Grocery and food prices in the US compared to Turkey: one day of work buys two weeks of food
· 3 min read
In my last post I wrote that America is not cheap: What my first four months in the US really cost. That is true for starting a new life. Fees, a car, deposits.
But food is a different story. Here, food is one of the cheapest parts of life, if you measure it the right way.
My numbers
- A big grocery trip: sometimes $120, sometimes $150 to $160
- Dinner for two at a restaurant: about $35 to $40
- A meal from a food truck or a simple place: two people can eat well for about $20
Do not measure in lira. Measure in hours.
If you convert dollars to lira, everything in America looks expensive. That is the wrong way to look at it. The right question is: how many hours do I have to work for this?
Take someone who earns $20 an hour. That is a normal wage for many jobs here.
- One day of work (8 hours, $160) pays for about two weeks of groceries.
- Two hours of work pays for dinner for two at a restaurant.
- One hour of work feeds two people at a food truck.
Now think about Turkey. There, I felt that one day of work could buy about one kilo of meat. Here, one day of work buys two weeks of food. Meat, milk, eggs: compared to what people earn, the difference with Turkey is huge.
Why it still feels expensive to me
I am honest about this too: right now, prices feel high to me. When we pay $150 at the register, it hurts a little.
The reason is simple. I am not working yet. Money only goes out. My work permit came on October 3, but I do not have a job yet. When you earn in dollars, the same $150 is one day of work. When you do not earn, it is just $150 out of your savings.
So if you are new and food feels expensive, that feeling is real. But it changes when the income starts.
What surprised me
- Meat is affordable. Compared to wages, meat here is something you can eat every day, not a special thing.
- The stores are huge, and you buy more at once. That is why one trip can be $150, but it lasts.
- Eating out is normal. A simple dinner out is not a luxury for a working family here.
- Food trucks are great. Cheap, fast and very good.
Tips for new immigrants
- Stop converting to lira in your head. Think in hours of work.
- Shop big and less often. One large trip every week or two is cheaper than many small ones.
- Look at store brands. They are often much cheaper and just as good.
- Try food trucks and simple places before restaurants.
- Plan your food budget for the months with no income. Your savings carry you until the first paycheck.
Summary
- Our grocery trips are $120 to $160. Dinner for two is $35 to $40.
- At $20 an hour, one day of work buys about two weeks of groceries.
- In Turkey, I felt one day of work bought about one kilo of meat.
- Food feels expensive when you are not working yet. That changes with a paycheck.
America is expensive to start. But once you earn here, food is one of the easy parts.
Going through the same thing? If you are stuck on this step and need help, send me a message. I read every one.
Write to me or use another email app
I am not a lawyer or an accountant. This is my own experience, written down as it happened. Rules change and every case is different, so check with the official source or a professional.