Unless you’re completely self-sufficient, it's likely you've noticed your groceries getting more and more expensive. But not every shopping basket across the US is equal, and grocery prices vary wildly between states. We’ve dived into the nation’s home economics and analyzed the latest data to find the cheapest – and most expensive – places to live when it comes to filling your pantry and refrigerator. Did you know Hawaii sells the most expensive groceries overall? Or that New Mexico has the cheapest vegan food?
Our round-up is based on a recent study by CashNetUSA, which worked out the cost a 12-item grocery list (pictured) and its vegan counterpart at Walmart in each state. With more than 10,500 stores spread throughout the country and 240 million weekly customers, the grocery giant is an ideal indicator of how costs vary by location. We've also looked at average income data to work out relative affordability – the time you’d have to work on average to pay for the items.
We've ordered our list from most expensive, counting down to the cheapest – and highlighting the most and least affordable states based on average income. Read on to find out where your state ranks:
Groceries in the Aloha State cost a whopping 26.18% more than the national average – with your average basket of food the priciest in the US. However, Hawaii is only the ninth least affordable state. That dreamy location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean comes with its challenges. The distance from the islands to the mainland, paired with limited transportation options, can make shipping groceries a huge endeavor. The logistics jack up the costs, while the size of the islands limits the scale of production, causing greater reliance on imported goods to meet the demand. Hawaiians also pay more for vegan groceries – 25.67% over the national average – than people in any other state.
Coming in at 20.11% over the national average, food in Alaska comes with a hefty price tag. While the Frontier State is rich in oil and other natural resources, supplies are affected by its isolated nature. Alaska’s relative lack of infrastructure, together with harsh winters, means most fresh vegetables, fruit, and farmed meat are shipped from out of state, and those shipping costs add up. However, the state’s relatively high average income offsets the high prices.
Those who visit Tennessee know that it’s hard to beat for music and barbecue. But such riches come with a hefty price tag; Tennessee is the second least affordable state. Here, a typical basket of food costs an eye-watering 14.3% more than the national average while, just over the border in Kentucky, the same basket costs 6.72% less than the national average.
Life can be a peach in Georgia, but the same can’t be said about going grocery shopping. Food bills in Georgia are a whopping 14.23% above the national average, taking Georgians an average of one hour and 50 minutes to afford their basket. Georgia is the seventh least affordable state – unless you go vegan. Surprisingly, the average basket of vegan groceries is very slightly (0.02%) cheaper than the national average.
Missouri is the fifth least affordable state in America, with an eye-watering 13.2% surge above average for a regular food basket. An average worker takes an hour and 55 minutes to make enough for those essential groceries. Although, if you live in the state, you might want to consider moving to plant-based food – the vegan grocery basket comes in at 0.12% cheaper than the national average in this Midwestern state.
It takes a lot to feed a family in Alabama. With a bill that’s an eye-watering 12.5% over the national average, it takes two hours and two minutes of work to afford a basket of regular groceries here, making it the least affordable state when taking average earnings into account. A possible explanation is that Alabama is one of three states where groceries are fully taxable (the others are Mississippi and South Dakota).
While California has some of the most expensive groceries out there – with costs around 5% above average – it’s the seventh most affordable state to live in, thanks partly to the substantial wages earned in industries like tech (though, of course, incomes vary wildly across the Golden State). It only takes an hour and 20 minutes for the average Californian to earn their shopping basket. Those on a vegan diet can cut six minutes off that, making it the fifth most affordable state for plant-based groceries.
Thinking of moving to Arkansas? You may need deep pockets. The Natural State has fertile soils and rivers aplenty, yet it’s currently the fourth least affordable state for groceries, with prices rising to 2.45% above the national average. The land-locked state is also the fifth most expensive state for vegan groceries. Inflation and the cost of living are taking a toll on food prices, while wages have largely remained unchanged.
Over in Minnesota, groceries cost a good 2.43% more than the countrywide average. Luckily this is offset by the above-average income; the Midwestern state has the second highest per-person capita income in the region. Minnesotans only need to work an hour and 28 minutes to afford the food basket.
