MS folks spend more on groceries than those in most other states, study shows. Here’s how much
Rising grocery prices in the United States are causing consumers across the country to feel strained — including Mississippians who have one of the highest grocery cost burdens in the country, according to a recent study.
The Magnolia State spends the third-highest amount of household income on groceries at 12.6%, about three percentage points higher than the national average of 9.5%, according to the study.
In November, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were paused as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, causing more than 357,000 Mississippians who rely on the program to feel an even greater burden.
Here’s what to know about grocery spending in Mississippi, including how to lower spending and where to find food assistance.
Which states have the most grocery cost burden?
Households in the top five states with the most grocery cost burden spend at least 2.5 percentage points more of their income on groceries than the national average, according to the ConsumerAffairs study.
These are the top five states most cost-burdened by groceries, the study found:
1. Louisiana
Average annual grocery spending per household: $8,303
Median household income: $60,986
Percentage of income spent on groceries: 13.6%
2. Arkansas
Average annual grocery spending per household: $8,223
Median household income: $62,106
Percentage of income spent on groceries: 13.2%
3. Mississippi
Average annual grocery spending per household: $7,465
Median household income: $59,127
Percentage of income spent on groceries: 12.6%
4. Idaho
Average annual grocery spending per household: $10,013
Median household income: $81,166
Percentage of income spent on groceries: 12.3%
5. New Mexico
Average annual grocery spending per household: $8,196
Median household income: $67,816
Percentage of income spent on groceries: 12.1%
Which states have the least grocery cost burden?
Several states with the least grocery cost burden surprisingly have a higher cost of living. The low grocery spending could be explained by a higher amount spent on restaurants and food out of the home, researchers said.
An average of 59% of total food spending is out of the home for states with the least grocery cost burden, while for states most burdened by groceries the average is 53%, according to the ConsumerAffairs study.
These are the top 10 states with the lowest grocery cost burden, the study found:
1. Massachusetts
2. Connecticut
3. New Jersey
4. Maryland
5. Vermont
6. Minnesota
7. Rhode Island
8. New York
9. Illinois
10. North Dakota
Tips for sticking to your grocery budget
Here are some ways consumers can lower their spending on groceries each month, according to ConsumerAffairs:
- Don’t buy impulsively, instead make a list and keep to it
- Look for discounts and leave room in your grocery budget to take advantage of deals
- Buy generic and store brands
- Think sustainable, try growing herbs or sharing community gardens
- Don’t be afraid to seek help
Where to find food assistance in MS
Here are some resources Mississippians can use to find food assistance in the state:
How did consumer research platform rank states?
ConsumerAffairs analyzed 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Census Bureau to compare medium household income and yearly grocery spending, researchers said.
USDA data on food-at-home sales per capita for individual grocery spending was multiplied by U.S. Census Bureau data on the average household size in each state to find household grocery cost estimates. Then, that number was divided by the state’s median household income to find the share of income spent on groceries and rank states, according to researchers.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
