How Much Budget Goes Toward Groceries and Gas in Every State
You’re more likely to feel the pinch of grocery and gas costs on a modest salary than if you earned six figures annually.
Key findings from a new MoneyLion study indicate states with lower median household incomes, especially those under $65,000, Americans spend a much higher percentage of their monthly income on groceries and gas compared to states where salaries are significantly higher.
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To find out how much of a budget is allotted towards groceries and gas in every state, MoneyLion sourced each state’s median household income and the average cost of gas and groceries calculated on a monthly and annual basis. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule, the total cost of living for necessities was then doubled to find each state’s comfortable cost of living. After calculating the percentage of monthly household budget spent on groceries and gas, researchers scored and weighted each percentage at 1.00 to sum and sorted states in order of lowest percentage of budget spent on gas and groceries.
Key Findings
California, Hawaii and Massachusetts were top-ranked for spending the smallest percentage of their monthly budgets on groceries and gas. People in California (3.9%) and Hawaii (4%) spend the least on groceries while income spent on gas amounts to 1.6% (Hawaii) and 1.7% (Massachusetts) each month.
People living in West Virginia and Mississippi spend the most money on monthly grocery and gas costs. West Virginians put 8.4% of their monthly income towards groceries and 3.4% to gas. In Mississippi, this breaks down to 8% spent on groceries and 3.1% on gas.
Grocery costs eat up 7% of monthly incomes in 12 U.S. states: Kentucky (7.9%), Louisiana (7.7%), Arkansas (7.6%), Oklahoma, Alabama, Iowa (each 7.5%, respectively), Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana (each 7.3%, respectively), Nebraska (7.1%), and Missouri (7%).
Grocery and gas costs disproportionately impact budgets in many Southern and Midwest states. This is likely due to these states having a lower cost of living and subsequently lower incomes. West Virginia and Mississippi, which both scored high for spending the most monthly income on gas and groceries, each have median household incomes under $60,000.
Scroll down to see how much you need to set aside every month to cover gas and grocery expenses for every state in America.
1. Hawaii
Median household income: $100,389
Annual comfortable cost of living: $206,583
Annual groceries: $8,220
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4%
Annual gas: $3,301
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.6%
2. Massachusetts
Median household income: $103,960
Annual comfortable cost of living: $156,434
Annual groceries: $6,374
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.1%
Annual gas: $2,575
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.7%
3. California
Median household income: $99,122
Annual comfortable cost of living: $170,754
Annual groceries: $6,658
Groceries (% of monthly income): 3.9%
Annual gas: $3,305
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.9%
4. New Jersey
Median household income: $103,556
Annual comfortable cost of living: $137,563
Annual groceries: $6,513
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.7%
Annual gas: $2,498
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.8%
5. New Hampshire
Median household income: $99,031
Annual comfortable cost of living: $126,039
Annual groceries: $6,041
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.8%
Annual gas: $2,421
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.9%
6. Colorado
Median household income: $95,470
Annual comfortable cost of living: $124,198
Annual groceries: $6,120
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.9%
Annual gas: $2,351
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.9%
7. Rhode Island
Median household income: $87,796
Annual comfortable cost of living: $124,725
Annual groceries: $6,259
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5%
Annual gas: $2,348
Gas (% of monthly income): 1.9%
8. Utah
Median household income: $95,166
Annual comfortable cost of living: $122,935
Annual groceries: $5,962
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.9%
Annual gas: $2,517
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.1%
9. Washington
Median household income: $98,141
Annual comfortable cost of living: $139,989
Annual groceries: $6,380
Groceries (% of monthly income): 4.6%
Annual gas: $3,103
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
10. New York
Median household income: $85,974
Annual comfortable cost of living: $122,471
Annual groceries: $6,204
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.1%
Annual gas: $2,522
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.1%
11. Connecticut
Median household income: $95,781
Annual comfortable cost of living: $119,201
Annual groceries: $6,235
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.2%
Annual gas: $2,394
Gas (% of monthly income): 2%
12. Montana
Median household income: $72,509
Annual comfortable cost of living: $114,536
Annual groceries: $6,283
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.5%
Annual gas: $2,445
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.1%
13. Maine
Median household income: $74,733
