Have you recently purchased groceries in Idaho, Utah, or other Midwest states? Did you mumble that groceries are much cheaper there than here in Washington? 

Well, you were right.

Idaho is, on average, the third cheapest state in America to buy groceries, trailing only Kansas and New Hampshire. According to Zippia.com, residents in New Hampshire spend an average of $183.00 per month on groceries, compared to Hawaii (the most expensive), whose residents pay $556.76 monthly.

Our Townsquare Media correspondents in New Hampshire have a theory for why their state is so cheap.

General Mills Stock Drops As Consumers Seek More Value In Their Purchases
Getty Images
loading...

Why New Hampshire Has the Lowest Average Cost for Groceries 

1) New Hampshire residents seem to be more frugal. Their residents prefer the discount grocery stores of Market Basket & Aldi over, say, Whole Foods.

2) Location, location, location. New Hampshire is also easily accessible via highway, so a tractor-trailer from Connecticut or New York can easily access this state of New England.

Before we get to the chart listing the cheapest to most expensive states to purchase groceries,

How can your family save on your monthly grocery budget?

1) You should create a monthly grocery budget and stick to it.

How much should you spend on groceries? Approximately 10% - 15% of your take-home pay

2) Buy from a discount food store like Grocery Outlet.

3) Plan your meals each week. My wife does a great job at this. If you want to save money, follow the experts' advice and plan your daily meals.

4) Stick to your grocery list and ensure you eat something before going to the store—otherwise, things like Kettle Chips, ice cream, and a dozen other unplanned, unnecessary items will end up in your basket.

5) Clip coupons (digitally now, of course). Here's a good read on where to get some coupons.

Discount Grocery Outlet Sells Overstocked And Out-Of-Date Food
Getty Images
loading...

So, what is the average amount Americans pay weekly for groceries?

 U.S. Average - $355

 

Here are the cheapest states (all 50 are listed) to buy groceries in America

1. New Hampshire ($183)

2. Kansas ($261)

3. Idaho ($281)

4. Utah ($282)

5. Arkansas ($282)

 

6. South Dakota ($286)

7. Texas ($287)

8. Nevada ($293)

9. Virginia ($298)

10. Arizona ($303)

Consumer Price Index Released Showing Inflation Data For July
Getty Images
loading...

11. New Mexico ($308)

12. Missouri ($313)

13. Kentucky ($315)

14. Indiana ($318)

15. Montana ($324)

 

16. Louisiana ($325)

17. North Dakota ($327)

18. Colorado ($327)

19. Michigan ($327)

20. Illinois ($327)

May Inflation Numbers To Be Reported Wednesday Ahead Of Fed Rates Announcement
Getty Images
loading...

21. Nebraska ($337)

22. North Carolina ($341)

23. Ohio ($341)

24. Connecticut ($343)

25. Maryland ($344)

 

107.3 KFFM logo
Get our free mobile app

 

26. New Jersey ($344)

27. Wyoming ($346)

28. Oklahoma ($346)

29. Tennessee ($346)

30. Iowa ($347)

 

31. Florida ($364)

32. California ($371)

33. Maine ($372)

34. Oregon ($375)

35. Delaware ($380)

Supermarkets Under Scrutiny As Cost Of Living Pressures Mount
Getty Images
loading...

 

36. Wisconsin ($386)

37. Rhode Island ($390)

38. Minnesota ($395)

39. Alabama ($397)

40. Georgia ($398)

 

41. Pennsylvania ($401)

42. Washington ($402)

43. Massachusetts ($406)

44. South Carolina ($411)

45. Mississippi ($423)

Major Cities In The U.S. Adjust To Restrictive Coronavirus Measures
Getty Images
loading...

 

46. West Virginia ($427)

47. New York ($483)

48. Alaska ($483)

49. Vermont ($497)

50. Hawaii ($557)

 

10 Towns in Washington State With the 2023 Lowest Cost of Living

Looking for a new place to live? Discover which towns have the most affordable cost of living in Washington State for 2023.

Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals

LOOK: States with the highest average cost of living

These are the top 20 states across the country, including the nation's capital, where the average cost of living is the highest, according to data compiled by the Missouri Economic Research & Information Center. The average cost of living index is 100, which indicates the national average of all 50 states. The index includes cost factors such as groceries, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and more. All states listed below are above that baseline.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

 

 

More From 107.3 KFFM