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If grocery store sticker shock is fading in Ohio, it is only because Buckeye State residents have gotten used to spending more than they'd like (or are truly able) to spend to feed their families these days.
The reality is inflation simply isn't letting up.
But the problem is worse in some states than others.
Disturbingly, according to WalletHub's "Cities Where People Spend the Most and Least on Groceries," three of the top ten most expensive cities in the country in which to buy groceries are in Ohio. No other state has more than one city in the top ten, out of 100 cities studied.
According to the report, Cleveland ranks second, with families spending 3.93% of their income on groceries. Toledo is fourth at 3.2% and Cincinnati is ninth at 3.05%. (Columbus is 22nd, at 2.43%).
An interesting note regarding Cleveland -- and likely the rest of Ohio -- was that researchers found not only are grocery prices a challenge, but even reasonable grocery prices wouldn't make up for the very low median household incomes there.
Authors of the report made suggestions such as "budget carefully" and "look for clearance items." But when the problem is so little money coming in for a significant number of Ohio families, that "budget carefully" can look like "decide between a grocery run and putting gas in the car," the advice isn't exactly helpful.
"In the cities where people spend the most money on groceries, residents often have low incomes on top of seeing high sticker prices on common grocery items," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "Shoppers should take advantage of sales and coupons, buy generic items and buy in bulk if possible in order to save money. It's also a good idea to use a credit card that gives a good amount of rewards on grocery purchases and pay it off in full each month."
Struggling Ohio families are likely already doing all of those things, if they can.
But when the top 25 most expensive cities in the country for families to try to do their grocery shopping includes FOUR in Ohio, it speaks to a problem here that families can do nothing to solve.
Lawmakers and economic development officials have an obligation to pursue meaningful economic diversity and expansion that will give those families not just a healthier paycheck and easier time buying groceries, but hope.