Did you know that one of best states to find cheap groceries is Texas? Did you also know that just about every state has a cheap grocery store available to them?
I’m asked all the time how to find cheap groceries nationwide, especially when a reader has to move to a different part of the U.S. Unless they are moving to Texas (wassup H.E.B. and all of its awesomeness), this can be a loaded answer.
Cheapest Grocery Store Search
One of the easiest ways to figure out if you have a cheap grocery store in the area is to look at your cost of living. If cost of living is high, there’s definitely a grocery store in your area that offers great grocery deals.
Discount grocery stores like ALDI, Save-A-Lot, Gordon Food Service and Smart & Final and great places to find cheap groceries. Interesting enough, most of these places are located in high cost of living states and cities.
Check Non-Sale Prices
Can you afford to shop at your local grocery store without having to depend on sales? This is a great indicator of it being an affordable store. If the grocery chain can provide prices that fit within your grocery budget without having to discount or offer mid-week deals, then it’s a prime candidate for your cheap grocery stores in your area.
{Related: How To Check Eggs At The Grocery Store}
Pay Attention To Protein
I think one of the reasons Texas is full of cheap cities for family groceries is protein. There are tons of farms located within Texas, so most of the proteins they eat (whether it’s animal or plant) are located right in the state.
Also, states surrounding Texas tend to benefit from this somewhat local protein. If you aren’t anywhere near the middle of the country, still pay attention to the prices of protein.
East coast folks: see how much chicken is within your local grocery stores. You have a few great protein centered companies in your area, like Perdue, so chicken shouldn’t cost you a ton of money. Affordable protein equals cheap groceries.
Price Comparison is Key
Back in the day, I used to keep a price list. The price list had the cost of our family’s grocery staples at every local grocery store. I kept track of when those items typically went on sale at each store, so I could stock up on them and have enough to last until the next sale.
I suggest you create your own price list to help identify the cheap groceries in your area. Yes, it’s tedious, but this will be the big key to you finding the cheapest groceries, as well as make sure you always keep your family staples on hand.
One of the biggest tips to keeping your grocery budget low is to stock up on your staples when they are at their lowest price. It’s like playing the grocery store stock market. Buy low, keep your savings high.
