Americans Spending Largest Share of Income on Groceries in These Cities

Detroit leads as top city where households spend most on groceries. Explore rankings and cost trends nationwide.

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A recent study highlights the growing financial pressure of grocery expenses across the U.S., revealing that residents in certain cities allocate a significantly larger portion of their income to food than others.

The analysis, conducted by personal finance site WalletHub, evaluated 100 major U.S. cities based on how much of the median household income is spent on groceries. The findings show stark regional differences, with some areas bearing a heavier burden than others.

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Detroit, Michigan, topped the list, with groceries consuming an average of 3.78 percent of the city’s median monthly income. Cleveland, Ohio, and Birmingham, Alabama, followed closely at 3.77 percent and 3.28 percent, respectively. The ranking reflects the relative cost of food compared to local incomes rather than absolute grocery prices.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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