This study focused on the nutrition knowledge, food purchase behaviors, and dietary habits of 213 housewives (41 women under 39 years, 98 women 40~49 years, and 74 women over 50 years). Younger housewives held more special jobs, whereas older housewives worked as housewives or had no jobs ($p$<0.05). The average monthly income of the three family groups was 3,000,000~5,000,000 won, and the monthly dietary expenditure for all three groups was 200,000~500,000 won. Familial frames for the three groups was nuclear family (over 80%), but housewives younger than 39 years (19.5%) lived together with their parents and let them take care of their children. Housewives (over 50 years) prepared a balanced diet for every meal, utilized less drastic cooking methods to prevent loss of nutrients, and shopped at many places in order to save money on various food materials. Further, they purchased food materials that resulted in the least amount of left overs. On the other hand, housewives under 39 years visited large supermarkets and purchased cooked foods more than other groups. Housewives under 39 years considered nutrients content as the most important factor when purchasing food materials, whereas 74.5% of housewives between 40~49 years and 51.4% of housewives over 50 years put the most importance on flavor ($p$<0.05). Housewives under 39 years were interested in manufacture date, nutrient content, and food price, in decreasing order, whereas housewives between 40~49 years and over 50 years were interested in manufacture date, food prices, and nutrient content. Older housewives were interested in brown rice and fruits, whereas younger housewives under 39 years were interested in meat, fish, eggs, fried foods, and fast food. Older housewives over 50 years did not consume fried foods more than two times per week and consumed three regular meals more often than younger housewives. Accordingly, for younger housewives, it is necessary that healthy foods be cooked for their families.