Groceries are the second-largest household expense for most Canadians after housing. Here is what Canadians are actually spending in 2026.
Average monthly grocery costs by household size
| Household |
Monthly Cost |
Annual Cost |
| Single person |
$350–$500 |
$4,200–$6,000 |
| Couple |
$600–$900 |
$7,200–$10,800 |
| Family of 3 |
$850–$1,200 |
$10,200–$14,400 |
| Family of 4 |
$1,000–$1,500 |
$12,000–$18,000 |
| Family of 5+ |
$1,200–$1,800 |
$14,400–$21,600 |
These ranges reflect moderate spending — not the cheapest possible budget, and not premium/organic shopping. Most families fall somewhere in the middle.
Average grocery costs by province
| Province |
Single Person (Monthly) |
Family of 4 (Monthly) |
| BC |
$400–$550 |
$1,100–$1,600 |
| Alberta |
$350–$480 |
$950–$1,400 |
| Saskatchewan |
$330–$450 |
$900–$1,350 |
| Manitoba |
$330–$450 |
$900–$1,350 |
| Ontario |
$370–$500 |
$1,000–$1,500 |
| Quebec |
$330–$460 |
$900–$1,350 |
| New Brunswick |
$340–$470 |
$950–$1,400 |
| Nova Scotia |
$350–$480 |
$950–$1,400 |
| PEI |
$340–$470 |
$950–$1,400 |
| Newfoundland |
$370–$510 |
$1,000–$1,500 |
| Northern communities |
$500–$800+ |
$1,400–$2,500+ |
Why prices vary by province
| Factor |
Impact |
| Distance from distribution centres |
Northern/remote areas pay 30-100% more |
| Provincial competition |
More grocery chains = lower prices |
| Local agriculture |
Prairie provinces benefit from local production |
| Carbon tax on transportation |
Increases cost of shipped goods |
| Currency / import costs |
Western provinces rely more on US imports |
Average cost of common grocery items
| Item |
Average Price (2026) |
| Milk (4L bag) |
$6.00–$7.50 |
| Bread (white, sliced) |
$3.50–$4.50 |
| Eggs (12 large) |
$4.50–$6.00 |
| Chicken breast (per kg) |
$14.00–$18.00 |
| Ground beef (per kg) |
$12.00–$16.00 |
| Rice (2 kg bag) |
$5.00–$8.00 |
| Apples (per kg) |
$4.00–$6.00 |
| Bananas (per kg) |
$1.80–$2.50 |
| Cheddar cheese (400g) |
$6.00–$8.00 |
| Butter (454g) |
$5.50–$7.00 |
| Pasta (900g) |
$2.50–$4.00 |
| Canned tomatoes (796mL) |
$2.00–$3.50 |
| Cereal (family size) |
$5.50–$8.00 |
| Frozen vegetables (750g) |
$3.00–$5.00 |
Grocery costs by city
| City |
Single Person (Monthly) |
Notes |
| Toronto |
$400–$530 |
Premium pricing, higher food costs |
| Vancouver |
$420–$550 |
Most expensive major city for groceries |
| Calgary |
$360–$480 |
No PST helps |
| Edmonton |
$350–$470 |
Slightly cheaper than Calgary |
| Montreal |
$340–$460 |
Lower cost, good ethnic grocery options |
| Ottawa |
$370–$490 |
Mid-range |
| Winnipeg |
$330–$440 |
Among the cheapest major cities |
| Halifax |
$360–$480 |
Higher shipping costs for imports |
Groceries and taxes
Basic groceries are zero-rated (0% tax) across Canada. This includes:
- Fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish
- Dairy products, eggs, bread, cereal, pasta, rice
- Canned goods, flour, sugar, cooking oil
Items that are taxed (5-15% depending on province):
- Prepared foods, deli items, restaurant-style items
- Carbonated drinks, candy, chips, snack foods
- Alcohol
How to save money on groceries
| Strategy |
Typical Savings |
| Use flyer apps (Flipp, Reebee) |
10-20% |
| Price match at stores that allow it |
5-15% |
| Buy store brands vs name brands |
20-30% |
| Shop at discount grocers (No Frills, FreshCo, Maxi) |
15-25% vs premium stores |
| Buy in bulk (Costco membership) |
10-20% on staples |
| Meal plan and make a list |
Reduces food waste (saves $50-100/month) |
| Shop seasonal produce |
30-50% cheaper than out-of-season |
| Use cash-back grocery credit cards |
2-4% back |
Monthly savings comparison
| Shopping Approach |
Single Person Monthly |
| Premium stores, no planning |
$550+ |
| Regular stores, some planning |
$400–$450 |
| Discount stores + flyers + meal planning |
$300–$350 |
| Extreme budget (bulk + seasonal + batch cooking) |
$250–$300 |
Best grocery credit cards
Using a grocery-specific credit card can save $200-500+/year:
| Card Type |
Typical Grocery Earn Rate |
| Premium grocery cards |
4-5% cash back |
| General cash-back cards |
1-2% cash back |
| Points cards (Scene+, PC Optimum) |
3-5% equivalent |
At $500/month in groceries, a 4% cash-back card earns $240/year.
Food waste and its cost
The average Canadian household wastes approximately $1,100/year in food. Reducing food waste is one of the most effective ways to lower your grocery bill:
- Plan meals before shopping — only buy what you will use
- Use your freezer — freeze bread, meat, and leftovers before they expire
- Understand date labels — “best before” is about quality, not safety
- First in, first out — move older items to the front of the fridge
- Repurpose leftovers — soups, stir-fries, and casseroles use up odds and ends