spent on groceries:
41. California 1.66%
42. Washington 1.66%
43. Virginia 1.63%
44. Colorado 1.61%
45. Connecticut 1.61
46. Utah 1.58%
47. New Hampshire 1.56%
48. Maryland 1.55%
49. New Jersey 1.51%
50. Massachusetts 1.51%
spend more and buy less
By 2026, many Americans, especially those with low incomes, may need to buy fewer items and spend more on essentials.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Survey Food Price Index, “In 2026, all food prices are projected to increase by 3.0%, with a forecast interval of 0.3% to 5.9%. Meanwhile, household food (grocery and supermarket) prices are projected to increase by 1.7%, with a forecast interval of -2.3% to 6.0%.”
There are several main factors that cause supermarket prices to rise.
“The main drivers of food prices are the labor and material costs of each product and the services involved in retail sales,” said William Masters, a food economist and professor at Tufts University in Massachusetts. “Over the past year, tariffs have increased the cost of materials, and the deportation of workers has increased labor costs, especially for the low-wage work of recent immigrants. Most Americans’ wages have not risen as much as prices, so their purchasing power has declined.”
Reduced purchasing power forces families to prioritize necessities, often cutting back on healthier, fresh produce in favor of cheaper processed goods. In addition, supply chain disruptions and higher transportation costs will further exacerbate price increases. All these factors make it difficult for low-income households in particular to maintain adequate nutrition and food security.
5 easy ways to save money at the supermarket
No matter where you live, everyone can benefit from these tips for saving money at the supermarket. Masters spoke to USA TODAY about her grocery-saving strategies.
- Create a shopping list and stick to it.
- Browse Warehouse Retail Stores – Stores like Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club sell large quantities of fresh and frozen foods and cleaning supplies at deep discounts.
- Buy store brands.
- Look for sale items in our weekly in-store circular.
- Before you buy more items at the store, plan your meals using what you have in your fridge and freezer.
