Although the inflation skyrocket of 2022 has slowed, a recent study from ConsumerAffairs revealed that the average Floridian income still hasn’t caught up with the high cost of groceries and most Americans feel they’re paying too much at grocery stores .

“Seventy-four percent of the people surveyed by the U.S. Census Bureau in August and September 2024 said they felt prices of key goods and services, including groceries, had increased over the previous two months,” the study says.

“Only 31% said they had no difficulty paying for these weekly expenses.”

Here’s how much the average American household spends on groceries each month, the states where people pay the most for groceries each month and how much Floridians spend compared to the national average, according to ConsumerAffairs’ study.

Which states pay the most for groceries?

To find how much Americans in each state spend on groceries monthly, ConsumerAffairs used U.S. Census Bureau surveys that asked about weekly food spending in each state and their major metropolitan areas in Oct. 2023 and Nov. 2022.

“American households spent an average of $1,174 per month on groceries in Oct. 2023, up from $1,108 in Nov. 2022,” according to ConsumerAffairs’ study and U.S. Census Bureau data. “That marks an average increase of nearly 6% in nearly a year.”

According to the study, Hawaii and Alaska unsurprisingly are the states with the highest grocery bills in the U.S., because of their reliance on imported goods.

When it comes to the cheapest states to buy groceries, Northeastern states came out on top.

“Residents in New Hampshire spent the lowest share of their monthly incomes on groceries in 2023, at around 10%,” the study says.

“That followed a trend among other Northeastern states, which fall on the higher end of U.S. household incomes. Massachusetts and New Jersey residents also spent 10% of their monthly incomes on groceries in 2023.”

Are Florida groceries expensive?

The cost of groceries in Florida is certainly not cheap or getting cheaper, but it is around $200 less than the most expensive state.

Ways to coupon and save money on groceries online

Do loyalty programs actually work for saving on groceries?

How well a store’s loyalty program works for saving you money has to do with your spending habits, according to Experian . If you’re aware that loyalty program deals and discounts may entice you to buy more or different products than you typically do, then loyalty programs could help you save on groceries.

The store where you’re a member may offer great deals in comparison to its own original prices, but it may be worth it to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.