Grocery Budget Planner
Monthly grocery budget by household size and USDA spending level (Thrifty to Liberal).
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About the Grocery Budget Planner
Estimates a monthly and annual grocery budget from household size (adults and children) and a chosen USDA Food Plan spending level — Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, or Liberal — using USDA's own published per-person cost figures and household-size adjustment.
- Enter the number of adults and children in the household.
- Choose a USDA Food Plan spending level.
- Read the estimated monthly and annual grocery budget.
2 adults + 2 children on the Moderate-Cost Plan: (2 × $356.85 + 2 × $316.75) × 1.00 = $1,347.20/month, or $16,166.40/year.
| Plan | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Thrifty | $992.90 |
| Low-Cost | $1,093.70 |
| Moderate-Cost | $1,347.20 |
| Liberal | $1,628.40 |
USDA republishes these Food Plan costs monthly using CPI-U data, so current-month figures will drift slightly. Thrifty Plan figures are U.S. Average, January 2025 data; Low-Cost/Moderate/Liberal figures are U.S. Average, December 2025 data.
- • The Thrifty Plan is USDA's baseline for SNAP benefit calculations — restrictive but nutritionally complete.
- • A smaller household pays a real per-person premium under USDA's own methodology.
- • These figures assume every meal is prepared and eaten at home.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service — Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Three Levels — accessed 2026-08-31
- USDA FNS — USDA Food Plans: Monthly Cost of Food Reports — accessed 2026-08-31
Illustrative estimate only, not financial or tax advice. Verify figures with a licensed adviser or your local tax authority.