Groceries are more expensive than the national average in North Carolina, but only by 1.56% (1.30% for vegans). The First in Flight state, which saw the Wright Brothers fly for the first time, sits by the middle of the affordability list – cheaper than Kansas but one spot below Florida.
The home to the Rocky Mountains is one of few states where it pays to be vegan. Colorado retails vegan groceries at a surprisingly low 2.08% under the national average. On the other hand, regular groceries are 1.39% higher than average here, showing one of the most significant disparities between vegan and non-vegan food shopping.
On average, it takes Arizonians an hour and 35 minutes of work to pay for a 12-item grocery list. Here, prices are around 1.2% higher than the average across the nation. Vegans fare a little worse, paying 1.84% over the national average for groceries like dairy-free cheese and soya milk – making the Grand Canyon State the third most expensive state for plant-based products.
Vegans get the biggest bang for their buck in Massachusetts. Despite a slightly higher-than-average cost of 1.11% for regular food (0.07% for vegan), it takes an hour and 12 minutes of work to pay for your groceries (two minutes less for the plant-based basket). That makes it one of few states where shopping vegan is marginally cheaper. Overall, the Bay State is the most affordable state for vegans and the second most affordable for regular groceries.
The Southern state may be home to a museum-clad capital, white sand beaches, and a lush 26,000-acre national park, but, wherever you go in this charming state, you can probably expect to pay top dollar for food. South Carolina is the sixth least affordable state for regular groceries, and the second least affordable for vegans.
Citizens of Louisiana don’t have it easy when it comes to food shopping, regardless of their food preferences. While regular groceries are a slender 0.19% above the average, it takes an hour and 49 minutes of work to afford the shopping basket, as wages are relatively low. The Deep South state is the 10th least affordable state for groceries and the seventh most expensive for vegans.
Groceries in Maine don’t stray far from the average. The state sits right in the middle when it comes to the cost of your regular food basket, which is 0.31% cheaper than the average. It’s slightly more expensive for vegans, but not by much – a meager 0.07% above the national average.
The Sunshine State is blessed with gorgeous weather, wonderful produce (including those juicy oranges), and reasonable food prices. Groceries here sell at 0.67% below the national average, which takes the average local an hour and 39 minutes of work to cover. Vegans are luckier, with groceries coming in at 1.69% below average.
If you’re planning a visit to Mount Rushmore, prepare your wallet – because life in South Dakota isn’t cheap. The landlocked Midwestern state, known for its windswept prairies and the rugged Black Hills, is the eighth least affordable state and fourth least affordable for vegans.
The Green Mountain State has more farmers’ markets per capita than any other, though food at the big retailers is relatively affordable, too, at 1.03% below average. The state is king when it comes to dairy, producing more than 15 million glasses of milk daily. No wonder this is Ben & Jerry’s home state.
Illinois’ groceries are just below average – 1.17% cheaper, to be precise. With rich soil covering about three-quarters of the state, the agricultural industry is strong, and thus the food prices are relatively low. Illinois also benefits from the diverse nature of its economy; the many industries that thrive in the state help to make it an affordable place to live. It takes, on average, an hour and 26 minutes for a local to afford the shopping basket.
More than 85% of Iowa’s surface is farmland, which must impact grocery prices. The standard basket in the Midwestern state costs 1.22% less than the national average, taking an hour and 40 minutes for the average worker to earn. Prices are slightly higher for vegans, who pay 0.07% above average.
Blessed with glorious natural landscapes, a wealth of history, and majestic granite quarries, New Hampshire can be an idyllic place to live. Add some affordable groceries into the mix, and you’re all set. Groceries sell for 1.29% below the average. That means, considering the median income, it takes an hour and 27 minutes to earn your groceries, making New Hampshire a relatively affordable place to food shop.
Home to 3.6 million people, Connecticut may be the third smallest state, but food shoppers here can afford a rather large food cart as groceries are 1.34% below the national average. The state, which houses the prestigious Yale University, is the sixth most affordable state for vegans and non-vegans alike when it comes to grocery shopping.
