How Much Money Do You Need For Food Per Month

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

The good news is that, 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 four spending levels: thrifty, low-cost, moderate and liberal. Here are some general guidelines – from lowest spending level ("thrifty") to highest ("liberal") – based on the government agency's recommendations* for common household sizes:

Average grocery bill for 1 If you're a single adult, depending on your household budget, look to spend between $175 and $345 each month on groceries.

Average grocery bill for 2 For a two-adult household, the figure above will double: $350 to $690. The number goes down a bit for adult-plus-child households. For one adult and one child between 1 and 11 years old, budget for roughly $300 to $590 each month. Add $50 to $100 more ($350 to $690) for a child between 12 and 18.

Average grocery bill for family of 4 Depending on your budget, grocery spending for a family of four can require penny pinching and careful planning. Families with two adults and two children between 2 and 5 years old can expect to spend between about $590 and $1,150 each month. For households with two adults and two children between 6 and 11 years old, the number increases to $675 to $1,340.

*These numbers represent an average of the USDA recommendations. For more detailed information, including low-cost and moderate plans, visit the USDA food plan cost guide.

Tips for grocery shopping on a budget

Although the numbers above vary widely, they may spark the realization that you're spending too much on groceries. And if you are, you're not alone. It's estimated that Americans are spending up to 13% of their household income on food, which, at an average of $660 per person, can add up to a whopping $8,000 every year.¹

So how do you scale back? Here are some quick tips.

Plan ahead
Going to the grocery store with a plan is the best way to keep your spending down. Build a grocery 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
One of the fastest ways to bust your grocery budget is impulse buys. 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,² you'll buy higher-calorie foods,³ too.
Save with discount apps
Discount apps are the new Sunday coupons. They're free (and paperless!), easy to use and some even give cash back. We've rounded up some crowd favorites here.
Budget for grocery delivery fees
If you opt for grocery delivery, don't forget to factor in service fees and tips. Before you swear off the service altogether, weigh the fees against how much it may actually be saving you. It's likely getting your groceries delivered helps you avoid impulse buys, plus you get 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, especially if you're used to freewheeling it at the grocery store. But a little planning goes a long way. Once you know how much to budget for groceries, and start employing some easy ways to save, you'll be a pro in no time.

1. Bieber, Christy. "Average food spending tops 10% of income. Here's how to save money and still eat well." USAToday.com. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/05/01/average-food-spending-save-money/111623736/ (Accessed Nov. 2, 2020).
2. 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).
3. 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).

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