Where Do Groceries Cost the Most in America? 🛒

Key Takeaways

Honolulu, HI has the most expensive grocery costs in the nation, with prices more than 20% higher than in New York City as of mid-year 2025.
San Francisco, CA ranks in second, hovering just above New York, NY.
In Miami, FL, groceries cost 24% less than in New York, NY—with the average price of eggs and cheese being around two dollars cheaper in Miami.

Sky-High Grocery Costs

Meanwhile, grocery costs in San Francisco are about 44% more than the U.S. average, with high real estate costs contributing to pricier food costs.

Overall, U.S. food prices are 2.4% higher than in June of last year, with prices potentially jumping even more if Trump's new wave of tariffs come into effect.

In 2024, $221 billion in food was imported, with the top three by volume being liqueurs and spirits, baked goods, and coffee.

The Cost of Being Non-Contiguous

With the vast majority of food shipped in to the island, residents in Honolulu can pay as much as $8.64 for a gallon of milk and $7.48 for a dozen eggs.

Alaska (not covered in this dataset) is also well known for having higher grocery prices. Weather poses a challenge, as does the remote nature of settlements in the state. 86% of communities in Alaska are not connected to the road network, which significantly increases shipping costs on goods.