20 US Cities That Spend the Most on Groceries Every Month

from GoBankingRates, Sat, October 5, 2024

Globally, the cost of food is on the rise. A few factors are contributing to spiking food prices, including geopolitical conflicts, a dramatic uptick in extreme weather events and a general increase in demand.

Making ends meet is tough, and millions of Americans are struggling to cover the rising cost of groceries. But not all Americans are quite as strapped by grocery costs as others.

In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of groceries from cities across the nation, finding those places that spend on this essential expense. Below are the 20 U.S. cities that spend the most on groceries, with the No. 1 city being that which spends the largest amount monthly on groceries.

20. Kihei, Hawaii

• Household median income: $89,892
• Total cost of living monthly: $10,977
• Livability score: 58
• Grocery cost of living index: 152.6
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $725.23

19. Kahului, Hawaii

• Household median income: $94,712
• Total cost of living monthly: $8,801
• Livability score: 72
• Grocery cost of living index: 152.6
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $725.23

18. Honokaa, Hawaii

• Household median income: $70,819
• Total cost of living monthly: $6,456
• Livability score: 65
• Grocery cost of living index: 152.9
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $726.66

17. Makawao, Hawaii

• Household median income: $109,385
• Total cost of living monthly: $9,184
• Livability score: 69
• Grocery cost of living index: 154.0
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $731.89

16. Captain Cook, Hawaii

• Household median income: $120,323
• Total cost of living monthly: $6,937
• Livability score: 56
• Grocery cost of living index: 155.2
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $737.59

15. Paia, Hawaii

• Household median income: $113,750
• Total cost of living monthly: $10,124
• Livability score: 64
• Grocery cost of living index: 156.5
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost:  $743.77

14. Kula, Hawaii

• Household median income: $93,452
• Total cost of living monthly: $10,806
• Livability score: 68
• Grocery cost of living index: 158.2
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $751.85

13. Ketchikan, Alaska

• Household median income: $73,512
• Total cost of living monthly: $4,844
• Livability score: 76
• Grocery cost of living index: 158.7
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost:  $754.22

12. Petersburg, Alaska

• Household median income: $77,670
• Total cost of living monthly: $4,087
• Livability score: 75
• Grocery cost of living index: 158.8
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $754.70

11. Holualoa, Hawaii

• Household median income: $90,385
• Total cost of living monthly: $9,298
• Livability score: 62
• Grocery cost of living index: 159.0
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $755.65

10. Kealakekua, Hawaii

• Household median income: $78,646
• Total cost of living monthly: $7,323
• Livability score: 56
• Grocery cost of living index: 159.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $756.12

9. Eleele, Hawaii

• Household median income: $107,734
• Total cost of living monthly: $7,635
• Livability score: 68
• Grocery cost of living index: 165.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $784.64

8. Lihue, Hawaii

• Household median income: $73,641
• Total cost of living monthly: $8,014
• Livability score: 64
• Grocery cost of living index: 165.3
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $785.59

7. Hanapepe, Hawaii

• Household median income: $88,385
• Total cost of living monthly: $7,391
• Livability score: 67
• Grocery cost of living index: 165.4
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $786.06

6. Kapaa, Hawaii

• Household median income: $87,895
• Total cost of living monthly: $8,524
• Livability score: 61
• Grocery cost of living index: 166.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $789.39

5. Kalaheo, Hawaii

• Household median income: $95,625
• Total cost of living monthly: $8,929
• Livability score: 62
• Grocery cost of living index: 167.8
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $797.47

4. Koloa, Hawaii

• Household median income: $72,143
• Total cost of living monthly: $10,363
• Livability score: 58
• Grocery cost of living index: 169.7
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $806.50

3. Princeville, Hawaii

• Household median income: $82,250
• Total cost of living monthly: $12,882
• Livability score: 68
• Grocery cost of living index: 171.3
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $814.10

2. Kilauea, Hawaii 

• Household median income: $85,227
• Total cost of living monthly: $12,519
• Livability score: 63
• Grocery cost of living index: 174.3
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $828.36

1. Hanalei, Hawaii

• Household median income: $97,292
• Total cost of living monthly: $28,406
• Livability score: 69
• Grocery cost of living index: 177.1
• Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $841.67

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 highest 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 US 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 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 most expensive to the cheapest grocery costs. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 30th, 2024.