8-21-2024 9:18am

New Mexican Households Spend Approx. 6.82% of their Annual Salary on Groceries

Chris Edwards Editor

A new analysis has analyzed each state's annual grocery expenditure as a percentage of its residents' take-home pay.
New Mexicans spend 6.82% of their take-home pay on groceries, 1.31% above the national average.
New Mexico ranks second in the study as the state spending most of their salary on groceries.

New data reveals which residents devote the highest percentage of their annual income to groceries, with New Mexico ranking second at 6.82%.

Conducted by coupon site Coupons4Real.com, the research analyzed average household take-home pay in each state alongside annual grocery expenditures. This analysis revealed the percentage of income each state spends on groceries.

New Mexicans spend a total of 6.82% of their household take-home pay on grocery shops, amounting to $4,531 per annum and ranking them second in the study. In the state capital, Santa Fe, a kilogram of white rice, chicken fillets, and apples would cost a total of $16.57 on average.

Commenting on the findings, Panayotis Nikolaidis, CEO and Founder of Savings United, commented:

"Grocery bills can quietly drain finances. It's easy to overlook how much food costs, especially when living in states like New Mexico. What might seem like a minor expense in isolation can, over time, erode savings and limit financial flexibility."

"To avoid overspending, plan meals, make lists, and stick to them. Compare prices across stores, opt for store brands and buy in bulk for staples but avoid impulse purchases. Utilize coupons and loyalty programs and consider meal prepping to reduce waste and costs. By being mindful and strategic, you can protect your wallet without sacrificing nutrition."

States with the Highest Grocery Costs per Incom

Idahoans allocate the highest percentage of their household's take-home pay to groceries, spending 7.44% annually, or approximately $4,859. This equates to nearly $93 per week, with Albertsons being the most popular grocery store in the state. In Boise, you will find a loaf of white bread for $3.22, 1 kilogram of apples for $4.84, and a dozen eggs for $3.14 on average.

Which State Spends Most of their Salary on Groceries

Rank	State	Percentage of Salary	Total Annual Cost
1	Idaho	7.44%	$4,859
2	New Mexico	6.82%	$4,531
3	Hawaii	6.81%	$5,886
4	Montana	6.60%	$4,827
5	Maine	6.53%	$4,614
6	Arizona	6.48%	$4,770
7	Alaska	6.37%	$5,970
8	Oregon	6.36%	$5,042
9	Nevada	6.27%	$4,784
10	West Virginia	6.19%	$3,836

New Mexico ranks second in grocery spending as a percentage of income, with residents allocating 6.82% of their take-home pay, or approximately $4,531 annually. This is 30% higher in Hawaii at $5,886, where grocery expenses account for 6.81% of household income. Montana residents spend 6.6% of their income on groceries, amounting to around $4,827, while Mainers allocate 6.53%, spending approximately $4,614 per year.

Arizona places sixth in the ranking, spending 6.48% of take-home pay, followed by Alaska with 6.37%, Oregon with 6.36%, Nevada with 6.27%, and West Virginia with 6.19%.

States with the Lowest Grocery Costs per Income

Maryland residents allocate the smallest portion of their household income to groceries, at just 4.20%. This equates to roughly $4,260 annually, or approximately $80 per week, with Giant Food being named the most popular grocery store in the state. In Baltimore, a typical shopping basket includes bananas at $2.12 per kilogram, milk at $1.07 per liter, and lettuce at $2.17 per head.

Which State Spends Least of their Salary on Groceries

Rank	State	Percentage of Salary	Total Annual Cost
1	Maryland	4.20%	$4,260
2	Virginia	4.32%	$3,950
3	North Dakota	4.45%	$3,793
4	Minnesota	4.50%	$3,898
5	Delaware	4.64%	$4,044
6	Texas	4.67%	$3,722
7	New Hampshire	4.77%	$4,664
8	Illinois	4.80%	$3,910
9	Connecticut	4.82%	$4,550
10	Massachusetts	4.84%	$4,787

Grocery bills take a smaller bite out of Virginians' wallets than most other states, with residents spending just 4.32% of their take-home pay on food. This translates to approximately $3,950 annually. North Dakotans spend slightly more, allocating 4.45% of their income to groceries, totaling around $3,793 annually. Minnesota and Delaware residents fall in the same ballpark, with grocery expenses consuming 4.50% and 4.64% of their respective incomes.

Texas follows next, spending 4.67% of take-home pay, followed by New Hampshire at 4.77%, Illinois at 4.80%, Connecticut at 4.82%, and Massachusetts at 4.84%.