WalletHub finds Detroit spends the largest share of median monthly household income on groceries (3.78%), followed by Cleveland, Birmingham, Newark and Toledo; Fremont, San Jose and San Francisco rank lowest. Experts say regional gaps reflect delivery, rent and labor costs as well as local incomes rather than uniform price differences. Up to 40% of U.S. food becomes waste, raising store costs and producing methane that worsens climate impacts and supply disruptions. Resale platforms such as Martie resell surplus at steep discounts, reducing waste and cutting consumer expenses.
WalletHub Ranks U.S. Cities by Grocery Burden — Detroit Tops the List
WalletHub finds Detroit spends the largest share of median monthly household income on groceries (3.78%), followed by Cleveland, Birmingham, Newark and Toledo; Fremont, San Jose and San Francisco rank lowest. Experts say regional gaps reflect delivery, rent and labor costs as well as local incomes rather than uniform price differences. Up to 40% of U.S. food becomes waste, raising store costs and producing methane that worsens climate impacts and supply disruptions. Resale platforms such as Martie resell surplus at steep discounts, reducing waste and cutting consumer expenses.
02:32 PM, 11/13/2025Economy
Grocery costs vary widely across U.S. cities
Grocery prices have continued to rise across the U.S. A new WalletHub study maps how much households in different cities now spend on groceries as a share of income, revealing a more complex picture than simply "expensive" or "cheap" places.
Key findings
Detroit carries the largest grocery burden: food costs equal 3.78% of the median monthly household income. Following Detroit are Cleveland; Birmingham, Alabama; Newark, New Jersey; and Toledo, Ohio. At the low end are three California cities: Fremont, San Jose and San Francisco.
Detroit's rank reflects its relatively low median income rather than the highest item prices — it has the second-lowest median annual income among the cities studied, which increases the share that groceries represent.
Why prices differ regionally
'Part of that is the cost of delivery and cost of the retail space and the cost of workers,' said Joseph Balagtas, an agricultural economics professor at Purdue University. 'If a retailer has to pay higher rent in New York City ... than in rural Indiana, then you know that the higher cost ... is going to get passed on to consumers.'
Regional differences reflect a mix of rent, labor, transportation and local market dynamics rather than a single nationwide price trend.
Food waste, higher costs and climate impacts
Federal data indicate up to 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted, a factor that increases costs for stores and shoppers. Former Tesco CEO James McCann told consumer group PIRG that inefficiencies across the supply chain are effectively "billed into the price the consumer pays."
Food disposed in landfills emits methane as it decomposes, contributing to warming and to more extreme weather events that can damage crops and disrupt supply chains — which in turn can push prices higher.
Resale apps and consumer tips
Consumers surveyed by USA Today cite common ways to trim food spending, such as buying in bulk and cutting back on restaurant meals. Another increasingly popular option is resale platforms that move surplus inventory to shoppers at steep discounts.
One such app, Martie, markets overstock and surplus items at discounts of up to 80% off brand-name prices, helping keep products out of landfills while lowering costs for consumers. Thousands of users report satisfaction with selection and quality.
"Great deals on trusted classics and fun new items I can afford to try! It was packaged well and shipped quick!" — Jessica H.
"Love the options available here, makes having certain things as regular menu options that would normally just be treats." — Steven C.
Bottom line
Where you live matters: grocery burden depends not only on shelf prices but also on local incomes, rents, labor and logistics. Reducing food waste and making use of discount channels can help households stretch grocery dollars while easing environmental impacts.