Grocery prices can really add up, and they vary quite a bit across the U.S. Surprisingly, the state with the highest grocery bills isn’t New York—it’s Hawaii. The average grocery cost there is around $157 a week, according to a study by Visual Capitalist.
New York comes in 11th, with weekly bills averaging $121. Prices in New York have gone up by about 6.1% each year. Recent grocery bills might rise even further due to two new laws aimed at raising pay for delivery drivers. Critics worry this could lead to higher food prices in supermarkets.
Understanding Recent Trends
The Visual Capitalist study aimed to tackle rising food costs nationwide. For example, ground beef prices surged by 15% in 2025, while orange juice jumped 21%. Egg prices hit a staggering $8.15 per carton in March due to shortages caused by bird flu, leading some shops to sell loose eggs to help customers save money.
To gather this data, researchers used Bureau of Labor Statistics price indexes to find out what a median-income household typically spends on groceries each week. In Hawaii, residents pay 33% more than the national average, which is $118.
Hawaii’s grocery costs rose by 9.6% from the previous year, putting a big dent in residents’ wallets. Right behind Hawaii is Alaska, where the average weekly cost is $152, increasing by 8.8%. Prices differ widely within Alaska, too; for instance, a bag of chips might cost $6.79 in Anchorage but can soar to $10.49 in places like Unalakleet, where transportation issues come into play.
California’s average grocery bill sits at $127, showing a 3.4% rise since last year. Factors like higher minimum wage, rent, and utility costs all add to the increase. The same trend can be seen in Washington ($126) and Vermont ($124).
Interestingly, Southern states tend to have more affordable grocery prices. For example, Arkansas residents spend about 6% less than the national average, making it the cheapest state for groceries.
Top Ten Most Expensive States for Groceries
- Hawaii ($157)
- Alaska ($152)
- California ($127)
- Washington ($126)
- Vermont ($124)
- Florida ($122)
- Oregon ($122)
- Maryland ($122)
- Montana ($122)
- Idaho ($122)
In summary, grocery prices are rising across many states, influenced by factors like local economies and laws. Understanding this can help consumers budget better and navigate the changes ahead.
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Lifestyle,Food & Drink,Metro,alaska,california,hawaii,new york
