Overall, grocery prices are up nearly 25% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, though certain items have seen even more significant upticks. This upward trend in food costs is particularly concerning for families on tight budgets, as food expenses represent a non-negotiable necessity.

Groceries account for the largest share of individual spending in a number of states where income is relatively low, or where grocery prices are especially high. However, even in regions where grocery spending constitutes a smaller portion of income, consumers still find themselves grappling with significant weekly food bills. In 37 states, consumers report weekly household grocery expenditures exceeding $250 on average.

Researchers calculated the share of total consumer spending allocated to groceries for each state, then ranked states accordingly. The full report also includes a complete breakdown of price increases for nearly 40 popular grocery store items since March 2020.

Here are the key takeaways from the report for Georgia:

• The average Georgia household spends $278 on groceries each week.

• On average, grocery spending represents 9.0% of Georgia residents’ total consumer spending.

• Overall, Georgia residents dedicate the 12th largest percentage of total consumer spending to groceries of any U.S. state.

Here are the complete results of the analysis with data on all 50 U.S. states, as well as price changes for the most popular grocery store items.