How much should I spend on food per month?
There is no single right number, but the USDA publishes monthly cost figures for four food plans. The figures below are from its August 2026 report (issued September 2026) and cover food prepared at home only. For your own household, use the grocery budget calculator.
The four plans
The USDA describes Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost and Liberal as nutritious diets at four cost levels. All assume meals and snacks are made at home. They are benchmarks, not rules.
Grocery budget for 2 people
Example household: one woman and one man, both aged 19-50 (20-50 on the Thrifty plan). Each person’s cost is added together, then 10 percent is added for a 2-person household, as USDA states.
| Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Thrifty | $629.86 |
| Low-Cost | $652.19 |
| Moderate-Cost | $807.62 |
| Liberal | $1,006.50 |
Worked check, Moderate-Cost: $336.10 + $398.10 = $734.20; × 1.10 =$807.62.
Grocery budget for a family of 4
Example household: a woman and a man aged 19-50 (20-50 on Thrifty) and two children aged 6-8 and 9-11. A 4-person household needs no adjustment. On the Thrifty plan this is USDA’s own reference family, and the total matches its published monthly figure of $1,023.70.
| Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Thrifty | $1,023.70 |
| Low-Cost | $1,125.80 |
| Moderate-Cost | $1,388.20 |
| Liberal | $1,678.70 |
How to use these numbers
Compare them with what you spend on groceries now (not restaurants). If you are above the benchmark, see how to save money on groceries. Then put your chosen figure in the budget planner. Your own prices, region, ages and diet will differ from a national average.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grocery budget for 2 people?
Using USDA’s August 2026 figures for one woman and one man aged 19-50, the monthly cost is $629.86 (Thrifty), $652.19 (Low-Cost), $807.62 (Moderate-Cost), $1,006.50 (Liberal). Your own age groups, prices and diet will change this.
What is a grocery budget for a family of 4?
For two adults aged 19-50 and children aged 6-8 and 9-11, USDA’s August 2026 figures give $1,023.70 (Thrifty), $1,125.80 (Low-Cost), $1,388.20 (Moderate-Cost), $1,678.70 (Liberal) a month.
Does the figure include eating out?
No. USDA’s plans assume all meals and snacks are prepared at home.
Why is the total adjusted for household size?
USDA’s costs are for individuals in 4-person households. It suggests adding 20% for one person, 10% for two and 5% for three, no change for four, and subtracting 5% for five or six and 10% for seven or more.
How often are the numbers updated?
USDA publishes them monthly. This page uses the August 2026 report; the calculator and this guide are refreshed when we update it.
Sources
- Official USDA Thrifty Food Plan: U.S. Average, August 2026 (checked October 16, 2026)
- Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Three Levels, U.S. Average, August 2026 (checked October 16, 2026)