How much does the average person living alone spend on food?

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the USDA's food budget estimates, the monthly cost for a single adult in the US can range significantly, from a thrifty plan of under $300 to a more liberal plan of over $500, depending on age, gender, and dietary preferences. This wide range highlights the many factors that influence individual food spending, particularly for those living alone.

Quick Summary

An individual's food costs when living alone vary based on location, diet, and lifestyle, with average US spending often falling between $300 and $600 monthly, including groceries and dining out. Budgeting can help manage these expenses.

Key Points

Average Cost Varies Widely: Average monthly food spending for a single person can range from under $300 to over $600, depending on lifestyle and location.
Location Matters: Costs are highly dependent on geographic location, with expenses higher in major cities compared to lower cost-of-living areas.
Cooking vs. Eating Out: Cooking at home is significantly cheaper than eating out or ordering takeout, which can drastically increase a single person's food budget.
Single Person Challenges: Living alone often means paying higher per-unit costs for food compared to multi-person households, requiring careful shopping to avoid waste.
Strategic Planning Saves Money: Meal planning, using shopping lists, and buying non-perishables in bulk are effective strategies to reduce food costs and minimize waste.
Leverage Leftovers and Freezer: Repurposing leftovers and freezing batch-cooked meals are key tactics to ensure no food goes to waste and to keep prepared food costs low.

Factors that Influence Food Costs for a Single Person

Understanding the average food cost is a starting point, but your personal spending will be influenced by several key factors. Unlike multi-person households that can benefit from economies of scale, single individuals often face higher per-unit costs for many food items. A family might buy a large bag of rice, for example, but a single person may need smaller, more expensive packages to avoid waste.

Location and Cost of Living

Your geographical location plays a major role in how much you spend on food. Data from the US shows significant regional differences, with high-cost cities like Honolulu having much higher average food expenses than lower-cost areas in the Midwest. Inflation also impacts food prices differently across regions. For instance, in Canada, food costs have risen significantly, affecting budgets across the country, though province-to-province costs still vary. Living in a rural area with limited grocery store options versus a major city with more competition and varied market prices can also shift your budget.

Eating Habits and Dietary Choices

The type of diet you follow is a major budget driver. For example, a diet rich in organic produce, specialty items, or high-end cuts of meat will inevitably cost more than a diet centered on grains, legumes, and seasonal vegetables. The balance between cooking at home versus eating out also makes a huge difference. A single person who frequently dines out or orders takeout will spend significantly more than someone who cooks most meals at home. This was demonstrated in a Reddit thread where some singles reported monthly food expenses under $300 through careful home cooking, while others spending over $600 were eating out multiple times a week.

Comparison of Average Monthly Food Costs

To illustrate the differences in spending, here is a comparison based on different food plans and regions. Figures are estimates and vary with inflation and market fluctuations. The USDA provides a helpful framework for the US, categorizing spending into 'Thrifty', 'Low-Cost', 'Moderate', and 'Liberal' plans.


Budget Level	US (USDA Est. May 2025)	UK (Est. Sept 2025)	Canada (Est. June 2025)
Thrifty	$297–$372/month	-	~$275/month
Moderate	$386–$458/month	-	$300–$400/month
Average (incl. some eating out)	~$400–$600+	~£190.8/month	$300–$400+/month
Liberal	$493–$558/month	-	-

Practical Tips for Reducing Food Spending

Managing a food budget for one person requires intention and strategy. These tips can help you save money and reduce food waste:

Create a meal plan: Plan your meals for the week based on what you already have and what's on sale. A list will prevent impulse purchases and reduce food waste.
Shop with a list: Once your meal plan is set, create a detailed shopping list and stick to it. This simple act is one of the most effective budgeting tools.
Buy frozen and canned goods: These items have a longer shelf life and can be used in smaller portions without fear of spoilage. Stock up on frozen vegetables, fruits, and canned legumes.
Cook in batches: Cook larger portions of meals and freeze individual servings. This provides quick, homemade meals for lunches or busy evenings, reducing the temptation to eat out.
Embrace leftovers: Repurpose leftovers into new meals. Leftover roasted chicken can become chicken salad or a soup, extending the life of your ingredients.
Buy in bulk for non-perishables: For items like rice, pasta, spices, and non-perishable snacks, buying in bulk often offers a lower cost per unit. Just be mindful not to overbuy perishables unless you plan to freeze them.
Avoid the prepared foods section: Ready-to-eat meals, while convenient, are typically much more expensive than cooking from scratch.
Compare unit prices: Pay attention to the cost per ounce or pound, not just the total price. This helps you find the best value, especially when comparing different sizes or brands of products.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single answer for how much a person living alone spends on food, as the average is influenced by myriad personal and economic factors. While official estimates and national averages provide a useful benchmark, a single person's actual monthly food bill will depend heavily on their location, dietary choices, cooking frequency, and ability to minimize food waste. By implementing strategic meal planning and mindful shopping, individuals can manage their food expenses effectively and align them with their financial goals, whether they aim for a 'thrifty' or 'liberal' budget.

For more resources on creating and managing a household budget, consider exploring resources like the Family Budget Calculator offered by the Economic Policy Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to USDA estimates from May 2025, a thrifty plan for a single person in the US is approximately $297–$372 per month. This budget level requires diligent meal planning and cooking most meals from scratch.

Yes, it can be. Single households often experience higher per-unit food costs because they can't take full advantage of bulk discounts or economies of scale like larger households can.

To reduce waste, focus on meal planning, buying frozen produce that can be used over time, and cooking larger batches of meals to freeze individual portions for later.

Location can significantly impact food costs due to variations in the cost of living. For example, average grocery costs are much higher in places like Hawaii and New York than in the Midwest.

Buying in bulk is a good strategy for non-perishable items like rice, pasta, and canned goods. However, it can lead to waste for perishable items unless you have a plan to use or freeze them promptly.

A liberal food budget allows for higher-end purchases and more frequent dining out. The USDA estimated a liberal plan for a single person in the US at $493–$558 per month as of May 2025, not including significant eating out.

Key tips include: creating a weekly meal plan, shopping with a strict list, cooking in batches to freeze leftovers, avoiding the high-cost prepared food aisle, and focusing on seasonal produce.