{"id":64470,"date":"2025-05-20T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/?p=64470"},"modified":"2025-07-14T10:57:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T15:57:45","slug":"americas-most-budget-friendly-states-for-foodies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/americas-most-budget-friendly-states-for-foodies\/","title":{"rendered":"America\u2019s Most Budget-Friendly States for Foodies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Is there anything better than finding a great meal at a reasonable price? Yet in today\u2019s economy, staying within budget while dining out can sometimes feel like a challenge.<\/p>\n<p>This raises an intriguing question: which states offer Americans the most budget-friendly options for dining out?<\/p>\n<p>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.<br \/>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<h3>America\u2019s Most Budget Friendly Cities for Foodies \u2013 Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>New York<\/strong> placed first, thanks to a plethora of comparatively affordable options relative to the cost of living in the state.<\/li>\n<li>There was a strong regional trend at the top of the list: including New York, six of the top ten states were in the Northeast, while three of the top ten were in the Upper Midwest.<\/li>\n<li>At the opposite end of the spectrum were <strong>Hawaii<\/strong> and <strong>Nevada<\/strong>, where high cost of living combined with relatively low disposable income left diners with fewer affordable options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n        <div class=\"tmm-table-of-contents\" tmm-table-of-contents>\n            <div class=\"tmm-table-of-contents__title\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n            <div class=\"tmm-table-of-contents__list\" tmm-table-of-contents__list><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n<h2>Which States Are the Most Budget-Friendly for Dining Out?<\/h2>\n<p>To calculate each state\u2019s 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 <a href=\"#five\">five categories<\/a> and assigned them an overall score out of a possible 100 points. Here are the results.<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, we defined &#8220;affordability&#8221; as the answer to the question &#8220;On average, how expensive are the available food options for people who live in this state?\u201d However, we didn&#8217;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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<h3>America\u2019s Most Budget-Friendly States for Dining Out<\/h3>\n<div class=\"table-wrap\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">Rank<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">State<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">Score<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">1<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">New York<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">84.54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">2<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Connecticut<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">82.74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">3<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">New Jersey<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">80.63<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">77.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">5<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Illinois<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">75.76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">6<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Rhode Island<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">75.53<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">7<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">75.27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">8<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Oregon<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">75.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">9<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Pennsylvania<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">73.46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">10<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Minnesota<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">73.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">11<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Michigan<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">72.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">12<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">North Dakota<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">71.60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">13<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Ohio<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">71.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">14<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Montana<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">70.76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">15<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Maryland<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">69.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">16<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">California<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">68.48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">17<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">North Carolina<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">67.77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">18<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Virginia<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">67.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">19<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Washington<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">67.27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">20<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Missouri<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">66.54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">21<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Nebraska<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">65.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">22<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Indiana<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">65.42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">23<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Delaware<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">65.38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">24<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Iowa<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">64.97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">25<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Vermont<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">64.70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">26<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">New Hampshire<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">64.66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">27<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Maine<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">64.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">28<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Colorado<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">63.87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">29<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Florida<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">63.09<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">30<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Georgia<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">63.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">31<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Louisiana<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">62.06<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">32<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">South Dakota<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">62.