Annual comfortable cost of living: $110,477
Annual groceries: $6,120
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.5%
Annual gas: $2,336
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.1%
14. Oregon
Median household income: $83,011
Annual comfortable cost of living: $124,017
Annual groceries: $6,277
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.1%
Annual gas: $2,859
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.3%
15. Idaho
Median household income: $77,800
Annual comfortable cost of living: $114,464
Annual groceries: $6,283
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.5%
Annual gas: $2,546
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
16. Maryland
Median household income: $103,678
Annual comfortable cost of living: $114,598
Annual groceries: $6,549
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.7%
Annual gas: $2,536
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
17. Vermont
Median household income: $81,203
Annual comfortable cost of living: $107,152
Annual groceries: $6,059
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.7%
Annual gas: $2,416
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.3%
18. Virginia
Median household income: $93,170
Annual comfortable cost of living: $106,972
Annual groceries: $6,077
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.7%
Annual gas: $2,401
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
19. Delaware
Median household income: $84,954
Annual comfortable cost of living: $105,346
Annual groceries: $6,150
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.8%
Annual gas: $2,334
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
20. Arizona
Median household income: $79,964
Annual comfortable cost of living: $109,199
Annual groceries: $6,029
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.5%
Annual gas: $2,582
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
21. Alaska
Median household income: $92,788
Annual comfortable cost of living: $117,745
Annual groceries: $7,572
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.4%
Annual gas: $2,377
Gas (% of monthly income): 2%
22. Nevada
Median household income: $78,260
Annual comfortable cost of living: $114,086
Annual groceries: $6,247
Groceries (% of monthly income): 5.5%
Annual gas: $2,821
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
23. Wyoming
Median household income: $76,176
Annual comfortable cost of living: $97,333
Annual groceries: $6,029
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.2%
Annual gas: $2,158
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.2%
24. Minnesota
Median household income: $89,062
Annual comfortable cost of living: $98,705
Annual groceries: $6,005
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.1%
Annual gas: $2,242
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.3%
25. Florida
Median household income: $74,568
Annual comfortable cost of living: $105,114
Annual groceries: $6,350
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6%
Annual gas: $2,491
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
26. Georgia
Median household income: $77,353
Annual comfortable cost of living: $93,147
Annual groceries: $5,884
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.3%
Annual gas: $2,187
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
27. Wisconsin
Median household income: $77,485
Annual comfortable cost of living: $95,800
Annual groceries: $6,005
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.3%
Annual gas: $2,317
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
28. North Carolina
Median household income: $72,388
Annual comfortable cost of living: $95,306
Annual groceries: $6,114
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.4%
Annual gas: $2,271
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
29. Tennessee
Median household income: $69,595
Annual comfortable cost of living: $91,246
Annual groceries: $5,829
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.4%
Annual gas: $2,242
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
30. South Dakota
Median household income: $75,081
Annual comfortable cost of living: $91,840
Annual groceries: $5,956
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.5%
Annual gas: $2,276
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
31. New Mexico
Median household income: $64,059
Annual comfortable cost of living: $89,532
Annual groceries: $5,799
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.5%
Annual gas: $2,235
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
32. North Dakota
Median household income: $76,657
Annual comfortable cost of living: $87,189
Annual groceries: $5,781
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.6%
Annual gas: $2,206
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
33. Texas
Median household income: $78,476
Annual comfortable cost of living: $88,881
Annual groceries: $5,811
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.5%
Annual gas: $2,312
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.6%
34. Nebraska
Median household income: $76,475
Annual comfortable cost of living: $84,877
Annual groceries: $5,980
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.1%
Annual gas: $2,064
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.4%
35. South Carolina
Median household income: $69,324
Annual comfortable cost of living: $90,274
