San Diego, California — Back-to-school shopping is becoming another major financial challenge for California families, with parents facing sharply higher prices for classroom supplies while also trying to keep up with groceries, rent, utilities and other household expenses.
For families with several children, the price increases can quickly turn a routine shopping trip into a significant financial burden.
Basic School Supply Basket Now Costs Nearly $175
A recent analysis by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation found that a basket containing 21 essential school supplies costs an average of $173.45.
That’s 7.7% more than last year, adding another layer of pressure for parents already struggling with the cost of everyday necessities.
Some products have seen substantially larger increases than the overall basket.
Notebooks are approximately 23% more expensive, while notebook paper has increased about 20%. Index cards have climbed roughly 22.2%, according to the analysis.
Other common classroom necessities have also become more expensive.
Lunch Boxes and Classroom Essentials See Big Increases
Among the biggest jumps are lunch boxes, which cost nearly 27% more than they did last year.
Dry-erase markers and glue sticks have risen by approximately 8%, while families are paying between 5% and 7% more for No. 2 pencils, crayons, colored pencils and binders.
Those increases might appear manageable when looking at one item at a time, but they can add up quickly when parents are purchasing complete supply lists for multiple children.
For households already dealing with high housing costs and rising utility and food bills, even relatively small price increases can create difficult choices.
San Diego Parents Say Every Expense Is Adding Up
The financial pressure was evident at a back-to-school assistance event in San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood, where families sought help getting their children ready for the upcoming school year.
Among them was Mark Davis, a San Diego father of five, who said his family has to balance school expenses with the cost of basic necessities.
“Everything goes up but the paycheck,” Davis told local media.
He said the family has to cover gas, rent, bills and food, describing the day-to-day financial situation as a constant struggle.
The event was organized by California state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, who emphasized the importance of connecting families with resources as some assistance programs face changes or cuts.
Grocery Costs Add More Pressure
School supplies aren’t the only concern for struggling families.
Food expenses are also putting pressure on households across San Diego County, where officials estimate that more than 93,000 people could lose their CalFresh benefits this year.
To help residents facing food insecurity, the county has funded a Safety Net Bridge program that includes food assistance.
Families gathered for a grocery distribution in Chula Vista as community organizations and local officials worked to provide additional support.
Families Rely on Multiple Resources to Get By
For Jose Miranda, a father of four, managing household expenses requires both him and his wife to work while also seeking outside assistance.
South Florida Families Get Major Back-to-School Help as School Supply Costs Hit $300
“Just making minimum wage both [me and my wife] gotta work,” Miranda said.
He explained that the family regularly searches for community resources by calling 211 and attending events where food and other assistance are available.
The county plans to continue additional food distributions and provide funding to help residents access health care services through the fall.
Back-to-School Season Brings New Financial Test
With schools preparing to reopen, families across Southern California are facing another round of expenses at a time when many household budgets are already stretched thin.
The combination of higher school supply prices, food costs, housing expenses and utility bills means parents may need to rely on community programs, school assistance and local resources to fill the gaps.
For families buying supplies for several children, the nearly $175 basic basket could be only the beginning of their back-to-school spending.
How much are you expecting to spend on back-to-school shopping this year? Are rising school supply and grocery prices affecting your family’s budget? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
