The Northeast is the most expensive U.S. region for groceries.
Its comparable basket runs $58.78, about 7% more than the cheapest region, the Midwest.
How far the data goes
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes grocery average prices for four census regions — Northeast, Midwest, South and West — but not for individual metro areas, so regional is as granular as the official dollar data goes. To compare fairly, Basket Report ranks regions on a 11-item comparable basket of staples priced in all four regions.
Where it costs most
On that basis the Northeast is the most expensive region at $58.78 (+4.5% versus the national average), while the Midwest is the cheapest at $54.71 (-2.7% versus national). The gap reflects transport, local costs and which goods each region buys, not a different methodology.
Why the basket is smaller
Because each region reports a different subset of items on a bi-monthly cadence, the comparable basket is deliberately smaller than the headline 24-item national index, and its dollar figures are lower as a result — it is a like-for-like ranking, not the same number as the national basket.
Frequently asked questions
Which U.S. region has the most expensive groceries?
On the comparable 11-item basket, the Northeast is most expensive at $58.78 as of June 2026.
Does BLS publish grocery prices by city?
No. BLS average price (APU) grocery data exists only at the national level and the four census regions, not for individual metros.
Why are regional baskets cheaper than the national index?
The regional comparison uses a smaller like-for-like set of 11 items priced in every region, so its total is lower than the full 24-item national Grocery Basket Price Index by design.
Sources and methodology
- BLS CPI Average Price Data factsheet
- BLS Consumer Price Index news release
- Basket Report methodology
- Basket Report data downloads
Reviewed June 2026 · Source data is independently analyzed by Basket Report and does not imply BLS endorsement.
Compare every region
See the full regional ranking and how each area compares to the national basket.