- The cheapest state to eat out is South Dakota, with an inexpensive meal costing $13.40 on average
- The most expensive state to eat out is Hawaii, with an inexpensive meal costing $27.25
- Georgia is the ninth cheapest state to eat out, with an inexpensive meal costing $16.11
A new study, carried out by restaurant furniture experts Seating Masters, analyzed data from Numbeo, including the price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, to determine which states are the most expensive and cheapest to eat out in. The data from the cities in each state was collected and averaged to achieve a more accurate ranking. The price of a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two people was also analyzed for each state and included in the ranking.
The cheapest state to eat out in is South Dakota, with an inexpensive meal costing $13.40. The Mount Rushmore State ranked second most affordable in the country for a three-course meal for two people, costing $54.00.
Oklahoma is the second cheapest state to eat out in, with an inexpensive meal costing an average of $14.00. The Sooner State ranks 34th on the list, with a three-course meal for two people costing an average of $61.90.
Arkansas is the third cheapest state to eat out in, with an inexpensive meal costing $14.19. A three-course meal for two in Arkansas is the third most affordable in the US, costing $54.77.
Iowa is in fourth place, with an inexpensive meal costing $14.40. For a three-course meal for two people, one would pay an average of $59.63, the 11th cheapest in the country.
North Dakota is the fifth cheapest state to eat out in, with an inexpensive meal costing an average of $14.50. In the Peace Garden State, a three-course meal for two in a restaurant will cost $56.25, the fifth cheapest in the United States.
Also in the top ten is Kansas in sixth, costing $14.70; Utah in seventh, costing $14.93; and Kentucky in eighth with an average cost of $15.24.
Georgia ranks ninth with a price of $16.11, and finally, in tenth place is Wisconsin, with an inexpensive meal costing $16.36 on average.
The top ten cheapest states to eat out
|
Rank |
State |
Price of Inexpensive Meal |
|
1 |
South Dakota |
$13.40 |
|
2 |
Oklahoma |
$14.00 |
|
3 |
Arkansas |
$14.19 |
|
4 |
Iowa |
$14.40 |
|
5 |
North Dakota |
$14.50 |
|
6 |
Kansas |
$14.70 |
|
7 |
Utah |
$14.93 |
|
8 |
Kentucky |
$15.24 |
|
9 |
Georgia |
$16.11 |
|
10 |
Wisconsin |
$16.36 |
The most expensive states to eat out were also analyzed.
Hawaii is the most expensive state to eat out in, with a meal at a lower-priced restaurant costing $27.25. A three-course meal for two in the Aloha State will cost $99.00, the most expensive in the US.
The second most expensive state to eat out in is Alaska, with an inexpensive meal costing $24.98. In The Last Frontier State, a three-course meal for two would cost $79.00, the 10th most expensive in the United States.
New Hampshire is in third place, with an inexpensive meal costing $24.41. A three-course meal in New Hampshire is the fifth most expensive in the country, costing $79.00.
In fourth place is Rhode Island, where an inexpensive meal costs $24.13. In the Ocean State, going out for a three-course meal will cost $96.56 for two people, the second most expensive in America.
New Jersey is in fifth place, with an inexpensive meal costing $23.06. New Jersey is the seventh most expensive state for a three-course meal for two, costing $85.24 on average.
Montana ranks sixth, costing $22.77; Maine in seventh, costing $22.65; and Connecticut in eighth, costing $22.61.
In ninth place is Massachusetts, with an inexpensive meal costing $22.45, and Vermont is the tenth most expensive state to eat out in, with an average cost of $20.88.
The top ten most expensive states to eat out
|
Rank |
State |
Price of Inexpensive Meal |
|
1 |
Hawaii |
$27.25 |
|
2 |
Alaska |
$24.98 |
|
3 |
New Hampshire |
$24.41 |
|
4 |
Rhode Island |
$24.13 |
|
5 |
New Jersey |
$23.06 |
|
6 |
Montana |
$22.77 |
|
7 |
Maine |
$22.65 |
|
8 |
Connecticut |
$22.61 |
|
9 |
Massachusetts |
$22.45 |
|
10 |
Vermont |
$20.88 |
Nick Warren, Head of Ecommerce at Seating Masters, commented on the findings:
“When dining out, there are many perks and benefits. The food can be delicious, the experience enjoyable, and it gives you time to relax without worrying about cooking dinner. Eating at new places can also help you explore and try new cuisines you may not have experienced yet.
“A one-off meal out here and there won’t have detrimental effects on your bank account, but depending on where in the United States you live and how often you eat out, dining out can certainly add up over time.”