Being vegan in Mississippi isn’t cheap. The state has the worst value vegan food when taking income into account – despite the plant-based basket coming in 1.05% below the national average. The standard basket of groceries comes in at 1.53% under, too. But, since Mississippi has the lowest wages in the US, the slight advantage in pricing is eclipsed by regional economic conditions, making it the third least affordable state for regular groceries, too.
Utah is known for many things – its diverse natural scenery, spectacular ski slopes, and Mormon influence – all of which have shaped the state’s food scene. The state’s agricultural industry is thriving, and fresh and locally sourced ingredients are relatively affordable. The 12-item basket costs 1.68% below average. Vegans have it even better; the plant-based basket is 3.02% cheaper in the Beehive State.
If you live in Maryland, you have access to some of the most affordable food in the US. With grocery prices at 1.75% below the national average, it’s the fifth most affordable state and the seventh cheapest for vegans. Taking wages into account, the average person needs to work for an hour and 18 minutes to pay for the basket of food items selected for the study.
Famous for the bison grazing its land, Wyoming is relatively cheap for food for non-vegans and vegans, with prices 1.75% and 1.79% below average respectively. However, stores tend to be thin on the ground, meaning that what many Wyoming residents save on their grocery bill is spent on fuel.
Sitting comfortably close to the middle, Texas groceries are 1.89% cheaper than the national average. Surprisingly, vegan food is similarly priced, despite Texas being a meat-lovers’ paradise. The second-largest state by both area and population, the Lone Star State boasts one of America’s fastest-growing economies.
The smallest state in the nation has relatively modest prices, too. Rhode Island happens to be one of the most affordable places to buy groceries, coming in at number ten on the list. It’s even better if you’re vegan, as the Ocean State is the ninth best for those eating a plant-based diet.
Shoppers on a shoestring may be glad to hear groceries in North Dakota are 2.21% cheaper than the national average, largely due to agriculture being its most significant industry. The state leads the nation in spring wheat and sunflower production and, most recently, has been diversifying production to include emerging crops such as hemp, hops, and fava beans.
Groceries in Wisconsin are nearly 5% cheaper than in neighboring Minnesota, where food is 2.43% more expensive than the average. Wisconsin’s food prices are 2.28% below average, yet residents need to work almost 10 more minutes than Minnesotans (one hour and 36 minutes) to afford the basket .
Making it to the 15 most affordable places to shop for food, we have the Beaver State. Groceries here are 2.35% cheaper than average for regular food (2.53% less for plant-based goods), and it doesn’t take that long for Oregonians to earn their shopping compared to other states, just a modest one hour and 26 minutes. Oregon also has a reputation as one of the country’s top places for vegan food and dining.
Per capita income is lower than the national average in Montana so, although groceries are 2.54% cheaper in this state, that doesn’t make them more affordable. It takes an average of one hour and 43 minutes of work to afford the 12-item basket.
Known as the Crossroads of America due to its central location and transport links, Indiana’s excellent infrastructure contributes to its relatively affordable grocery prices, which are 2.88% lower than the national average. The Hoosier State isn’t quite so vegan friendly, however, with the plant-based basket retailing ever-so-slightly (0.03%) above the national average.
People come to Nevada from all over the world to try their luck at the poker tables and slot machines of Las Vegas. But the deck may be stacked against residents when it comes to affordability. Typically, a basket of groceries in Nevada is priced 2.93% below average (it’s cheaper for vegans at 3.31% under). However, it will take an average of one hour and 39 minutes to earn said basket, which is longer than in most neighboring states (all but Idaho, where it takes one hour and 44 minutes).
With low-priced groceries (3.79% below average) and fair wages, Washington has become the third most affordable state, and second for vegans. It also helps that most groceries are exempt from retail sales tax in the Evergreen State.
You’re in for a treat in New Mexico when it comes to plant-based food. The Land of Enchantment has the cheapest vegan groceries in the country, at 5.03% below the national average. The state is experiencing a boom in meat-free dining, and retailers are stepping up their game to provide affordable choices for their vegan customers. Regular groceries aren’t bad either, selling 3.81% cheaper than the nationwide average.
