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Grocery Budget Calculators

50 free calculators — all 50 states

Calculate grocery and food costs by state using USDA food plans adjusted for local cost of living and sales tax.

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Key: USDA official geographic ratio (Thrifty-derived)Modeled cost-of-living estimate

Showing all 50 states

Northeast (9)

Midwest (12)

South (16)

West (13)

The underlying national anchors come directly from USDA's USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — Cost of Food at Home Reports (May 2026 report, page last updated 2026-06-18, verified 2026-08-06): https://www.fna.usda.gov/research/cnpp/usda-food-plans/cost-food-monthly-reports. USDA publishes one national reference-family-of-4 monthly total per plan tier — that "reference family" is a specific USDA-defined household (male + female, 20-50 years, plus two children 6-8 and 9-11), not an average of every possible family and not a single "adult male" figure. The national Moderate-plan anchor is $1386.70/month; state figures below are modeled as disclosed next.

The four national USDA anchors above are DIRECT, official USDA figures. Every individual STATE'S figure below, however, is MODELED: 48 states scale those national anchors by this site's own state cost-of-living index (never presented as a USDA-published state figure). Alaska and Hawaii are the only two exceptions — USDA separately publishes an OFFICIAL Anchorage and Hawaii reference-family Thrifty cost, so those two states use the ratio of that official figure to the official national Thrifty figure — applied to all four tiers, since USDA does not separately publish Low-Cost/Moderate/Liberal figures for either — and do NOT also apply a cost-of-living index on top of it.

USDA additionally discloses that rural Alaska Thrifty Food Plan costs run 0.79% (Urban), 28.52% (Rural I), and 56.42% (Rural II) higher than Anchorage. This site's Alaska calculator and table row are explicitly labeled "Anchorage" and never silently substitute a rural-region figure.

This is an observational, source-reset release: it corrects the anchor figures and geography/tax logic and adds this comparison table, but does not change page titles, H1s, URLs, or canonical tags.

USDA grocery plan costs by state — family of 4, all 4 plan tiers (May 2026)

Every figure is a family-of-4 monthly grocery total, computed by the same calculateGroceryBudget() formula every state calculator uses, from USDA's own May 2026 reference-family-of-4 figures (Thrifty $1018.20, Low-Cost $1122.00, Moderate $1386.70, Liberal $1675.30). Those four national anchors are taken DIRECTLY from USDA's published reports. 48 states then scale those national figures by this site's own MODELED cost-of-living index; Alaska and Hawaii instead use USDA's own OFFICIAL Anchorage/Hawaii Thrifty ratio applied to all four tiers (see the callout below) — never both at once. Ranked by the Moderate plan, most to least expensive.

State ThriftyLow-CostModerateLiberal
Hawaii Scaled from USDA's own official Hawaii Thrifty ratio, not the state cost-of-living index. $1,567$1,726$2,133$2,577
California $1,448$1,595$1,972$2,382
Massachusetts $1,375$1,515$1,872$2,262
Alaska Scaled from USDA's own official Anchorage Thrifty ratio, not the state cost-of-living index. $1,289$1,421$1,756$2,122
New York $1,261$1,389$1,717$2,074
Maryland $1,175$1,295$1,600$1,933
New Jersey $1,173$1,293$1,597$1,930
Vermont $1,166$1,285$1,588$1,918
Oregon $1,152$1,269$1,568$1,895
Connecticut $1,149$1,266$1,564$1,890
New Hampshire $1,146$1,263$1,561$1,886
Washington $1,127$1,242$1,535$1,855
Maine $1,114$1,227$1,517$1,833
Rhode Island $1,098$1,210$1,495$1,806
Colorado $1,070$1,179$1,457$1,761
Nevada $1,061$1,169$1,445$1,746
Virginia $1,056$1,164$1,438$1,737
Florida $1,047$1,153$1,426$1,722
Arizona $1,041$1,147$1,417$1,712
Montana $1,034$1,140$1,409$1,702
Delaware $1,033$1,139$1,408$1,700
Utah $1,031$1,137$1,405$1,697
Pennsylvania $1,005$1,107$1,369$1,654
Idaho $995$1,096$1,355$1,637
Minnesota $986$1,086$1,342$1,622
Illinois $982$1,082$1,337$1,615
Wyoming $969$1,068$1,320$1,595
North Carolina $968$1,067$1,319$1,593
South Carolina $967$1,066$1,317$1,592
New Mexico $963$1,061$1,312$1,585
Texas $956$1,054$1,302$1,573
Georgia $951$1,048$1,295$1,565
Wisconsin $950$1,047$1,294$1,563
South Dakota $943$1,039$1,284$1,551
North Dakota $942$1,038$1,283$1,550
Michigan $931$1,026$1,267$1,531
Louisiana $928$1,022$1,263$1,526
Nebraska $925$1,019$1,259$1,521
Ohio $925$1,019$1,259$1,521
Indiana $921$1,015$1,255$1,516
Kentucky $919$1,013$1,252$1,513
Iowa $917$1,011$1,249$1,509
Missouri $914$1,008$1,245$1,504
Tennessee $913$1,006$1,244$1,503
Arkansas $906$999$1,234$1,491
Alabama $897$988$1,222$1,476
Oklahoma $882$972$1,201$1,451
Kansas $879$968$1,197$1,446
West Virginia $856$944$1,166$1,409
Mississippi $848$935$1,155$1,396

Median Moderate-plan family-of-4 budget across all 50 states: $1,340. Cheapest: Mississippi ($1,155/mo Moderate). Priciest: Hawaii ($2,133/mo Moderate). Alaska and Hawaii rows are footnoted because their Low-Cost/Moderate/Liberal figures are extrapolated from USDA's official Thrifty-only geographic ratio, not independently published by USDA for those tiers.

