Detroit Tops U.S. in Income Spent on Groceries

Grocery shopping in Michigan isn't what it used to be. As cliché as it may sound (cue the "Back in my day..." speech), you used to leave Meijer with a full cart for under a hundred bucks. Today, that will barely get you coffee, milk, and a sympathetic look from the attendant overseeing the self-checkout pen. If you've felt the pinch, you're not alone. A fresh WalletHub study has revealed that Detroit, Michigan, ranks #1 in the nation for the highest percentage of income spent on groceries.

RELATED: Dear Michigan Grocery Store, Please Stop Moving Things Around

This means that nobody in America is forking over more of their paycheck to feed their families than Detroiters. Not even Cleveland—and that's saying something.

It’s Not the Price—it’s the Paycheck

It's not that Detroit grocery prices are through the roof—they're actually in the middle of the pack, according to the study. Nor is it because Motown residents are eating more food than the rest of the country. The real reason? Detroiters paychecks are among the smallest in America.

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Detroit's median household income, which the State of Michigan reports is $38,100, is the second lowest in the country. So even if groceries aren't outrageously priced, they eat up a bigger piece of a tiny budget.

Which Items Are Pushing the Pain?

Detroit has the 10th highest price for lettuce, the 14th highest for sugar, and the 17th highest for whole milk in the country. Still, low wages, inflation, and a rising cost of living have teamed up to make "grabbing a couple of things from the store" feel like applying for a loan.

The Bigger Picture Across U.S. Cities

Curious what cities feel Detroit's pain? Read on for the complete countdown of the Top 22 Cities Spending the Most on Groceries in America.