Home to the first Thanksgiving, Virginia knows how to do food – and keep it relatively cheap, too. Virginians can count themselves lucky for living in the eighth most affordable state (10th for the vegans). The Old Dominion’s rich and diverse cuisine combines coastal seafood flavors with the best of traditional Southern cuisine.
New Jersey is known as the Garden State due to its abundance, which may explain how it became the fourth most affordable state for groceries (vegan or non-vegan). The diner capital of the world, as it’s also known, seems like a perfect place to live if you’re looking for relatively cheap eats. Groceries here are priced at 4.22% below average, and it only takes an hour and 14 minutes of work to pay for them.
Known for its bountiful potato crops – which make up a third of the national yield – Idaho fares well when it comes to food shopping, with groceries a significant 4.32% below the average. Idaho’s agriculture is diverse and abundant, remaining a fundamentally important part of the state’s economy, which in turn helps drive prices down.
When it comes to food shopping, Nebraska is a relatively affordable place to live. Groceries are 4.46% cheaper than average, while vegan items sit just below the average, at 0.61% cheaper. Much like its geographical position, Nebraska sits pretty much right in the middle regarding affordability compared to other states. It takes the average worker an hour and 35 minutes to earn the basic basket.
Famous for its booming agriculture and profitable energy industries, you’d expect the Sooner State to rank well. Yet, while prices do sit 4.65% below the average, it takes an hour and 43 minutes of work to afford the regular food basket, which is higher than most states.
Surprisingly, New York is the most affordable state for grocery shopping overall. New York State’s Walmart offers the best buys in relation to local income, which is significantly boosted by high salaries in NYC. Although there’s no physical Walmart in the Big Apple, shoppers can purchase Walmart groceries via Instacart. And those who shop outside the city enjoy prices 4.82% below the national average, equivalent to an hour and 10 minutes of work in the state. It’s also the third most affordable state for vegans.
Shoppers in Pennsylvania pay nearly 5% below the national average for regular groceries, but vegan alternatives come in at just 0.76% below the average. This gap is due mainly to the fact that, while Pennsylvania has one of the largest rural populations in the country, livestock and its byproducts are the major components of farm income.
Grocery shoppers in Michigan also pay significantly less for their groceries; the basket of regular groceries is 5.13% cheaper than the national average. The Great Lakes state has plenty of produce to draw from, being rich in fruit fields, and is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation.
While Kansas has a staggeringly high food sales tax, at 6.5%, groceries are surprisingly affordable compared to other states, at 6.17% below average. The Sunflower State is slightly more expensive for vegans, though still relatively affordable at 3.36% below the national average cost for a basket with plant-based alternatives.
Living in, or visiting, Ohio? Groceries in Buckeye State are well below the nationwide average, at 6.48% cheaper. However, it’s not the most vegan-friendly state; the plant-based basket was only 0.71% cheaper than the national average. As to its affordability, Ohio sits comfortably in the middle.
Birthplace to the world’s most famous fried chicken joint, Kentucky is relatively affordable for most – but not for anyone cutting out meat and dairy. While regular groceries sell well below average – 6.72% cheaper, to be precise – Kentucky is the ninth least affordable state for vegans.
The second-smallest state may be worth visiting just for a trip to Walmart, where groceries sell at a fantastic 7.13% below the national average – aided by the state’s tax-free shopping policies – making it the ninth most affordable state. Vegans, however, have it a tad harder, with plant-based groceries being just 0.47% below the national average.
West Virginia has the cheapest regular groceries, at 7.70% below the national average. The rustic charm of the state’s rural areas have a knock-on effect; with fewer big-city crowds and lower overhead costs, retailers can pass savings on to customers. However, it’s the third least affordable state for vegans and the 12th for regular groceries. Lower than average wages mean residents must work one hour and 43 minutes hours to pay for their produce in the Mountain State – and an hour and 48 minutes for a plant-based basket.
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