Food

Should I use grocery delivery?

Calculate if Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or store delivery is worth it compared to shopping yourself based on time, fees, and impulse buying.

By ShouldICalc Team

Updated January 2025 · See our methodology

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Annual Savings

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5-Year Savings

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Break Even

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Trade-offs to Consider

Every decision has pros and cons. Here's what to weigh:

Money

Fees and tips add $10-20 per order, plus possible price markups. But you might buy less impulsively. Net cost varies by person.
Time

Save 1-2 hours per trip. That's 4-8+ hours/month. But dealing with substitutions and missing items takes some time.
Quality

Someone else picks your produce and meat. Quality varies by shopper. You lose control over selection.
Convenience

Shop from your couch. Deliveries arrive at your door. But you need to be home (or have secure delivery).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does grocery delivery really cost?

Most services charge $5-10 per delivery plus a tip (15-20% or $5+ per order). Some items are marked up 10-20% over store prices. Monthly memberships ($10-15) waive delivery fees. Total extra cost: $15-30 per order typically.

Is Instacart worth it?

Instacart charges delivery fees ($4-8), service fees ($2-5), and tips. Many items are 10-20% above store prices. Instacart+ ($99/year) eliminates delivery fees on orders over $35. Worth it if your time is worth $20+/hour.

Do I spend less with grocery delivery?

Many people actually spend less because they avoid impulse purchases. No walking by tempting displays or hungry shopping. But some find they order more frequently for convenience items. Track your spending to know for sure.

Which grocery delivery service is cheapest?

Walmart+ and Amazon Fresh typically have the lowest markups (little to none). Instacart and store-specific apps mark up prices. Costco delivery through Instacart has 5-10% markup. Compare prices before ordering.

The Real Cost of Grocery Delivery: Convenience vs Wallet

Grocery delivery exploded during the pandemic and stuck around for good reason—it’s genuinely convenient. But is it worth the extra cost?

Understanding the True Cost of Delivery

Grocery delivery isn’t just about the delivery fee. Here’s everything you actually pay:

Direct Costs:

Delivery fee: $4-10 per order
Service fees: $2-5 per order
Tip: $5-20 per order (15-20% is standard)
Subtotal: $11-35 per order

Hidden Costs:

Price markup on items: 10-20% at some services
Minimum order requirements: $35-50 typically
Peak pricing during busy times
Subscription fees ($99-139/year for some)

On a $120 order:

Item markup (if 15%): +$18
Delivery fee: +$6
Service fee: +$3
Tip: +$10
True cost: $157 vs $120 = 31% more

The Time Value Calculation

But you’re buying time. Let’s quantify it:

Time spent shopping in person:

Driving to store: 15-30 minutes
Shopping: 30-60 minutes
Checkout/loading: 10-15 minutes
Drive home and unload: 15-25 minutes
Total: 70-130 minutes per trip

Time spent ordering delivery:

Making list/ordering online: 15-25 minutes
Receiving/organizing delivery: 5-10 minutes
Total: 20-35 minutes per delivery

Time saved per trip: 50-100 minutes

If your time is worth $30/hour:

1.5 hours saved = $45 of time value
Extra cost of delivery: $35
Net benefit: $10 in your favor

Comparing Grocery Delivery Services

Instacart:

Widest store selection (local grocers, Costco, etc.)
Highest markups (10-20%)
Instacart+ ($99/year) removes delivery fees on $35+ orders
Best for: Store variety and same-day delivery

Amazon Fresh:

Minimal markups on most items
Free delivery for Prime members on $100+ orders
Limited selection compared to supermarkets
Best for: Prime members with larger orders

Walmart+:

Free delivery on $35+ orders ($98/year membership)
Store prices (no markup)
Includes gas discounts and Paramount+
Best for: Price-conscious shoppers

Store Apps (Kroger, Publix, etc.):

Usually no markup on items
Delivery fees $5-10
Pickup often free
Best for: Store loyalty perks

The Impulse Buying Factor

Here’s something unexpected: many people spend less with delivery.

Why delivery reduces spending:

No walking past tempting displays
No shopping while hungry
Easier to stick to a list
Harder to “grab one more thing”

Studies suggest: Online grocery shoppers buy 10-20% less in unplanned purchases compared to in-store shoppers.

If you’re an impulse buyer: The $15-30 delivery cost might be offset by avoided impulse purchases. A cart full of “oh, that looks good” items can easily hit $30-50 extra.

Who Benefits Most from Delivery

Time-strapped parents: Shopping with kids is exhausting and time-consuming. Delivery gives you that time back.

High earners: If you bill $100/hour, spending 90 minutes grocery shopping costs $150 in opportunity. Delivery is obviously better.

Those with mobility issues: Physical difficulty shopping makes delivery not a luxury but a necessity.

Urban dwellers without cars: Without a car, grocery shopping requires transit, Uber, or carrying heavy bags. Delivery solves this.

People who hate shopping: If grocery shopping stresses you out, the mental health benefit has real value.

Who Should Keep Shopping In Person

Tight budgets: If you’re watching every dollar, delivery fees add up. Shop strategically to minimize trips.

Picky shoppers: Want to squeeze every avocado? Pick your own meat cuts? Delivery shoppers can’t match your standards.

Social shoppers: Some people genuinely enjoy the grocery store experience. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.

Small-order shoppers: Delivery fees are a larger percentage on small orders. In-person is better for quick trips.

The Hybrid Strategy

Most households do best with a mix:

Use delivery for:

Large stock-up trips (maximize value vs fees)
Heavy items (cases of water, bulk goods)
Busy weeks when time is precious
When sick or weather is bad

Shop in person for:

Fresh produce you want to select
Small “forgot something” trips
When you want to browse sales
Specialty or ethnic groceries

Making Delivery Work Financially

If you decide to use delivery, minimize costs:

Get a membership: Instacart+, Walmart+, or Amazon Prime pays off at 2+ orders/month
Order larger, less frequently: $150 orders beat $75 orders for fee efficiency
Compare prices: Check if items are marked up before ordering
Use store pickup: Often free vs $5-10 delivery fee
Tip fairly but not excessively: 15-20% or $5-7 minimum is appropriate
Avoid peak times: Some services charge more during busy periods

Calculating Your Break-Even

Your personal break-even formula:

(Time saved per trip × Value of your time) - Delivery costs = Net value

Example:

Time saved: 75 minutes = 1.25 hours
Your time value: $40/hour
Time value gained: $50
Delivery costs: $20
Net value: +$30 per order

If your net value is positive, delivery makes sense. If negative, shop in person.

The Bottom Line

Grocery delivery is worth it if:

Your time is worth $25+/hour
You have mobility or transportation limitations
Shopping with kids is your version of torture
You tend to overspend on impulse buys in stores
You order $100+ to spread fees across more items

Grocery delivery isn’t worth it if:

You’re on a very tight budget
You enjoy the shopping experience
You’re picky about produce/meat selection
Your orders are typically under $75
You live near the store and shop efficiently

There’s no universal answer—it depends on your time value, shopping style, and personal preferences.