America’s Most Budget-Friendly States for Foodies

Is there anything better than finding a great meal at a reasonable price? Yet in today’s economy, staying within budget while dining out can sometimes feel like a challenge.

This raises an intriguing question: which states offer Americans the most budget-friendly options for dining out?

To find an answer, we analyzed data across all 50 states, examining everything from restaurant density to menu prices to disposable income levels. Our goal? To determine where Americans can get the most value when dining out.

Which States Are the Most Budget-Friendly for Dining Out?

To calculate each state’s relative affordability, we looked at data on the number, type, and cost of dining out at restaurants in each state, then compared those figures to income and cost of living metrics. We then scored each state in five categories and assigned them an overall score out of a possible 100 points. Here are the results.

Generally speaking, we defined “affordability” as the answer to the question “On average, how expensive are the available food options for people who live in this state?” However, we didn’t want our ratings dominated by states with a higher proportion of chain restaurants, which can use the economics of scale to offer lower price menu options. So our analysis went further, and also encompassed the breadth and relative independence of each state’s restaurant scene. Thus, the states that placed highly in our rankings were those that offered the most affordable options across relatively broad and diverse restaurant scenes.

America’s Most Budget-Friendly States for Dining Out

Looking at the rankings, a few notable geographical and economic patterns emerge.

The Northeast dominates the top of the list, with New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania all placing in the top ten. This regional strength suggests that despite higher costs of living, these states provide strong value for dining out relative to income levels.

The Upper Midwest also ranked high, with Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota all placing in the top 10 as well. These states combine relatively moderate menu prices (jump here for more detail on why we chose this) with strong disposable income levels, creating favorable conditions for budget-conscious diners.

Tourism-dependent economies seem to face challenges in providing budget-friendly dining options, with Nevada (50th) and Hawaii (49th) occupying the bottom spots. These states combine high costs of living with restaurant scenes that may cater more to visitors than locals.

With that said, let’s take a closer look at the five states that scored the highest in our results.

Top Five Most Budget-Friendly States

New York

Perhaps contrary to expectations, New York claims the top spot as America’s most budget-friendly state for dining out. While the state’s $12 average menu price sits above the national average ($10.64), fierce competition among its dense restaurant landscape—nearly 253 establishments per 100,000 residents—creates unexpected value for diners.

This value reveals itself in countless ways across the state: neighborhood pizzerias serving perfectly charred slices in Brooklyn, family-owned farm-to-table cafes dotting the Hudson Valley, and beloved diners in Syracuse serving generous portions at reasonable prices, while international enclaves like Queens’ Jackson Heights offer a world tour of affordable cuisine, from Tibetan momos to Colombian arepas to Indian dosas, all at surprisingly accessible prices.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s affluent reputation harbors an unexpected secret: it’s a haven for value-seeking diners. The state’s compact geography contributes to a densely concentrated restaurant scene, with more than 253 establishments per 100,000 residents—the highest among our top five states.

This density breeds healthy competition, particularly evident in the state’s cherished culinary institutions. From the historic New Haven pizzerias that have perfected their craft over generations, to the no-frills seafood shacks along the coast serving fresh catch at reasonable prices, to the many family-run delis and cafes dotting the countryside, Connecticut proves that excellent food value can thrive in unexpected places.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s position between major metropolitan areas has fostered a distinct dining culture where quality and value intersect. The state’s average menu price of $10.31 sits comfortably below the national average, yet its restaurants deliver an experience that rivals its more expensive neighbors.

This sweet spot between affordability and quality comes to life in the state’s legendary diners like the Tick Tock in Clifton, in the family-run Portuguese restaurants of Newark’s Ironbound district, and in the bustling Korean noodle shops of Fort Lee. From neighborhood Jewish delis in Cherry Hill to mom-and-pop Italian markets in Hoboken, New Jersey’s dense network of communities has created a dining landscape where exceptional value isn’t just possible—it’s the norm.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s strong agricultural heritage and deep-rooted supper club tradition have shaped a dining culture where generosity and value go hand in hand. With an average menu price of $9.74—nearly 9% below the national average—the state demonstrates how quality dining can remain accessible to virtually everyone.

