Seattle grocery price national comparisons (with data)

I see posts sometimes complaining about groceries prices in Seattle and claiming they’re dramatically higher than they are nationally. Whenever I’ve actually looked into the claim though the results seem to point to Seattle prices being pretty comparable to other urban markets.

I decided to recheck my past results with a top-level post. To be as neutral as possible, I compared grocery prices for the last two dinners I cooked (pork kebabs and grilled chicken and veggies, plus sides). I used what appear to be mid-market stores with online shopping for easy comparison. Results are below for Seattle (Fred Meyer – Ballard), Houston (HEB), Minneapolis (Cub Grocery), and Boston (Star Supermarket). The particular stores are just random stores in the metros. I picked the non-value pack lowest price equivalent item throughout.

Pork chops (boneless):

• Seattle: $4.00/lb

• Houston: $4.69/lb

• Minneapolis: $4.99/lb

• Boston: $4.49/lb

Chicken breast:

• Seattle: $2.99/lb $3.99/lb (prior data was value pack)

• Houston: $3.63/lb

• Minneapolis: $3.99/lb

• Boston: $3.99/lb

Pineapple (whole):

• Seattle: $2.99 each

• Houston: $3.62 each

• Minneapolis: $3.99 each

• Boston: $3 each

Broccolini:

• Seattle: $0.35/oz

• Houston: $0.86/oz

• Minneapolis: $0.83/oz

• Boston: $0.50/oz

Zucchini:

• Seattle: $1.49/lb

• Houston: $1.44/lb

• Minneapolis: $1.99/lb

• Boston: $1.67/lb

Pearled barley:

• Seattle: $2.39/lb

• Houston: $2.79/lb

• Minneapolis: $2.69/lb

• Boston: $1.99/lb

Black beans:

• Seattle: $0.89/can

• Houston: $0.89/can

• Minneapolis: $1.49/can

• Boston: $1.29/can

Red potatoes:

• Seattle: $1.29/lb

• Houston: $1.54/lb

• Minneapolis: $1.99/lb

• Boston: $1.29/lb

Sweet onion:

• Seattle: $1.39/lb

• Houston: $1.54/lb

• Minneapolis: $1.79/lb

• Boston: $1.49/lb

So there you have it. Perhaps this isn’t the best comparison for other markets – I don’t know where people typically shop in Boston, say, but I know at least HEB is ubiquitous for Houston.

Seattle is expensive in a lot of ways. Housing is expensive. Restaurants are expensive. Grocery prices though? I’m just not seeing it. Seattle seems pretty comparable to other urban markets