Grocery bills in America: Here are the most and least expensive cities

[mystery-ak]

Grocery bills in America: Here are the most and least expensive cities
Hardest-hit households mainly in Midwest, South, says new study
By Deirdre Bardolf Fox News
Published October 23, 2025 8:00am EDT

Americans in some cities are spending nearly four times more of their income on groceries than others, a new analysis shows, with the hardest-hit households mainly in the Midwest and South.

Residents of Detroit spend the largest share of their income on groceries — nearly 3.8% — followed closely by Cleveland and Birmingham, Alabama, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub. At the other end of the spectrum, residents in Fremont, California, spend less than 1%.

"In the cities where people spend the most money on groceries, residents often have low incomes on top of seeing high sticker prices on common grocery items," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub writer and analyst.

Detroit and Cleveland have some of the lowest median household incomes in the country — $39,575 and $39,187, respectively, according to Data USA.

Cities with higher living costs such as San Francisco and San Jose, California, meanwhile, typically have higher incomes that balance out expenses.

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https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/grocery-bills-america-here-most-least-expensive-cities

[Smokin Joe]

Now tell us how these cities rank for EBT, SNAP, WIC and all those programs.

I'm curious to see how much is really available to these 'poorest' folks to spend on groceries
(and how America seems to have the fattest poor people in the world).

[berdie]

Now tell us how these cities rank for EBT, SNAP, WIC and all those programs.

I'm curious to see how much is really available to these 'poorest' folks to spend on groceries
(and how America seems to have the fattest poor people in the world).

I'm not sure what groceries are available on the government programs.  But most likely it is fresh,canned or something that needs to be prepared.

People don't seem to cook much anymore. Or don't know how to. That being said, a pot of beans and cornbread can go a looong way. And it's cheap. ask me how I know this, lol.

I went to the grocery store today and it's stupid expensive. So I can almost understand why people go to CiCi's Pizza every day.

[libertybele]

I'm not sure what groceries are available on the government programs.  But most likely it is fresh,canned or something that needs to be prepared.

People don't seem to cook much anymore. Or don't know how to. That being said, a pot of beans and cornbread can go a looong way. And it's cheap. ask me how I know this, lol.

I went to the grocery store today and it's stupid expensive. So I can almost understand why people go to CiCi's Pizza every day.

Ah ... I haven't made cornbread in awhile -- I don't make a lot when I do make it but it lasts us a couple of meals.  Usually we have it with chili (with beans).  Sometimes I make cornbread and we have it for breakfast .... good stuff.

[libertybele]

Though not listed I tend to believe that where I live is one of the most expensive cities for groceries.  Just sayin'.

[roamer_1]

What is interesting to me is the actual price of groceries and the difference between regions - As an example, through conversations here discussing the cost of hamburger and eggs, among other things, I find my costs to be almost invariably cheaper than y'all.

I wonder if that is a 'what the market will bear' thing kinda asserting itself regionally,or is it the expression of hidden taxes elsewhere? (I am blessed to be in a state with no sales tax, I mean)

[berdie]

Ah ... I haven't made cornbread in awhile -- I don't make a lot when I do make it but it lasts us a couple of meals.  Usually we have it with chili (with beans).  Sometimes I make cornbread and we have it for breakfast .... good stuff.

I've never boarded the chili with cornbread train, lol. And even though I'm a Texan...I put beans in my chili.
Generally, I make a big skillet  of cornbread and freeze it. Good for most meals...even for breakfast.

[libertybele]

I've never boarded the chili with cornbread train, lol. And even though I'm a Texan...I put beans in my chili.
Generally, I make a big skillet  of cornbread and freeze it. Good for most meals...even for breakfast.

Yay for beans in the chili.  I make mine in an old 8x9 baking dish.  I suppose I could double the recipe and freeze some -- good idea.

[roamer_1]

I always make my cornbread in a cast iron skillet... The crisp it puts on it cannot be duplicated.

[mountaineer]

I'm not sure what groceries are available on the government programs.  But most likely it is fresh,canned or something that needs to be prepared.

Except for some states eliminating soda pop from SNAP, I'm pretty sure people can buy whatever they want with their EBT. What amuses me is the annual TG giveaways of frozen turkeys and all the usual Thanksgiving dinner items. I doubt many welfare-accusomed recipients really are eager to thaw and roast turkeys, make the green bean casserole, bake the rolls, and basically prepare the meal from scratch. Too much work.