Average Food Cost per Month
The average U.S. household spent about $847 a month on food in 2024 (BLS) — roughly $519 on groceries and $329 dining out. That is about $10,169 a year, or 13% of spending.
Average monthly food spending was about $847 in 2024 — ~$519 groceries plus ~$329 restaurants (BLS).
- Total food/month~$847
- Groceries~$519
- Dining out~$329
- Per year$10,169
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024
Food at home vs. food away from home
The BLS splits food into food at home (groceries) and food away from home (restaurants, takeout, cafeterias). The $847 monthly figure is the sum, derived from the 2024 annual total. It is an average across all household sizes, so per-person cost is lower for larger households and higher for singles.
Average monthly food spending (2024)
| Type | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (food at home) | $519 | $6,224 |
| Dining out (food away) | $329 | $3,945 |
| Total food | $847 | $10,169 |
NumberBench monthly calculation from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 annual averages (annual ÷ 12).
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average person spend on food per month?
The average household spends about $847 a month; per-person cost depends on household size but often falls near $300–$450.
How much of the food budget is eating out?
About $329 of the $847, or roughly 39% of food spending goes to restaurants and takeout.
Is $847 groceries or all food?
All food. Groceries are about $519 of it; the remaining $329 is dining out.
How can I spend less on food?
Shifting spending from dining out toward groceries is the biggest lever; USDA food plans offer thrifty and low-cost benchmarks to target.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024.
Monthly values are NumberBench calculations from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 annual food-at-home and food-away figures (annual ÷ 12).
Last checked July 2026 · Refreshed annually with the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.