Grocery Budget Calculator
Grounded in USDA Food Plans and StatCan data โ not guesswork. Enter your household to get a weekly and monthly target.
2 adults ยท 0 kids ยท Standard ยท Moderate (mix of brands)
$130.00/week
$562.90/month
USDA Moderate benchmark: $635.00/mo
How it works
The USDA publishes four food plans โ Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate, Liberal. We scale them for your household size (bulk buying means a family of four spends ~15โ20% less per person), then adjust for diet (plant-based โ15โ20%, keto/paleo +25โ30%) and shopping style. Compare with national averages, then track reality in the spending tracker.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should a family of 4 spend on groceries?
USDA 2026 data puts a family of four between $830 (thrifty) and $1,310 (liberal) per month. Most households land near moderate at about $1,130.
Is vegan cheaper than eating meat?
Yes, typically 15โ20% less, since plant proteins cost less than meat. Keto and paleo run 25โ30% higher due to premium proteins.
Does household size scale linearly?
No. Larger households save through bulk buying and shared staples, which is why this calculator uses per-person bases with scale effects rather than multiplying.