Breakdown: Average Costs: As of 2023, the USDA estimates that a moderate-cost plan for a family of four might range from about $1000 to $1200 per month, depending on age and dietary preferences.
By Household Size
According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.
I know inflation has hit us all pretty hard in the last couple of years and it might seem more difficult than ever to keep your food costs down, but it is possible. According to the USDA (as of November 2023), a family of four is considered thrifty to live on $224 per week.
It has been recommended that every family keeps 3 days' worth of food per person like the 72-hour emergency kit in case of emergencies like hurricanes, tornados, or any other natural disaster.
Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
According to the USDA, the average weekly grocery bill for a family of four in the United States fluctuates between $150 to $300.
Most agree that spending only $300 monthly for two people is possible, but it's a big challenge. You'd have to focus on cheap foods like rice, beans, pasta and potatoes to make it work. You'd also need to buy in bulk and cook everything from scratch.
Food prices — which are up 28% since 2019 — remain high because of the combined impact of rising operating costs, supply-chain disruptions and corporate profits. Higher production, labor and fuel costs have rippled through every aspect of the food system.
Every family is different; some may have special diets; some tend to eat out while others prefer home-cooked meals. And then there's the matter of income. But overall, the general opinion is that a decent amount to buy groceries for four members is around $800.
The October 2024 estimate for a family of four on a thrifty plan is about $987 per month. (The USDA defines this family as a male and female between ages 20 and 50, and two children, ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11.) Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A rough rule of thumb is to allow about $100 a week per person in your household, but the overall amount shouldn't be more than one-third of your household's after-tax income. Plan meals. Save money and time by planning meals for a few days or a week. This will also help reduce food waste.
For a low-cost budget for a family of four, you can plan on spending $246.10 a week or about $1,066.20 a month. Moderate-cost plan. For a moderate budget for a family of four, you would spend $304.30 a week for groceries or $1,318.80 a month.
A family of four that includes one adult male, one adult female and two older children would spend approximately $1,360 monthly. This estimation is based on a moderate monthly food budget, with the full range starting at $1,080 on a more price-conscious plan and up to around $1,640 on a more liberal budget.
While this figure can vary based on factors such as location, family size, and lifestyle preferences, a common range for a good monthly salary is between $6,000 and $8,333 for individuals.
Quick Take: The 75/15/10 Budgeting Rule
The 75/15/10 rule is a simple way to budget and allocate your paycheck. This is when you divert 75% of your income to needs such as everyday expenses, 15% to long-term investing and 10% for short-term savings. It's all about creating a balanced and practical plan for your money.
Ideally, you want to have 20% of your take-home pay left over after paying all of your bills.
How much do Californians spend on groceries every week? It's more than almost any other state. The average household in California spends roughly $1,200 a month on groceries — or nearly $300 a week, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.