Money
Grocery budget calculator (USDA food plans)
A family of four (two adults, two school-age kids) spends about $1,388 a month on the USDA moderate-cost food plan, or $1,024 on the thrifty plan (August 2026).
Monthly grocery costs by household (USDA, August 2026)
| Household | Thrifty | Low-cost | Moderate | Liberal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family of 4 (2 adults 19–50, kids 6–8 and 9–11) | $1,024 | $1,126 | $1,388 | $1,679 |
| Family of 3 (2 adults, child 4–5) | $799 | $810 | $1,003 | $1,242 |
| Family of 5 (2 adults, kids 4–5, 6–8, 9–11) | $1,151 | $1,239 | $1,529 | $1,849 |
| Family with 2 teens (2 adults, boy and girl 14–18) | $1,159 | $1,186 | $1,461 | $1,788 |
| Couple, 19–50 | $630 | $652 | $808 | $1,007 |
| Woman living alone, 19–50 | $304 | $331 | $403 | $515 |
| Man living alone, 19–50 | $383 | $381 | $478 | $583 |
Households other than four people include the USDA size adjustment: +20% for one person, +10% for two, +5% for three, −5% for five or six, −10% for seven or more.
Per person, by age and sex
| Age and sex | Thrifty | Low-cost | Moderate | Liberal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child, 1 year | $114 | $165 | $186 | $226 |
| Child, 2–3 | $173 | $174 | $207 | $252 |
| Child, 4–5 | $188 | $179 | $221 | $268 |
| Child, 6–8 | $209 | $262 | $304 | $356 |
| Child, 9–11 | $242 | $271 | $350 | $407 |
| Female, 12–13 | $224 | $269 | $322 | $401 |
| Female, 14–18 | $260 | $271 | $323 | $399 |
| Female, 19–50 | $254 | $276 | $336 | $429 |
| Female, 51–70 | $236 | $269 | $331 | $399 |
| Female, 71+ | $260 | $268 | $330 | $394 |
| Male, 12–13 | $258 | $317 | $392 | $460 |
| Male, 14–18 | $326 | $322 | $403 | $474 |
| Male, 19–50 | $319 | $317 | $398 | $486 |
| Male, 51–70 | $281 | $299 | $375 | $449 |
| Male, 71+ | $268 | $296 | $364 | $448 |
Thrifty-plan teen and adult groups are 14–19 and 20–50; the other plans use 14–18 and 19–50.
Citing this? Link to https://tools.tidyandtended.com/grocery-budget/. Figures from the USDA monthly report. Free to reuse with a link (CC BY 4.0).
The four USDA food plans
The USDA prices a healthy diet at four budget levels every month. Thrifty is the minimum and sets SNAP benefits; low-cost and moderate-cost are where many families land; liberal allows pricier choices. All four assume meals and snacks are made at home.
Questions
How much should a family of 4 spend on groceries?
About $1,024 to $1,679 a month on the USDA food plans for August 2026, with the moderate plan at $1,388 ($320 a week). That assumes two adults 19–50 and children aged 6–8 and 9–11.
How much does a couple spend on groceries a month?
About $652 on the low-cost plan and $808 on the moderate plan for two adults 19–50, including the USDA’s +10% adjustment for two-person households.
What is the USDA thrifty food plan?
The lowest-cost of the four USDA plans: a healthy diet at minimal cost, and the basis for SNAP benefits.
Why do teenage boys cost so much to feed?
Their calorie needs are high: the moderate plan prices a boy 14–18 at $403 a month, more than an adult man.
Do these costs include eating out?
No. The plans cover food made at home only: no restaurants, takeout, alcohol, pet food or household supplies.
How often are the figures updated?
The USDA publishes new costs every month. This page uses the August 2026 report, issued September 2026.
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