Meal Prep vs Eating Out Savings Calculator
Calculate weekly and yearly savings from meal prepping versus eating out.
Enter homemade meal cost and restaurant spend per week for yearly and 5-year totals.
The Real Cost of Eating Out The average restaurant lunch in the United States costs $12-$18. A homemade meal — even with quality ingredients — typically costs $3-$6. Prepping 5 lunches per week can save $45-$75 weekly, or $2,300-$3,900 per year.
Gross vs Net Savings Gross savings = (Eating Out Cost - Prep Cost) × Meals per Week But meal prepping takes time — and your time has value.
Net savings = Gross Savings - (Prep Hours × Your Hourly Value)
If your time is worth $30/hour and prep takes 3 hours, subtract $90/week from gross savings. For many people, the net savings is still substantial — and the health benefits add further value.
Compounding Savings Annual savings invested at 7% grow significantly over time. $3,000 per year invested for 20 years at 7% = over $123,000.
Tips to Maximize Meal Prep Savings
- Batch cook proteins (chicken, hard-boiled eggs, ground beef) on weekends
- Buy in bulk: unit price per meal drops significantly
- Use frozen vegetables: equally nutritious, much cheaper
- Plan your meals around weekly sales and seasonal produce
- Repurpose leftovers: one roast chicken = 3 different meals