20 US Cities That Spend the Least on Groceries Every Month
All over the world, the cost of food is soaring due to a few reasons, including, but not limited to, geopolitical conflicts, a spike in extreme weather events and an overall rise in demand. Millions of Americans are struggling to put enough food on the table and are cutting all possible corners to cover this essential expense.
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Though the soaring cost of food is a global problem, certain U.S. cities are spending less on groceries than others. In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of groceries from cities across the nation, finding those places that spend the least on this category.
Below are the 20 U.S. cities that spend the least on groceries, from the city that spends most to the city that spends the smallest amount monthly on groceries.
Post, Texas
Household median income: $44,701
Total cost of living monthly: $2,367
Livability score: 67
Grocery cost of living index: 87.2
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $414.42
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Castor, Louisiana
Household median income: $27,969
Total cost of living monthly: $2,752
Livability score: 55
Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94
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Brackettville, Texas
Household median income: $24,539
Total cost of living monthly: $2,351
Livability score: 64
Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94
Commerce, Oklahoma
Household median income: $35,221
Total cost of living monthly: $2,231
Livability score: 59
Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94
Frederick, Oklahoma
Household median income: $41,555
Total cost of living monthly: $2,233
Livability score: 62
Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94
Crystal City, Texas
Household median income: $49,211
Total cost of living monthly: $2,277
Livability score: 62
Grocery cost of living index: 87.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.94
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Olton, Texas
Household median income: $57,250
Total cost of living monthly: $2,335
Livability score: 67
Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47
Hollis, Oklahoma
Household median income: $46,339
Total cost of living monthly: $2,152
Livability score: 60
Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47
Littlefield, Texas
Household median income: $48,962
Total cost of living monthly: $2,315
Livability score: 66
Grocery cost of living index: 87.0
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $413.47
Mulberry, Kansas
Household median income: $50,580
Total cost of living monthly: $2,307
Livability score: 64
Grocery cost of living index: 86.9
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $412.99
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Electra, Texas
Household median income: $44,922
Total cost of living monthly: $2,404
Livability score: 67
Grocery cost of living index: 86.6
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.57
Crosbyton, Texas
Household median income: $47,083
Total cost of living monthly: $2,308
Livability score: 63
Grocery cost of living index: 86.5
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.09
Springhill, Louisiana
Household median income: $27,868
Total cost of living monthly: $2,351
Livability score: 66
Grocery cost of living index: 86.5
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $411.09
Morton, Texas
Household median income: $37,604
Total cost of living monthly: $2,249
Livability score: 68
Grocery cost of living index: 86.4
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $410.62
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Oakdale, Louisiana
Household median income: $46,250
Total cost of living monthly: $2,532
Livability score: 69
Grocery cost of living index: 86.3
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $410.14
Rising Star, Texas
Household median income: $32,697
Total cost of living monthly: $2,504
Livability score: 59
Grocery cost of living index: 86.2
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.67
Ranger, Texas
Household median income: $30,344
Total cost of living monthly: $2,310
Livability score: 68
Grocery cost of living index: 86.2
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.67
Spearsville, Louisiana
Household median income: $49,643
Total cost of living monthly: $2,714
Livability score: 46
Grocery cost of living index: 86.1
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $409.19
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Lake Providence, Louisiana
Household median income: $25,614
Total cost of living monthly: $2,206
Livability score: 64
Grocery cost of living index: 85.8
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $407.76
Davy, West Virginia
Household median income: $38,750
Total cost of living monthly: $2,189
Livability score: 44
Grocery cost of living index: 85.7
Monthly grocery expenditure cost: $407.29
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 lowest 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 U.S. 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 the 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 cheapest to the most expensive grocery costs. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 30, 2024.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 US Cities That Spend the Least on Groceries Every Month