How much should I budget for groceries?

The USDA estimates a moderate food budget of $400–$600/month for a single adult. Most financial planners suggest keeping food costs (groceries + dining) under 10–15% of take-home pay.

Grocery Budget Calculator

Estimate a monthly grocery budget from household inputs.

This tool runs in your browser. None of your data is saved or sold.

Number of people

Budget per person per week ($)

Dining out budget per month ($)

Expected food inflation (%)

About This Calculator

Food costs are one of the most controllable household expenses. This calculator estimates your monthly grocery budget based on household size and per-person weekly spending, adds dining out, and projects the annual total — often a number that motivates tighter meal planning.

Estimates only — not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Verify important results with a qualified professional before making decisions.

monthly groceries = people × per-person weekly × 4.33; annual spend = monthly × 12 + dining × 12; projected cost next year = annual spend × (1 + inflation rate)