Oklahoma Food Costs Rank Among Highest in the Nation

Oklahoma Food Costs Burden Oklahoma Families

Oklahomans now face some of the highest food costs in the United States. A new national study by Consumer Affairs reveals families across the state spend nearly 12 percent of their income buying groceries. That puts Oklahoma sixth in the nation for the most burdened households trying to buy basic food every month.

The study shows that on average, households earning sixty-six thousand dollars a year spend six hundred fifty dollars monthly on groceries. Families making less than that average wage feel an even sharper strain. Groceries cost the same, whether someone earns twenty thousand dollars a year or sixty thousand dollars a year. However, in Oklahoma, a large portion of the population earns well below that average annual income level. That creates a deeper gap and greater stress inside family budgets.

Oklahoma Food Costs Outpace Wage Growth

Household wages have not kept up with rising food costs in the past three years. Families today are prioritizing groceries over many other categories. That forces many people to make difficult choices. They delay home projects. They delay car repairs. They buy fewer fresh items. They skip higher protein items. Some even skip entire food groups because they cannot absorb the rising price pressure.

National Inflation Applies More Pressure on Oklahoma

Inflation at the national level also keeps pushing food costs higher. That includes produce, frozen foods, dairy, beef, poultry, snacks, bread, eggs, and nearly every packaged good families buy each week. Oklahoma families with children feel this the most. School lunches, lunchbox fillers, snacks, and even after school meals now require more creativity and planning to stay inside a workable grocery budget.

Oklahoma Ranks Near the Top of the List

Consumer Affairs now places Oklahoma inside the top ten worst states for grocery affordability. Only five states nationwide show a heavier grocery burden. That means the cost to eat in Oklahoma is becoming more expensive than almost anywhere else in the country. For many households, this will force new adjustments heading into the holiday season, winter season and 2025 cost cycles.

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