Best and Worst US Cities for Foodies on a Budget
Las Vegas and Long Beach, Calif. are the best cities to live if you are looking for affordable food options, found a new study by personal finance website GOBankingRates.
According to the study, Seattle is the worst city for foodies on a budget. The city has the fifth-highest cost of groceries in the country, and 16.45 percent of residents have low access to grocery stores. The cost of a three-course meal runs at about $65 per person.
For more details on methodology and to view the full study, please visit: Most and Least Affordable Cities for Foodies
Best Cities for Food Affordability
1. Las Vegas
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $284.56
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $15.00
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 10.57 percent
2. Long Beach
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $355.60
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $15.00
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 6.34 percent
3. Phoenix
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $264.23
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $13.50
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 13.39 percent
Worst Cities for Food Affordability
1. Seattle
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $393.76
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $15.00
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $65.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 16.45 percent
2. New Orleans
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $338.69
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $18.00
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $59.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 16.8 percent
3. Minneapolis
- Average cost of groceries (monthly): $388.40
- Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: $15.00
- Average cost of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00
- Percent population with low access to grocery stores: 26.62 percent
Additional Insights
- Portland ranks No. 5 on the list of best cities for foodies. Although Portland’s groceries aren’t cheap (an average cost of $353.19 per month), fewer than 10 percent of residents have low access to grocery stores.
- If you are looking to dine out, Dallas offers many affordable restaurant options. The average inexpensive meal out runs only $12, and a mid-tier, three-course meal averages $50 per person.
