Average Grocery Cost in 2026
The average American spends $346 to $543 per month on groceries. See what households your size actually spend and find out if you're over or under the average.
Adults
Ages 19–50
Seniors
Ages 51+, slightly lower food costs
Teens
Ages 12–19, similar cost to adults
Children
Ages 3–11, roughly half adult cost
Infants
Ages 0–2, formula & baby food
Estimated Monthly Grocery Cost
$702
$162/week · $234/person · $8,424/year
Households like yours typically overspend this estimate by $80 to $150/month, spread across 3 to 5 stores in ways that don't show up when you add up bank transactions.
Turn smart shopping into a savings goalWhere do you think your household overspends?
Where the average goes
Average distribution. Your actual split may look different.
Key Statistics: Average Grocery Spending in 2026
The headline numbers on average US, Canadian, and Australian grocery spending, compiled from USDA Official Food Plans, Statistics Canada household food expenditure data, and ABS Household Expenditure Survey.
- National average per person (US, 2026): about $438/month, within a typical range of $346 to $543/month, or roughly $80 to $125 per week.
- Family of four (US, 2026): about $1,374/month on average, with most households landing between $1,028 and $1,662/month depending on diet and region.
- Canada vs. US: grocery costs are nearly identical at typical spending levels. A single adult averages about $445/month in Canada versus $438/month in the US. Differences within a country (region, store, diet) tend to be larger than the gap between the two countries.
- Year-over-year change: US food-at-home prices rose about 2 to 3% from 2025 to 2026, a sharp slowdown from the roughly 25% cumulative increase between 2020 and 2024.
- Share of income: The typical US household spends 10 to 15% of take-home pay on groceries; anything above 20% usually signals room to trim waste or convenience items.
Average Monthly Grocery Cost Per Person in 2026
The average American spends $346 to $543 per month on groceries in 2026, depending on diet and shopping habits. That works out to $80 to $125 per week. Below is a breakdown by household size so you can compare your spending to the national average.
| Household Size | Monthly (Low) | Monthly (Avg) | Monthly (High) | Weekly (Avg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $346 | $438 | $543 | $101 |
| 2 people | $633 | $802 | $997 | $185 |
| Family of 3 | $826 | $1,082 | $1,322 | $250 |
| Family of 4 | $1,028 | $1,374 | $1,662 | $317 |
| Family of 5+ | $1,156 | $1,513 | $1,831 | $349 |
Average Weekly Grocery Cost for One Person in the US
A single person in the United States spends $80 to $125 per week on groceries in 2026, depending on whether they follow a thrifty or liberal spending plan. Those on the USDA's thrifty plan spend closer to $80 per week, while those buying more organic, specialty, or convenience items land near $125. These figures are based on USDA food plan cost reports, adjusted for 2026 inflation.
Average Grocery Bill for a Family of 4 in 2026
A family of four in the US can expect to spend $1,028 to $1,662 per month on groceries, or roughly $237 to $384 per week. The wide range reflects differences in dietary preferences, regional pricing, and whether the household leans toward budget-friendly staples or premium products.
Use the calculator above to get a more specific estimate for your exact household composition, country, and spending style.
What's next
You know the average.
Do you know your actual?
The range above tells you what households like yours spend. Groceries Tracker tells you what you spend, broken down by category, store, and label.
Photograph a receipt and every item is categorized instantly. No manual entry.
See by category
Find out how much you actually spend on meat, snacks, produce, and everything else.
Track over time
Monthly trends show when your spending creeps up, and in which categories.
Want to set a target budget instead? Try our Grocery Budget Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources
- USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food Reports (Monthly) - fns.usda.gov
- Statistics Canada: Average Household Food Expenditure - statcan.gc.ca
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Household Expenditure Survey - abs.gov.au
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Consumer Price Index (Food) - abs.gov.au
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Consumer Expenditure Survey - bls.gov
- USDA Economic Research Service: Food Prices and Spending - ers.usda.gov
- Statista: Average U.S. Household Food Spending - statista.com
Average grocery costs are compiled from USDA food cost reports, Statistics Canada household spending surveys, the Australian Bureau of Statistics Household Expenditure Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer expenditure data, and verified third-party grocery spending research. Ranges reflect typical spending patterns across different shopping styles (budget, moderate, premium) and regional price variations. All values are adjusted for current food inflation. Individual spending varies based on diet, location, store choice, and shopping habits.