Grocery Budget by Family Size Calculator
Example: Number of adults: 2 people · Number of children: 2 people · Weekly grocery spend per adult: 90 $ · Child cost vs adult: 70 %
| Weekly grocery budget | $306 |
| Monthly grocery budget | $1,326 |
| Annual grocery budget | $15,912 |
Worked example
Take a family of two adults and two kids, budgeting $90 per adult per week and counting each child at 70% of an adult. The two adults come to $180, the two children add $126 (2 x $90 x 70%), for a weekly grocery budget of about $306. Over a year that is roughly $15,900, or about $1,326 a month. Dropping the per-adult figure to $75 to match the USDA thrifty plan would bring the weekly budget to about $255.
Frequently asked questions
What should I use for per-adult weekly spending?
The USDA publishes four monthly food-at-home plans — thrifty, low-cost, moderate, and liberal. Dividing the adult figure by about 4.3 gives a weekly per-adult number. A thrifty plan lands near $75 a week per adult and a moderate plan closer to $110. Pick the level that matches how you actually shop and cook.
Why count children at less than a full adult?
Younger children simply eat smaller portions, so treating each child as a full adult overstates the budget. The default of 70% is a reasonable blend across ages; raise it toward 90% for teenagers, who often eat as much as or more than adults, and lower it for toddlers.
Does this include eating out?
No. This figure is groceries — food at home only. Restaurant meals, coffee, and takeout are a separate line in most household budgets and are typically far more expensive per meal, so track them on their own rather than folding them in here.
How do I bring the number down?
The biggest levers are planning meals around a set list, buying store brands, cooking from scratch, reducing waste, and building meals around cheaper proteins. Re-run this tool with a lower per-adult figure to set a stretch target, then adjust habits to hit it.