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These Are the Best and Worst US Cities for Foodies on a Budget

Staff Report

Thursday, February 15th, 2018

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.

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.