Grocery spending depends less on the country and more on how you shop. Cooking at home with local, seasonal ingredients is affordable almost anywhere; relying on imported brands from your home country is expensive everywhere. Many NRIs are surprised at how much Indian staples like specific spices, lentils, or ghee cost abroad, so it pays to learn which local substitutes work.
Local markets versus supermarkets is a real divide. Fresh produce, fruit, and vegetables are usually cheaper and better at neighborhood markets, especially near closing time. Supermarkets win on packaged goods, household items, and their own store brands, which are often noticeably cheaper than name brands for the same quality. Discount supermarket chains, where they exist, can cut a grocery bill substantially.
Track your spending honestly for the first two months before judging whether the country is expensive. Most newcomers overspend early simply because they do not yet know where locals shop, and costs drop naturally once you do.