U.S. grocery prices rise 25 percent since 2019

Grocery prices in the United States have risen approximately 25 percent since 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics food-at-home index. While grocery inflation cooled to roughly 1 percent in 2024, this deceleration follows significant annual increases, including an 11 percent rise in 2022.

The economic impact of these price increases is disproportionate. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that households in the lowest income quintile spend nearly one-third of their income on food, compared to approximately 8 percent for those in the top quintile.

A WalletHub analysis of 100 major U.S. cities examined the cost of 26 common grocery items relative to median household income. The study found that residents in Detroit, Michigan, spend the highest share of their monthly income on groceries at 4.03 percent, followed by Cleveland, Ohio, and Birmingham, Alabama. Factors such as overall inflation and supply issues, including bird flu affecting egg supplies, continue to influence these costs.