Answer
What is the average grocery bill for a family of 4?
About $1,388 a month ($320 a week) on the USDA moderate-cost plan for two adults and two children aged 6–11, in August 2026. The thrifty plan is $1,024 and the liberal plan $1,679.
Open the grocery budget calculator
Family of 4, all four plans
| Plan | A week | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrifty | $236 | $1,024 | $12,284 |
| Low-cost | $260 | $1,126 | $13,510 |
| Moderate-cost | $320 | $1,388 | $16,658 |
| Liberal | $387 | $1,679 | $20,144 |
Teens change the number
The same family with two teenagers (14–18) costs about $1,461 a month on the moderate plan, because teen calorie needs are high.
More questions
Is this what families actually spend?
It’s what the USDA says a healthy diet costs at each budget level; real spending depends on region, diet and store.
Does it include eating out?
No: food made at home only.
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