If you’re tightening the purse strings right now, you’re not alone. Many households across the US have seen their disposable income fall, leading to cutbacks on dining out and grocery spending. But a new report suggests there is still hope for budget-conscious plant-based foodies across the country.
WalletHub recently compared 100 of America’s largest cities, evaluating each one based on factors such as the number of affordable, vegan-friendly restaurants and the accessibility and cost of healthy, plant-based foods.
The key finding? We should all move to Portland.
We joke, but according to WalletHub, it is the best US city for vegans and vegetarians, thanks in part to its organic farms, community gardens, farmers’ markets, and vegetable nurseries. It also has the third-highest number of highly rated, affordable restaurants with vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a thriving plant-based population. In fact, Portland residents order meatless food 148 percent more often than the national average.
Los Angeles ranked second, with plenty of places to buy fresh, organic food and an abundance of vegan cooking classes, and events and festivals, including Vegan Street Fair and community events at Besties Vegan Paradise.
Austin came in third. According to WalletHub, vegetarian food prices are “surprisingly low” in the Texas city. It also has the sixth-highest number of affordable restaurants offering vegetarian or vegan options.
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Moving away from meat as prices continue to rise
These findings may be more significant than ever as meat becomes increasingly expensive. The cost of meat in the US is now 12 percent higher than it was last year. As a result, even some Republican politicians, who have long been critical of veganism, have recommended switching to more affordable plant-based alternatives.
“With meat prices rising significantly faster than vegetable prices, too, we may see a lot more people taking a foray into a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle in the near future,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst for WalletHub.
Experts say plant-based foods tend to be the more affordable option even outside Portland, Los Angeles, and Austin.
“While folks may perceive a vegetarian [or] vegan diet to be more costly than an omnivorous eating pattern, data tend to indicate that plant-based, and particularly vegan consumers, spend less on food than those incorporating animal products into their diets,” said Tanya M. Halliday, PhD, RD, an associate professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Health & Kinesiology.
She added: “Make a list, check for store discounts and coupons, lean on the bulk bins, shop for seasonal produce and limit reliance on ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat convenience items, and you will very likely be able to lower your grocery bill.”
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The 10 best cities in the US for vegans and vegetarians
WalletHub ranked the following as the 10 best vegan-friendly cities in the US, based on affordability, diversity, accessibility, quality, and vegetarian lifestyle:
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Portland, OR
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Los Angeles, CA
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Austin, TX
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San Francisco, CA
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Oakland, CA
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Seattle, WA
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Orlando, FL
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San Diego, CA
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Madison, WI
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Tampa, FL
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