The supper club tradition, with its Friday fish fries and generous portions of prime rib served in warm, welcoming environments, exemplifies this approach. The close proximity from field to plate keeps costs down while maintaining quality, whether at neighborhood burger joints like Al’s Hamburger Shop in Green Bay, Milwaukee’s family-owned ethnic eateries, or Madison’s affordable farm-to-table cafes.

Illinois

Illinois combines big-city sophistication with heartland practicality to create a uniquely value-conscious dining scene. The state’s robust disposable income levels—averaging $25,726 per resident—provide strong purchasing power that helps support a diverse restaurant landscape.

Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods showcase this perfectly: Pilsen offers affordable Mexican cuisine from family-run taquerias and caldos shops, while Argyle Street serves up Vietnamese pho and banh mi at reasonable prices. The state’s central location and agricultural abundance ensure fresh ingredients flow easily from farm to table, whether to Chicago’s neighborhood kitchens or to cherished diners across the prairie. Illinois proves that when urban innovation meets Midwestern practicality, the result is a food scene that works for everyone’s budget.

Methodology and Notes

To obtain these findings, we scored states across five categories: population-adjusted restaurants per capita; population-adjusted share of independently-owned restaurants; household restaurant spending as a share of household income; ratio of average menu price to disposable income; and relative food cost.

First, to determine population-adjusted restaurants per capita, we used state population data from the U.S. Census Bureau¹ and National Restaurant Association data on the number of restaurants in each state² to establish the number of restaurants per capita, then adjusted the results to minimize bias toward smaller states.

Then, to determine the population-adjusted share of independently-owned restaurants, we used data on the share of independent vs. chain restaurants from Friendly Cities Lab at Georgia Tech³ to establish the share of independently owned restaurants in each state, then adjusted for population to minimize bias.

To determine household restaurant spending as a share of household income, we obtained data on the number of households as well as average household income from the U.S. Census Bureau⁴ and combined it with state-level food spending data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service’s (ERS) Food Expenditure Series.⁵

To determine the ratio of average menu price to disposable income, we used data derived from Foursquare’s Menu API by Credit Loan⁶ and compared it with disposable income data from Forbes.⁷ Note: the menu price data is from 2018, but it was the most reliable dataset available. Despite the fact that the prices are dated, it was preferable to use a reliable, internally consistent dataset for the sake of comparing states.

Finally, to determine the relative food cost in each state, we used grocery spending as a proxy for the cost of food in each state; we compared ERS data on grocery spending⁸ with a grocery spending index from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.⁹

Each of these five categories were normalized on a 0-to-100 scale, then aggregated to a weighted topline score out of 100 points. Because the dataset on menu prices did not include entries for Vermont and West Virginia, we omitted that category from those two states’ scores and instead distributed that category’s weight across the remaining four categories.

These findings reveal that across America, the most budget-friendly dining scenes emerge where competition, cultural diversity, and local food traditions combine to create value for diners.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CULINARY INDUSTRY TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES? CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES NEXT!

• 2025 Alcohol and Beverage Trends: Key Statistics on What’s Pouring in Bars and Homes
• America’s Most Diverse Food Cities: Ranking the Culinary Diversity of the Largest Cities
• Health & Wellness Food Trends: Key Statistics on What Americans Are Eating for Better Health

Sources

• (1) U.S. Census Bureau, Quick Facts
• (2) National Restaurant Association, Fact Sheets: Industry Size by State
• (3) Georgia Tech Friendly Cities Lab, Restaurant Chainness
• (4) U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2023
• (5) USDA ERS Food Expenditure Series, Nominal food and alcohol expenditures, with taxes and tips, for all purchasers, 2023
• (6) Credit Loan and Foursquare, Foursquare Menu API price data, 2018
• (7) Forbes, Cost of Living & Disposable Incomes by State, 2024
• (8) USDA ERS Food Expenditure Series, State food sales, with taxes and tips, for all purchasers, 2023
• (9) MERIC, Cost of Living Data Series, 2024 Annual Average Cost of Living