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Honolulu Becomes US Most Expensive City for Groceries
Honolulu, HI – August 16, 2025 – As of mid-2025, Honolulu, HI, claims the title of the most expensive city for groceries in the United States, with prices soaring more than 20% higher than in New York City, according to data from Visual Capitalist. Following closely behind, San Francisco, CA, ranks second, with grocery costs just above those in New York. In contrast, Miami, FL, offers significant savings, with groceries costing 24% less than in New York, including staples like eggs and cheese, which average about $2 cheaper per item.
The high grocery prices in San Francisco, which are approximately 44% above the national average, are driven in part by the city’s exorbitant real estate costs, which ripple through to food pricing. Nationally, food prices have climbed 2.4% since June 2024, and experts warn that President Trump’s proposed tariffs could push prices even higher. In 2024, the U.S. imported $221 billion worth of food, with liqueurs and spirits, baked goods, and coffee leading by volume, highlighting the country’s reliance on global supply chains.
In Honolulu, the challenge of being a non-contiguous state exacerbates costs, as most food must be shipped to the island. This results in eye-watering prices, such as $8.64 for a gallon of milk and $7.48 for a dozen eggs. Similarly, Alaska—though not included in this dataset—faces comparable issues due to its remote geography. With 86% of Alaskan communities disconnected from the road network, shipping costs significantly inflate the price of goods, making everyday grocery shopping a costly endeavor for residents.
| 1 | Honolulu, HI | 120.2 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | 100.1 |
| 3 | New York, NY | 100 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 95.3 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | 90.5 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | 89.8 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | 87.2 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | 85.7 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh, PA | 83.1 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | 81.8 |
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