{"id":22756,"date":"2026-03-26T14:14:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/03\/26\/the-next-metric-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-is-grocery-prices\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T14:14:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:14:15","slug":"the-next-metric-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-is-grocery-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/03\/26\/the-next-metric-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-is-grocery-prices\/","title":{"rendered":"The next metric investors need to keep an eye on is&#8230; grocery prices?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"post-content\" :class=\"{ 'hidden': $store.proContent.showFullPrompt() }\">\n                            <!-- Table of contents: mobile --><\/p>\n<section class=\"px-4 relative border border-slate-200 mobile-toc lg:hidden\" x-data=\"{open:false}\">\n                    <button x-on:click=\"open = !open\" class=\"flex items-center gap-4 my-2 border-none w-full\"><br \/>\n                        <default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-6 w-6\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><default:path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M4 8h16M4 16h16\"\/><\/default:svg><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-semibold text-slate-800 text-base m-0 js-toc-ignore\">in this article<\/p>\n<p>                    <\/button><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Homeowners have more to pay than just rent and mortgage payments<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    And there are operating costs to worry about. according to a new<\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/struggle-to-pay-housing-gen-z\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    redfin<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    According to the survey, 49% of US residents are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, and the cost of living is to blame. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the heart of the issue is the rising cost of food. What is shocking in the survey is that 15% of the people surveyed said that they have completely given up food to afford housing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brian Williams, a home care worker based in Madison, Wisconsin, who is living on a salary of $17.65 an hour, said<\/span> <em><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/mar\/14\/americans-struggle-affordability-despite-trump-claims\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guardian<\/span><\/a><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: :<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;I know things are worse because I&#8217;m living it and I feel it every day. It&#8217;s so hard to make rent, pay your bills, buy food, gas, and decide who you can pay (and) who you can leave. (I) ask myself which one should I take when I know I need both, or worry about whether I&#8217;ll have enough money to get by until the second payday? Or will I have enough money to cover my light bills? Will there be enough money to pay?&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Food prices have increased 35% in five years<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">according to <\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/rent-versus-buy-2026\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">redfin<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Renters need to earn $76,020 a year to afford the average rent in the US, which is still less than the $111,252 needed to buy the average priced home. As of mid-February, the median household income is $86,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, Redfin&#8217;s figures do not factor in the cost of groceries, which are rising amid tariffs, higher fuel prices, machinery costs, labor increases and higher food production costs.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a report of <\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/finance\/learn\/price-of-food#:~:text=No%20single%20factor%20can%20explain,supplied%20by%20foreign%20trade%20partners.\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nerdwallet<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    States that prices have risen nearly 35% since 2019<\/span><em><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/14\/business\/food-prices-tariffs-trump.html\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    new York Times<\/span><\/a><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the cost of food at home has increased <\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/13\/business\/economy\/inflation-cpi-report-food-prices.html\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Overall up 2.4% over last 12 months<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Till January. Food prices rose 2.9% in January compared to last year <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is predicted<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    3.1% growth in the next year, <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guardian<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Report citing USDA data. The food insecurity rate increased to 16% in November, from 12.7% in January 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cIn the last year, the cost of materials has increased <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">moved up<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    from tariffs and labor costs <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">moved up<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    by the deportation of workers \u2013 particularly for low-wage work done by recent immigrants,&#8221; said William Masters, a food economist and professor at Tufts University in Massachusetts.<\/span> <em><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/grocery\/2026\/02\/12\/states-people-spend-most-groceries\/88641292007\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">USA today<\/span><\/a><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. &#8220;Since wages for most Americans have not risen as much as prices, purchasing power has declined.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, as cited<\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/moneywise.com\/life\/food\/grocery-prices-are-causing-major-stress-for-a-majority-of-americans-only-14-say-theyre-not-worried-at-all-is-there-any-relief-coming\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    according to money<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Only 14% of Americans say grocery prices are not a financial concern. The numbers are even higher for Gen Z and those earning less than the national average wage. For landlords, this financial strain means tenants have little wiggle room when rent and food costs remain the same.  <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"justify-center \" x-data=\"{ IabAdad_block_: popAd(('r720x90'), '1') }\" :class=\"IabAdad_block_.linkURL ? 'flex pt-8' : 'hidden'\">\n<div class=\" hidden sm:block\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"block sm:hidden\">\n          <img class=\"m-0\" :src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/IabAdad_block_.r320x50\" :alt=\"IabAdad_block_.r320x50Alt\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A crisis for landlords and tenants<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For landlords, pressure <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">increase the rent<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Driven by rising insurance, tax and material costs <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and by<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Inability to refinance amid stubborn interest rates.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    For tenants, the cost of high utility bills, gas, clothes, and, of course, food means they are being forced to make ends meet. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">lateral movement<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sell \u200b\u200bexcess stuff, or move back in with your parents, especially Gen Z renters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This means an extra layer <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Due diligence<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    This should now be applied to landlords who want to invest, maintain stable revenues and pursue aggressive rent increases for lease renewals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">access to low-cost supermarkets <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Homeowners also need to take into account proximity to nearby supermarkets when deciding where to invest. