This is one of the most searched money questions on the internet. And it makes sense—groceries are one of the biggest recurring expenses that still feels… kind of unpredictable.
There isn’t one right number
Your grocery spending depends on:
- Household size
- Where you live
- Diet (more fresh food often costs more)
- How much convenience you buy
- How often you eat out
So if you’re looking for a single “correct” number, you’ll end up frustrated.
A better question: what’s my normal?
Instead of trying to match an average, aim for this:
- What’s my typical month?
- What’s a higher month?
- What triggers the higher month?
That’s how you get control without obsessing.
Why grocery budgets fail
Most grocery budgets fail for one simple reason: they treat groceries like a fixed bill.
They aren’t. Groceries are a mix of:
- food you eat now
- food you eat later
- household stuff (paper goods, cleaners, etc.)
So if your “grocery” category includes non-food items, your budget will always feel off.
Two practical moves
- Track first, budget second. You can’t set a good target until you see your pattern.
- Separate groceries from dining out. Even if you don’t “budget,” this gives instant clarity.
The takeaway
If you track just 6–8 weeks, you’ll know more about your food spending than most people do in years.
And once you know your range, budgeting becomes easier because you’re not guessing.