Rising Grocery Costs Push Millions of Americans into Credit Debt

The Urban Institute released a survey conducted in December that reveals a growing reliance on credit to purchase groceries among U.S. adults aged 18 to 64. Over a third of respondents use credit cards, planning to pay the full balance, while nearly 20% can only afford the minimum payment and another 9% sometimes cannot meet that minimum. Buy-now-pay-later services are used by roughly 10% of adults, and more than one-third of those users have missed a payment.

Low- and moderate-income families are disproportionately affected, with over half depending on debt for food and frequently falling short on payments, compared with about a third of higher-income respondents. The survey also highlights a 2.7% rise in overall food prices between June 2025 and June 2026, driven largely by a 5.3% jump in fruit and vegetable costs. Researchers warn that while credit can provide short-term relief, it may erode long-term financial stability for vulnerable households.