SEATTLE — If it feels like groceries have become increasingly expensive in western Washington, new data appears to back up those perceptions.
Washington has the fourth-highest average weekly grocery bill among the 48 contiguous U.S. states, according to an analysis of Census data by HelpAdvisor. Alaska and Hawaii were not included in the report.
The study found that Washington households are spending an average of $287.67 on groceries each week. Ahead of Washington on the list are California ($297.72), Nevada ($294.76) and Mississippi ($290.64). HelpAdvisor found that the national weekly average was $270.21.
More locally, Seattle households on average spend the sixth-most per week on groceries among major metro areas. At an average of $289.23, Seattle is behind Miami ($327.89), Houston ($302.65), Riverside ($300.50), San Francisco ($298.44) and Los Angeles ($295.33).
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit this week in King County that is attempting to block a merger between national grocery chain giants Kroger and Albertsons.
Though the companies have claimed the merger would increase competition and lower prices, the AG's office is arguing it would actually give Kroger a near monopoly in some Washington communities. Kroger and Albertsons own more than 50% of the grocery stores in Washington state, according to the AG's office, operating more than 300 locations. Kroger is also the owner and operator of brands like Fred Meyer and QFC, while Albertsons owns Safeway and Haggen. Washington would be one of the states most impacted by the merger.
The states spending the least on average for weekly groceries were Wisconsin ($221.46), Iowa ($227.32) and Nebraska ($235.12).