Food prices in the New York City metro area have surged 56.2% over the past decade—outpacing both national inflation and local income growth—according to a new report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The sharp rise has pushed more low-income families into food insecurity, and DiNapoli warns the problem could worsen due to federal cuts and tariffs.
Low-income households spend up to 70% of income on food
While the average NYC household spent 12.5% of its budget on food in 2022–23, that number skyrocketed among the poorest residents. Households earning less than $15,000 a year spent nearly 70% of their income on food—up 16 percentage points in just four years.
By contrast, households making over $200,000 saw only a 0.7-point increase. This widening gap highlights how rising grocery prices are disproportionately burdening the city’s most vulnerable.
Food prices rose faster than income
From 2012–13 to 2022–23, food prices in the New York metro area rose 56.2%, while household income grew just 52%. Groceries were the main driver, with “food at home” costs jumping 65.8% compared to 48.8% nationally.
Pandemic-era inflation was particularly severe. In 2021–22 alone, NYC food prices rose 8.8%—the largest annual increase in over 40 years. Although food inflation slowed to 1.8% in 2023–24, the damage to household budgets remains.
Food insecurity up statewide, especially in NYC
Between 2020 and 2022, food insecurity affected 11.3% of New York households—about 875,000 families. More than 1.2 million food-insecure residents live in New York City.
The Bronx had the city’s highest rate of food insecurity at 20.2% in 2022, while Staten Island had the lowest at 11.5%. Food deserts in parts of the Bronx, Queens, and Harlem compound the problem, limiting access to fresh, affordable food.
Federal program cuts could make things worse
The report warns that federal cost-cutting measures—such as the end of expanded SNAP benefits and funding cancellations for food bank programs—are making food insecurity worse just as families face higher costs.
Ongoing tariffs on imported food items could also increase prices further, especially for meals purchased outside the home.
DiNapoli calls for state and local action
Comptroller DiNapoli urged state and city leaders to expand access to affordable, high-quality food. “Higher food costs have hit household budgets in New York City hard,” he said. “Now the implementation of tariffs and potential cuts to federal food and other support programs may exacerbate the problem.”
He emphasized the importance of protecting and expanding local food programs to prevent more families from going hungry.
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