Annual groceries: $5,999
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.6%
Annual gas: $2,346
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.6%
36. Missouri
Median household income: $70,702
Annual comfortable cost of living: $82,204
Annual groceries: $5,769
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7%
Annual gas: $2,057
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.5%
37. Illinois
Median household income: $83,390
Annual comfortable cost of living: $90,877
Annual groceries: $5,986
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.6%
Annual gas: $2,430
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.7%
38. Pennsylvania
Median household income: $77,971
Annual comfortable cost of living: $89,006
Annual groceries: $5,974
Groceries (% of monthly income): 6.7%
Annual gas: $2,397
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.7%
39. Kansas
Median household income: $74,275
Annual comfortable cost of living: $78,581
Annual groceries: $5,769
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.3%
Annual gas: $2,035
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.6%
40. Ohio
Median household income: $71,389
Annual comfortable cost of living: $81,373
Annual groceries: $5,968
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.3%
Annual gas: $2,235
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.8%
41. Oklahoma
Median household income: $65,039
Annual comfortable cost of living: $75,684
Annual groceries: $5,696
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.5%
Annual gas: $2,023
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.7%
42. Michigan
Median household income: $72,875
Annual comfortable cost of living: $82,598
Annual groceries: $5,999
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.3%
Annual gas: $2,356
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.9%
43. Indiana
Median household income: $71,957
Annual comfortable cost of living: $82,024
Annual groceries: $5,944
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.3%
Annual gas: $2,365
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.9%
44. Alabama
Median household income: $63,999
Annual comfortable cost of living: $77,160
Annual groceries: $5,762
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.5%
Annual gas: $2,192
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.8%
45. Iowa
Median household income: $75,059
Annual comfortable cost of living: $78,067
Annual groceries: $5,823
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.5%
Annual gas: $2,254
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.9%
46. Arkansas
Median household income: $60,773
Annual comfortable cost of living: $75,800
Annual groceries: $5,726
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.6%
Annual gas: $2,206
Gas (% of monthly income): 2.9%
47. Louisiana
Median household income: $60,756
Annual comfortable cost of living: $75,152
Annual groceries: $5,762
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.7%
Annual gas: $2,298
Gas (% of monthly income): 3.1%
48. Kentucky
Median household income: $63,726
Annual comfortable cost of living: $78,529
Annual groceries: $6,174
Groceries (% of monthly income): 7.9%
Annual gas: $2,372
Gas (% of monthly income): 3%
49. Mississippi
Median household income: $56,447
Annual comfortable cost of living: $71,335
Annual groceries: $5,702
Groceries (% of monthly income): 8%
Annual gas: $2,225
Gas (% of monthly income): 3.1%
50. West Virginia
Median household income: $59,608
Annual comfortable cost of living: $69,850
Annual groceries: $5,835
Groceries (% of monthly income): 8.4%
Annual gas: $2,356
Gas (% of monthly income): 3.4%
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed each U.S. state to find the average cost for groceries and gasoline for the average household. For each state several factors were sourced from the U.S. Census 2024 5-Year ACS including the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and median household income. The cost-of-living index was sourced from the Missouri Economic and Research Information Center and using the national average expenditure costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost was calculated for each state. The average cost for gasoline and groceries was included, and the monthly and annual costs were calculated for each state. The single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for August 2026. Assuming a 10% downpayment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated for each state. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities was calculated for each state. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule, the total cost of living for necessities was doubled to find the comfortable cost of living. Using the monthly comfortable cost of living as well as the monthly cost for gasoline and groceries, the percentage of the comfortable monthly cost of living was calculated for each cost. The percentage of monthly household budget spent on groceries and the percentage of monthly household budget spent on gasoline were both calculated for each state and were each scored and weighted at 1.00. The scores were summed and sorted to show the lowest percentage of budget spent on gasoline and groceries. All data is up to date as of September 28th, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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