DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Detroit has earned an unenviable distinction recently: residents spend the largest share of their income on groceries of any major city in America. The finding comes from a new WalletHub analysis comparing the prices of 26 common grocery items across 100 large U.S. cities, then weighing those costs against each city’s median household income.

Detroit ranked #1 for grocery spending as a share of income, with residents devoting nearly 3.8% of their earnings to food purchases.

It’s not the prices, it’s the paychecks.

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Surprisingly, Detroit’s grocery prices themselves are relatively middle-of-the-road. The city ranked 36th overall in average grocery prices. But with a median household income of just $39,575, the second lowest in the nation, Detroiters feel the sting of even average prices more sharply than most.

A few food items do hit harder than others. Detroit ranks 10th-highest in lettuce prices, 14th in sugar, and 17th in whole milk. Yet in other categories – like ground beef, tuna, and peaches – Motor City shoppers actually enjoy some of the nation’s lowest prices. Unfortunately, the modest savings don’t offset how much less the average Detroiter earns.

Sticker shock at the checkout line.

The WalletHub study paints a clear picture: when incomes lag far behind national averages, even routine grocery shopping can become a financial burden.

Economists note that rising food prices – particularly staples like bread, dairy, and produce – can worsen economic stress for low-income communities. Combined with inflation and stagnant wage growth, families in cities like Detroit often find themselves cutting corners in other areas just to keep the fridge stocked.