Grocery bills eat up 15% of monthly income in Tennessee, above national rate
News & Politics
Introduction
Despite a decline in inflation over recent years, a recent study reveals that residents of Tennessee are still allocating a significant portion of their paychecks to groceries. According to a study conducted by Consumer Affairs, which compared U.S. Census Bureau data from 2022 to 2023, Tennesseans are now spending approximately 2% more of their monthly income on groceries than the national average.
Local shoppers voiced their concerns about soaring grocery expenses. One shopper noted that grocery costs have become a larger part of their monthly budget, stating, "It feels like it's gone up twice as much." The statistics support this sentiment, as the study finds that American households, on average, spent nearly 6% more on groceries in 2023 compared to the previous year. In Tennessee, however, the increase was more pronounced, with residents spending about 15% of their monthly income on groceries in 2023. This figure surpasses the national average, which stands at 13.3%.
The study highlighted that many shoppers tend to frequent multiple stores in their efforts to find the best deals, only to realize that prices are comparably high across different retailers. Additionally, the report mentions that almost every state experienced a minimal increase of 1% or less in the proportion of household income devoted to groceries between 2022 and 2023.
Grocery prices remain a significant financial burden for Americans, a trend exacerbated by inflation driven by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The average monthly grocery bill in Tennessee for 2023 amounted to $ 1,175, while the average monthly income was reported as $ 7,881. Even dining out has become costly, prompting some residents to increase their grocery purchases to offset restaurant expenses.
According to Consumer Affairs, the five states with the highest grocery expenses are Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. While the study did not analyze data beyond 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that food prices in August 2024 were approximately 2% higher than they were in the same month the previous year.
Keywords
- Tennessee
- groceries
- income
- inflation
- Consumer Affairs
- U.S. Census Bureau
- grocery bills
- average monthly grocery bill
- cost of living
FAQ
Q: How much of their monthly income do Tennesseans spend on groceries?
A: Tennesseans spend about 15% of their monthly income on groceries in 2023.
Q: How does Tennessee's grocery spending compare to the national average?
A: Tennessee's grocery spending is approximately 2% higher than the national average, which is 13.3%.
Q: What has contributed to the increase in grocery prices?
A: The increases in grocery prices are largely attributed to inflation caused by economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: What was the average monthly grocery bill in Tennessee for 2023?
A: The average monthly grocery bill in Tennessee was $ 1,175 in 2023.
Q: Which states have the highest grocery costs?
A: The top five most expensive states for groceries are Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.