Anyone who’s been to the supermarket lately knows food costs have climbed in recent years. If you’ve felt the squeeze at the checkout, you’re not imagining it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of food rose by roughly three percent in the year ending December 2025. It’s a mild uptick compared to recent volatility, yet prices still sit well above what they were just a few years back. Some cities now see shoppers paying up to nearly one third more than the national average just to keep their kitchens stocked. Geography, labor costs, and how far your groceries travel all play a role in determining what you’ll pay. Here’s the thing: where you live can determine whether filling your fridge feels manageable or downright painful.
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