50 People Show How Much Groceries Cost Where They Live

Food is a basic necessity. But surviving is starting to become really expensive for a lot of people. According to a February report from the Economic Research Service, food costs have risen by 24% in America since 2020, and experts say there are even more price hikes yet to come.

Many consumers are adapting to the high costs by buying less, while others are swiping their credit cards to cover the supermarket bill. In 2023, the Urban Institute reported that about a quarter of adults paid for groceries on a credit card and took on debt as a result. The Institute recently revealed that credit card delinquencies had increased 39.8% from February 2022 to August 2024, on the back of rising food prices.

A separate Lending Tree survey found that around a quarter of respondents are using buy now, pay later loans to purchase their groceries, and many are falling behind on the payments. 41% of those polled admitted they'd made a late payment on a BNPL loan in the past year.

It gets worse... The Pew Research Center reveals that in the past year, about 19% of Americans surveyed said they had to get food from a food bank or pantry, proving that people are really battling to afford to eat.

Whether you choose to dine out or stay in, it's gonna cost you more. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "the food-at-home (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) CPI increased 0.5 percent from February 2025 to March 2025 and was 2.4 percent higher than March 2024."

The USDA reports that "the food-away-from-home (restaurant purchases) CPI increased 0.4 percent in March 2025 and was 3.8 percent higher than March 2024."

And there's not much ordinary citizens can do to bring costs down. We can only try to minimize their impact on us. Bored Panda reached out to WalletHub's financial writer and analyst Chip Lupo to find out if he has any tips on saving money in the face of rising food prices.

"Look for in-store and online sales, use coupons, and take advantage of price-matching offers, especially for big-ticket items," advised Lupo during our interview. "Opting for generic or store brands can lead to significant savings without compromising quality as well."

Lupo adds that meal planning and buying in bulk, particularly for items that don’t perish quickly, can help lower grocery bills. "Also, reviewing and trimming unnecessary subscriptions can free up funds for more essential purchases," said the expert.

"Utilizing rewards programs is another easy way to make your dollars stretch further," Lupo told Bored Panda. "For example, the best rewards credit cards can save the average cardholder more than $2,000 over the first two years. Don't overlook simple habits like conserving energy and water, either. They can help reduce utility bills."

It's essential to approach spending with a strategic mindset, advises the finance expert. "First, prioritize necessities and put off any non-essential purchases. A well-structured budget, one that tracks spending and maximizes contributions to savings as well as debt payments, will ensure that every dollar is working as efficiently as possible during uncertain economic times," he explained.

Lupo says that the importance of budgeting isn't lost on most consumers. "Nearly 3 in 4 Americans think more people should start using a budgeting app, according to WalletHub’s new household debt survey," he revealed.

As the images you see here prove, grocery costs can vary depending on where you live. You might buckle under the weight of the cost of bananas in one place, while you'll get loads of bang for your buck in another. There are many factors at play, according to the International Supermarket News (ISN) website.

One is the area's local agricultural production. "Nations with strong domestic food supply chains have lower grocery costs," notes the site. Government subsidies can also play a part. Certain countries provide essential food items at reduced prices. And those with open-air markets tend to have better prices than those only offering big supermarket chains.

Of course, there's also the issue of tariffs: somewhat of a buzzword in recent months. "Countries that rely on imports tend to have higher prices due to transportation and tariff costs," explains ISN.

If you're looking to duck high prices and run away to a faraway land, be careful where you choose. "Some of the most expensive countries for grocery shopping include Switzerland, Norway, and Japan, where high wages, import dependency, and limited farmland drive up prices," warns ISN.

India, on the other hand, has strong local agriculture, government subsidies and affordable staples, so the country is among the cheapest in the world when it comes to groceries. It's a similar story in Pakistan, where wheat, dairy, and vegetables won't cost you and arm and a leg. And where the government has put in price control measures.

ISN also recommends Vietnam and Egypt if you don't want to break the bank putting food on the table. The Asian country has low-cost rice, seafood, and fresh produce, while the land of pyramids is blessed with government-subsidized bread and strong local markets. In West Africa, Nigeria can provide you with locally grown cassava, maize, and yams; and plenty of informal markets at which to buy your groceries.

If you're really struggling and don't know where to turn for food, you could consider the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP - if you're in America. According to CNBC, it's a federal government program that provides food benefits for qualifying low-income families. You may need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify, notes the news site.

There are also food banks, pantries, feeding schemes and soup kitchens around the world that are willing to assist you in your time of need. Each have their own criteria. Some just allow you to rock up, no questions asked.

For those who have more than enough food, don't be afraid to share. You never know what the next person might be going through... or without.