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">as of 2026<\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/news.remax.com\/press-release\/remax-survey-reveals-strong-demand-88-of-prospective-buyers-plan-to-purchase-a-home-in-2026\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    RE\/MAX SURVEY,<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Among 1,000 potential home buyers <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">beach<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    age <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Among 18-65s who plan to buy a home in the next 18 months, 57% said proximity to the purchase was an important consideration.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    It is logical to assume that the tenants felt the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This also shows that retailers with the lowest prices receive a larger incentive. A<\/span> <em><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/money\/prices-price-comparison\/most-and-least-expensive-supermarkets-a3157951568\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">consumer Reports<\/span><\/a><\/em><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/money\/prices-price-comparison\/most-and-least-expensive-supermarkets-a3157951568\/\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Study<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Looking at grocery prices across the country found that Costco ranked cheapest nationwide, at 20% less than the Walmart baseline.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whereas<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Whole Foods was about 40% more expensive than Walmart.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">State-by-State Analysis<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to a recent news <\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wallethub.com\/edu\/states-where-people-spend-the-most-least-on-groceries\/144275\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WalletHub<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    According to the survey, residents of poor states like Mississippi, West Virginia and Arkansas spend the largest share of their income on groceries, about 2.6% of their monthly income, even though food prices in those states are not the highest in the country. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explained:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;While grocery prices have risen significantly in recent years, the states where people spend the largest percentage of their income on groceries are not actually the states with the highest prices. Instead, the average income in these states is significantly lower, so even with reasonable grocery prices, residents have to spend a higher percentage of their earnings than people in states with more expensive products.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<aside class=\"my-10 xl:my-4\">\n<p class=\"font-bold mt-0 mb-4 text-xl text-slate capitalize\">You might also like<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Since food is a non-negotiable item, renters immediately notice a difference in their grocery bills. However, landlords who want to rent to tenants who are relatively unaffected by food prices will need to invest in states where home prices are generally higher, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cash flow<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Far from guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">States where groceries take up the largest share of average income each month:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mississippi: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.6%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">West Virginia:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    2.54%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Arkansas: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.44%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Louisiana: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.38%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kentucky:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    2.37%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Alabama:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    2.33%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">new Mexico: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.3%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">oklahoma: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.22%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">South Carolina: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.21%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tennessee: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2.19%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Conversely, the states that are least affected by grocery prices are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">California:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.66%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.66%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Virginia: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1.63%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Colorado:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.61%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Connecticut:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.61%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Utah:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.58%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">new Hampshire:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    1.56%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Maryland: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1.55%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">new Jersey: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1.51%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Massachusetts: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1.51%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">final thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your tenants&#8217; ability to afford groceries can seriously impact their ability to pay rent on time. Hungry children come face to face with angry landlords. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    where carefully <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tenant screening<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    comes in use. Tenants earning more with less debt and more <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">credit score<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    When it comes to leasing apartments are usually at the top of the list. You may also now consider adding people with SNAP and WIC benefits to your tenant profile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Additionally, landlords can also <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">want<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Consider incentives for tenants who pay on time or give welcome gifts <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Help reduce food costs.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    This could be as simple as a gift certificate to a local restaurant or a one-year Costco membership,<\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/costco97.com\/costco-membership-as-a-gift\/#:~:text=Can%20You%20Gift%20Memberships?,luxurious%20present%20for%20the%20recipient.\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    However rules apply<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Most forums agree that it is best to avoid incentives that could void your lease or set a bad precedent. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, a Costco gift membership that a renter might not consider on their own due to cost <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">end savings<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    They get money and help in the long run <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guarantee<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">    Your rent payment comes on time.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>in this article Homeowners have more to pay than just rent and mortgage payments, And there are operating costs to worry about. according to a new redfin According to the survey, 49% of US residents are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, and the cost of living is to blame. At the heart of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[4051,10131,1219,8709,10492,72],"class_list":["post-22756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-devotionals","tag-eye","tag-grocery","tag-investors","tag-is","tag-metric","tag-prices"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22756"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22758,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22756\/revisions\/22758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}