Eating Organic Could Cost Over $100 More per Month. Is It Worth It?

A lot of people are willing to push the boat out a little to afford organic produce. The thinking is that organic food, which is grown without many harmful pesticides, will be healthier, more nutritious, and better for the environment. But as households look for ways to save money on groceries, it's worth questioning whether it's worth shelling out that extra cash -- especially as our calculations showed the additional cost can be significant for your personal finances.

Organic produce can cost almost 40% more

Price comparisons on groceries are always difficult because there are so many variables. For example, it's not really fair to compare Dave's Killer White Bread with Walmart's Great Value White Round Loaf as they are very different products. And, to muddy the waters further, packages aren't always the same sizes.

All the same, we took a handful of common products and compared the organic and non-organic prices on Walmart.com. The research showed there can be a dramatic price difference between organic and non-organic food, especially on staples like eggs, bread, and rice. Overall, the organic basket was 38% more expensive than the non-organic one.

My old math teacher would shudder at this calculation, but we're in the land of hypothetical spending, so roll with me. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average American household spends $5,259 a year on food at home. That's about $438 a month. If we apply the 38% difference to the average American's grocery spend, an organic-only shop might cost over $600. My very rough back-of-the-envelope estimate would mean organic shoppers could spend over $160 more at the till every month.

The cost of organic vs. non-organic products at Walmart

Methodology-wise, we took the lowest-cost non-organic product when there were several options. And when package sizes didn't match, we used the price per ounce to match the non-organic package to the organic one.

Is it worth buying organic?

With such a big price difference on some products, it's worth looking into the reasons for buying organic in more detail. If a product has been certified organic by the USDA, it means farmers rely on biologically based farming methods as much as possible. Animals raised for organic meat cannot be given antibiotics and hormones. As a result, organic farming is viewed as a more environmentally sustainable way to produce food.

Health-wise, the desire to reduce your family's exposure to pesticides, hormones, and other chemicals is understandable. There are various studies that tout the health benefits of going organic. For example, one study by East Tennessee State University showed that organic produce contained lower concentrations of heavy metals.

Even so, a Harvard Health Publishing article says, "There isn't clear evidence that organic foods are also healthier for people." It cites one French study that showed the risk of cancer in people with the highest consumption of organic foods was reduced by 25%. However, it stressed that more research is needed, as it's hard to prove cause and effect and pointed to issues with the study's methodology.

You can find scientists on both sides of the organic debate. Our diets are so varied that it isn't easy to prove whether one single food production factor is better for us. Ultimately, many people who opt for organic do so because they instinctively feel they'd rather put fewer chemicals into their bodies. One thing we do know is that eating fruit and vegetables -- organic or not -- is good for us. Don't skip them altogether, even if you can't afford the organic option.

Reducing the cost of organic shopping

If you're looking to reduce the impact that organic foods have on your bank account, you might opt to buy organic for some, but not all, of your groceries. For example, produce with thin skins are more likely to be high in pesticides. In contrast, products like avocados, onions, and kiwis with thick, peelable skins are less likely to contain pesticide residues.

Every year, the Environmental Working Group publishes a list of fruit and vegetables that are most contaminated with pesticides, pushing them up people's organic lists. Here's its "dirty dozen" for 2023:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens
4. Peaches
5. Pears
6. Nectarines
7. Apples
8. Grapes
9. Bell and hot peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green beans

Seasonal produce is your friend when it comes to cutting costs and still eating healthfully. Farmers markets can sometimes be cheaper than grocery stores, but it depends on where you live and what you buy. One advantage of markets is being able to talk to producers directly about what chemicals they use. You may find food that's been produced with limited pesticide use, even if it's not certified as organic.

Bottom line

With any type of grocery shopping, price comparisons can be powerful. Shop around to find the best deals and be selective about which organic products you buy. Use rewards credit cards and cash back apps to help you earn points or rewards on all your grocery spending. And if you can't afford to only eat organic, be selective. Prioritize organic options on produce containing particularly high levels of pesticides, but don't skip fruit and vegetables altogether.