HONOLULU (KHON2) — As grocery prices keep rising across the United States, many assume Hawaiʻi tops the list for the highest costs.
Yet, a new report shows Honolulu ranks 46th amongst 100 major cities for how much residents spend on groceries. That places Honolulu nearly in the middle rather than at the top.
The study analyzed 26 common grocery items, from meat and dairy to fruits, vegetables and cleaning supplies. It compared those prices to each city’s median household income.
In Honolulu, groceries take up 2.08% of a household’s monthly income, according to the report. That puts the city well below many others where shoppers spend a larger share of their paychecks on groceries.
Let’s take a look at what the report found in the study.
Inflation and supply issues have made food shopping harder for families nationwide. The report noted that problems like bird flu have limited egg supplies and driven up prices.
Still, the numbers show that Honolulu residents, while paying high prices, spend a smaller portion of their income than many shoppers on the continent.
“In the cities where people spend the most money on groceries, residents often have low incomes on top of seeing high sticker prices on common grocery items,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst for the report.
He went on to explain further.
“Shoppers should take advantage of sales and coupons, buy generic items and buy in bulk if possible in order to save money,” Lupo added. “It’s also a good idea to use a credit card that gives a good amount of rewards on grocery purchases and pay it off in full each month.”
The report recommends starting with a budget that includes groceries first, using store loyalty programs and watching for clearance deals.
You can click here to read the full report.
Buying store-brand items and shopping in bulk can also cut costs. Careful planning, not just price checking, is key to keeping grocery bills under control in Honolulu and beyond.