Grocery Cost by Age and Sex
On the USDA moderate-cost plan, an illustrative one-person adult household costs about $441 a month (September 2026). Costs are highest for teenagers and adult men and lower for young children and older adults; larger households pay less per person.
A moderate-cost grocery budget is about $441/month for one adult (USDA, September 2026). Thrifty plans run lower and liberal plans higher, and per-person cost falls as household size rises.
- Moderate plan, 1 adult~$441/mo
- Thrifty plan, 1 adult~$344/mo
- Liberal plan, 1 adult~$550/mo
- Household of 4 (moderate)~$1,470/mo
Source: USDA — Official Food Plans, Cost of Food at Home, September 2026
What the USDA food plans measure
The USDA publishes four food-at-home cost levels — thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal — by age and sex, updated monthly. They estimate the cost of a nutritious diet prepared at home and exclude restaurant meals and non-food grocery items. Values are for individuals; the USDA applies household-size adjustments (a one-person household adds about 20%, while larger households save on a per-person basis).
Monthly moderate-cost groceries per person (four-person household basis)
| Group | Approx. monthly |
|---|---|
| Child 1 | $185.70 |
| Child 2–3 | $207.20 |
| Child 9–11 | $349.70 |
| Teen male 14–19 | $403.50 |
| Adult female 20–50 | $336.40 |
| Adult male 20–50 | $398.40 |
| Female 71+ | $329.80 |
| Male 71+ | $364.30 |
USDA September 2026 moderate-cost monthly amounts per person in a four-person household. Add 20% for a one-person household; the calculator applies the adjustment once to the adult female/male base average of $367.40.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average grocery cost for one person?
About $441 a month on the USDA moderate-cost plan (September 2026). Thrifty budgets run closer to $250 and liberal budgets around $420.
Why do men and teenagers cost more to feed?
USDA plans scale with calorie needs, which are highest for teenage boys and adult men and lower for young children and older adults.
Do bigger households pay more per person?
No — per-person cost falls as household size rises. The USDA adds about 20% for a one-person household and applies smaller adjustments as size increases.
Does this include eating out?
No. The USDA food plans measure food prepared at home only. Restaurant and takeout spending is separate.
Sources & methodology
Sources: USDA — Official Food Plans, Cost of Food at Home, September 2026.
Plan levels are from USDA September 2026. The illustrative one-adult moderate amount is NumberBench’s calculation: ($336.40 female + $398.40 male) / 2 × 1.20 = $440.88. The adult-only household calculator uses the unadjusted $367.40 base before applying one household-size factor. Household totals use the USDA economy-of-scale adjustments and are NumberBench calculations.
Last checked October 2026 · Refreshed monthly with the USDA Cost of Food at Home release.