Average Grocery Cost per Month
The average U.S. household spent about $519 a month on groceries (food at home) in 2024 (BLS) — roughly $6,224 a year. USDA food plans put a moderate budget near $336/month per adult.
Average monthly grocery spending (food at home) was about $519 in 2024 (BLS) — about $6,224/year. USDA plans benchmark a moderate budget at roughly $336 per adult.
- Groceries/month~$519
- Groceries/year$6,224
- USDA moderate, 1 adult~$336
- Share of food spending~61%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024
Actual spending vs. USDA benchmark
Two useful numbers exist. The BLS reports actual average grocery spending (food at home) — about $519/month per household in 2024. The USDA publishes a recommended budget for a nutritious home diet by age and sex — about $336/month for one adult on the moderate plan. The BLS figure is per household (often 2+ people); the USDA figure is per person.
Grocery spending: actual vs. benchmark
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| BLS average household groceries/month | $519 |
| BLS average household groceries/year | $6,224 |
| USDA moderate plan, 1 adult/month | ~$336 |
| USDA thrifty plan, 1 adult/month | ~$250 |
BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 (per household); USDA Cost of Food at Home, May 2026 (per adult).
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average household spend on groceries?
About $519 a month in 2024 (BLS), or roughly $6,224 a year for food at home.
What is a reasonable grocery budget for one person?
The USDA moderate-cost plan is about $336 a month per adult; a thrifty budget is closer to $250.
Why is the BLS number higher than USDA?
The BLS figure is per household (often more than one person), while the USDA plan is per individual.
Does this include restaurants?
No. Groceries mean food at home. Restaurant and takeout spending averaged about $329 a month in 2024.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024.
The BLS grocery figure is the 2024 food-at-home annual average divided by 12. USDA plan values are from the Cost of Food at Home report (May 2026).
Last checked July 2026 · Refreshed annually (BLS) and monthly (USDA) as new releases publish.