All Calculators

Alabama Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Alabama. Cost of living index 88.1, sales tax 4%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Alaska Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Alaska. Cost of living index 125.9, sales tax 0%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Arizona Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Arizona. Cost of living index 102.2, sales tax 5.6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Arkansas Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Arkansas. Cost of living index 89, sales tax 6.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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California Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in California. Cost of living index 142.2, sales tax 7.25%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Colorado Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Colorado. Cost of living index 105.1, sales tax 2.9%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Connecticut Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Connecticut. Cost of living index 112.8, sales tax 6.35%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Delaware Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Delaware. Cost of living index 101.5, sales tax 0%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Florida Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Florida. Cost of living index 102.8, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Georgia Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Georgia. Cost of living index 93.4, sales tax 4%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Hawaii Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Hawaii. Cost of living index 193.3, sales tax 4%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Idaho Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Idaho. Cost of living index 97.7, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Illinois Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Illinois. Cost of living index 96.4, sales tax 6.25%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Indiana Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Indiana. Cost of living index 90.5, sales tax 7%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Iowa Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Iowa. Cost of living index 90.1, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Kansas Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Kansas. Cost of living index 86.3, sales tax 6.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Kentucky Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Kentucky. Cost of living index 90.3, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Louisiana Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Louisiana. Cost of living index 91.1, sales tax 4.45%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Maine Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Maine. Cost of living index 109.4, sales tax 5.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Maryland Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Maryland. Cost of living index 115.4, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Massachusetts Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Massachusetts. Cost of living index 135, sales tax 6.25%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Michigan Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Michigan. Cost of living index 91.4, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Minnesota Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Minnesota. Cost of living index 96.8, sales tax 6.875%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Mississippi Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Mississippi. Cost of living index 83.3, sales tax 7%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Missouri Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Missouri. Cost of living index 89.8, sales tax 4.225%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Montana Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Montana. Cost of living index 101.6, sales tax 0%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Nebraska Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Nebraska. Cost of living index 90.8, sales tax 5.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Nevada Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Nevada. Cost of living index 104.2, sales tax 6.85%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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New Hampshire Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in New Hampshire. Cost of living index 112.6, sales tax 0%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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New Jersey Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in New Jersey. Cost of living index 115.2, sales tax 6.625%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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New Mexico Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in New Mexico. Cost of living index 94.6, sales tax 4.875%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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New York Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in New York. Cost of living index 123.8, sales tax 4%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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North Carolina Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in North Carolina. Cost of living index 95.1, sales tax 4.75%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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North Dakota Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in North Dakota. Cost of living index 92.5, sales tax 5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Ohio Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Ohio. Cost of living index 90.8, sales tax 5.75%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Oklahoma Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Oklahoma. Cost of living index 86.6, sales tax 4.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Oregon Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Oregon. Cost of living index 113.1, sales tax 0%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Pennsylvania Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Pennsylvania. Cost of living index 98.7, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Rhode Island Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Rhode Island. Cost of living index 107.8, sales tax 7%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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South Carolina Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in South Carolina. Cost of living index 95, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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South Dakota Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in South Dakota. Cost of living index 92.6, sales tax 4.2%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Tennessee Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Tennessee. Cost of living index 89.7, sales tax 7%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Texas Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Texas. Cost of living index 93.9, sales tax 6.25%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Utah Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Utah. Cost of living index 101.3, sales tax 6.1%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Vermont Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Vermont. Cost of living index 114.5, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Virginia Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Virginia. Cost of living index 103.7, sales tax 5.3%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Washington Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Washington. Cost of living index 110.7, sales tax 6.5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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West Virginia Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in West Virginia. Cost of living index 84.1, sales tax 6%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Wisconsin Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Wisconsin. Cost of living index 93.3, sales tax 5%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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Wyoming Grocery Budget Calculator

Calculate grocery costs in Wyoming. Cost of living index 95.2, sales tax 4%. See monthly food budgets for individuals, couples, and families.

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About Grocery Budget Calculators

Calculate grocery and food costs by state using USDA food plans adjusted for local cost of living and sales tax. All 50 calculators are free to use, require no sign-up, and provide instant, formula-based results — see each calculator's own methodology section below for exactly how its figures are calculated and sourced.

Each calculator includes a detailed methodology section explaining the formulas used, data sources cited with verification dates, and frequently asked questions to help you understand the results. Results are shareable and print-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do groceries cost per month for a family of 4?

It depends heavily on the state. Using USDA's own Moderate plan, a family of 4 ranges from $1,155/month in Mississippi to $2,133/month in Hawaii per month, with a median of $1,340 (the same median shown in the table above). USDA also publishes Thrifty (cheapest), Low-Cost, and Liberal (most generous) tiers for the same reference family — see the table above for all four.

Are these grocery figures official USDA numbers?

The four national reference-family-of-4 anchors (Thrifty $1018.20, Low-Cost $1122.00, Moderate $1386.70, Liberal $1675.30) are official USDA figures, as are Alaska's and Hawaii's Thrifty-tier costs. Scaling those national figures to any other individual state uses this site's own modeled cost-of-living index, which is clearly labeled and editable — not a USDA-published state-level figure.

Why are Alaska and Hawaii calculated differently from the other 48 states?

Because USDA itself publishes separate, official Thrifty Food Plan costs for Anchorage and Hawaii (unlike the other 48 states, which get no state-specific USDA figure at all). This site uses that official Anchorage/Hawaii-vs-national ratio instead of a modeled cost-of-living index for those two states, and never applies both at once. USDA also reports that rural Alaska costs run meaningfully higher than Anchorage — this site's Alaska figures use the Anchorage cost specifically.