Last verified: November 8, 2026. By Joe Bjorklund · How we check · Report an error
Key Takeaways
- Grocery prices (food at home) in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area rose 2.1% in the year to September 2026, while restaurant prices (food away from home) rose 3.6%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Grocery inflation slowed from 3.4% over the year to February 2026 and 3.3% to July 2026 (BLS).
- USDA’s lowest-cost nutritious food plan, the Thrifty Food Plan, cost $1,024.00 a month for a reference family of four in September 2026, or $12,288 a year, as a U.S. average (USDA; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
- The maximum SNAP benefit in New York rose to $306 a month for one person and $1,023 for a household of four on October 1, 2026 (USDA).
- Most grocery food is exempt from New York sales tax, but candy, hot food and sandwiches are taxed at New York City’s 8.875% combined rate (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance).
How fast are NYC grocery prices rising?
Prices for food at home, which the BLS defines as grocery store purchases, rose 2.1% in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area from September 2025 to September 2026. Food away from home rose 3.6%, and all items rose 4.5%, pushed up by a 21.5% increase in energy prices, according to the BLS.
Grocery inflation in the area has slowed in 2026. Food-at-home prices had risen 3.4% over the year to February 2026 and 3.3% over the year to July 2026 (BLS). The New York area index covers the five boroughs plus surrounding counties in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
| 12 months ending | Food at home (groceries) | Food away from home |
|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | +1.8% | +3.1% |
| February 2026 | +3.4% | +3.5% |
| July 2026 | +3.3% | +3.6% |
| September 2026 | +2.1% | +3.6% |
How much should groceries cost per month in NYC?
USDA’s four official food plans price a nutritious diet cooked at home at different budget levels. In September 2026, the Thrifty Food Plan cost $1,024.00 a month for a reference family of four (two adults 20–50 and children 6–8 and 9–11), as a U.S. average. That is $12,288 a year, about 19% of the $64,866 median income of a New York City renter household (USDA; NYC Rent Guidelines Board; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
The plans are national averages and are not adjusted for New York City prices. USDA lists costs for individuals in four-person households and suggests adding 20% for a person who lives alone, which puts a single man 20–50 at $382.80 a month on the Thrifty plan and $478.08 on the Moderate-Cost plan (USDA; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
| Plan | Man (in 4-person household) | Man living alone (+20%) | Woman (in 4-person household) | Woman living alone (+20%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrifty | $319.00 | $382.80 | $253.90 | $304.68 |
| Low-Cost | $317.70 | $381.24 | $276.30 | $331.56 |
| Moderate-Cost | $398.40 | $478.08 | $336.40 | $403.68 |
| Liberal | $486.80 | $584.16 | $429.60 | $515.52 |
How much SNAP can a New York household get?
SNAP maximum benefits for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., which include New York, rose on October 1, 2026 for federal fiscal year 2027: $306 a month for one person, up from $298, and $1,023 for a household of four, up from $994, according to USDA. The minimum benefit for one- and two-person households is $25. Most households receive less than the maximum, because benefits fall as income rises.
In New York City, the Human Resources Administration runs SNAP. The fastest way to apply is online through ACCESS HRA, which also lets you apply for Cash Assistance and Medicaid in the same application (NYC 311).
| Household size | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
Is there sales tax on groceries in NYC?
Generally no. Food and food products sold by food stores are exempt from New York sales tax, according to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. To be exempt, food must be sold for human consumption, unheated, and in the form and packaging grocery stores commonly use.
Candy and confectionery, food sold heated, food the store prepares ready to eat, and sandwiches are taxable. In New York City the combined sales tax on those items is 8.875%. See NYC sales tax.
| Item | Sales tax in NYC |
|---|---|
| Most food sold unheated in a grocery store (produce, meat, bread, cereal, dairy) | Exempt |
| Candy and confectionery | Taxable at 8.875% |
| Food sold heated, or prepared by the store and ready to eat | Taxable at 8.875% |
| Sandwiches, hot or cold | Taxable at 8.875% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are groceries per month in NYC?
USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, its lowest-cost nutritious diet, cost $1,024.00 a month for a family of four in September 2026, and $382.80 for a man 20–50 living alone, as U.S. averages (USDA; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation for the single adult). USDA does not adjust these for New York City, and its Moderate-Cost and Liberal plans cost more.
Are grocery prices going up in NYC?
Yes, but more slowly. Grocery prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area rose 2.1% in the year to September 2026, down from 3.4% in the year to February 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Restaurant prices rose faster, 3.6% over the same year, and all prices rose 4.5%.
Is food taxed in New York City?
Most grocery food is not. New York exempts food sold by food stores when it is unheated and sold in normal grocery packaging, according to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Candy, hot food, store-prepared ready-to-eat food and sandwiches are taxable at New York City’s combined 8.875% rate. Restaurant meals are also taxable.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in New York for 2027?
From October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, the maximum SNAP benefit in New York is $306 a month for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three and $1,023 for a household of four, according to USDA. Most households get less, because the benefit falls as income rises. New York City residents apply through ACCESS HRA.
How much do restaurant prices rise compared with groceries in NYC?
In the year to September 2026, prices for food away from home in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area rose 3.6%, compared with 2.1% for groceries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Restaurant prices also outpaced groceries over the year to July 2026, rising 3.6% versus 3.3%.
Related: How much it costs to live in NYC · NYC sales tax · NYC salary calculator · NYC childcare cost · NYC health insurance costs · NYC cost index
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, New York-Newark-Jersey City — September 2026 (Oct 14, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, New York-Newark-Jersey City — July 2026 (Aug 12, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, New York-Newark-Jersey City — February 2026 (Mar 11, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, New York-Newark-Jersey City — June 2025 (July 15, 2025)
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home, September 2026 (Thrifty; Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost and Liberal) (Sept 2026)
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP – Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (Aug 21, 2026)
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Food and Food Products Sold by Food Stores and Similar Establishments (TB-ST-283) (Apr 8, 2019)
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Listings of Taxable and Exempt Foods and Beverages Sold by Food Stores (TB-ST-525) (Aug 8, 2019)
- NYC 311 / Human Resources Administration, Apply for SNAP (food stamps) in New York City (2026)
- NYC Rent Guidelines Board, 2026 Income and Affordability Study (2024 American Community Survey data) (Apr 16, 2026)