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">33<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Wyoming<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">61.62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">34<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">South Carolina<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">61.58<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">35<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Alaska<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">61.46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">36<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Alabama<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">61.32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">37<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Oklahoma<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">59.73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">38<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Idaho<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">59.41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">39<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Tennessee<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">58.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">40<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Kansas<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">58.68<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">41<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Kentucky<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">58.29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">42<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Texas<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">57.76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">43<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Arkansas<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">56.92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">44<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Mississippi<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">54.71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">45<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">West Virginia<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">54.36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">46<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Arizona<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">54.10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">47<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Utah<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">50.89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">48<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">New Mexico<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">50.89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">49<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Hawaii<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">46.47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">50<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Nevada<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">30.75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Looking at the rankings, a few notable geographical and economic patterns emerge.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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 (<a href=\"#jump\">jump here<\/a> for more detail on why we chose this) with strong disposable income levels, creating favorable conditions for budget-conscious diners.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>With that said, let\u2019s take a closer look at the five states that scored the highest in our results.<\/p>\n<h2>Top Five Most Budget-Friendly States<\/h2>\n<h3>New York<\/h3>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Restaurants per 100,000 residents: 252.97<\/li>\n<li>Percentage of independent restaurants: 71.87%<\/li>\n<li>Average price of menu item: $12.00<\/li>\n<li>Average disposable income: $29,001.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\nPerhaps contrary to expectations, New York claims the top spot as America\u2019s most budget-friendly state for dining out. While the state\u2019s $12 average menu price sits above the national average ($10.64), fierce competition among its dense restaurant landscape\u2014nearly 253 establishments per 100,000 residents\u2014creates unexpected value for diners.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019 Jackson Heights offer a world tour of affordable cuisine, from Tibetan momos to Colombian arepas to Indian dosas, all at surprisingly accessible prices.<\/p>\n<h3>Connecticut<\/h3>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Restaurants per 100,000 residents: 253.18<\/li>\n<li>Percentage of independent restaurants: 66.27%<\/li>\n<li>Average price of menu item: $10.92<\/li>\n<li>Average disposable income: $26,825.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\nConnecticut\u2019s affluent reputation harbors an unexpected secret: it\u2019s a haven for value-seeking diners. The state\u2019s compact geography contributes to a densely concentrated restaurant scene, with more than 253 establishments per 100,000 residents\u2014the highest among our top five states.<\/p>\n<p>This density breeds healthy competition, particularly evident in the state\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h3>New Jersey<\/h3>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Restaurants per 100,000 residents: 219.28<\/li>\n<li>Percentage of independent restaurants: 67.10%<\/li>\n<li>Average price of menu item: $10.31<\/li>\n<li>Average disposable income: $24,474.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\nNew Jersey\u2019s position between major metropolitan areas has fostered a distinct dining culture where quality and value intersect. The state\u2019s average menu price of $10.31 sits comfortably below the national average, yet its restaurants deliver an experience that rivals its more expensive neighbors.<\/p>\n<p>This sweet spot between affordability and quality comes to life in the state\u2019s legendary diners like the Tick Tock in Clifton, in the family-run Portuguese restaurants of Newark\u2019s 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\u2019s dense network of communities has created a dining landscape where exceptional value isn\u2019t just possible\u2014it\u2019s the norm.<\/p>\n<h3>Wisconsin<\/h3>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Restaurants per 100,000 residents: 220.81<\/li>\n<li>Percentage of independent restaurants: 63.56%<\/li>\n<li>Average price of menu item: $9.74<\/li>\n<li>Average disposable income: $22,135.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\nWisconsin\u2019s 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\u2014nearly 9% below the national average\u2014the state demonstrates how quality dining can remain accessible to virtually everyone.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s Hamburger Shop in Green Bay, Milwaukee\u2019s family-owned ethnic eateries, or Madison\u2019s affordable farm-to-table cafes.<\/p>\n<h3>Illinois<\/h3>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"blog-article-callout-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Restaurants per 100,000 residents: 211.50<\/li>\n<li>Percentage of independent restaurants: 55.82%<\/li>\n<li>Average price of menu item: $10.85<\/li>\n<li>Average disposable income: $25,726.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\nIllinois combines big-city sophistication with heartland practicality to create a uniquely value-conscious dining scene. The state\u2019s robust disposable income levels\u2014averaging $25,726 per resident\u2014provide strong purchasing power that helps support a diverse restaurant landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019s central location and agricultural abundance ensure fresh ingredients flow easily from farm to table, whether to Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n<h2>Methodology and Notes<\/h2>\n<p>To obtain these findings, we scored states across <a name=\"five\"><\/a>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.<\/p>\n<p>First, to determine population-adjusted restaurants per capita, we used state population data from the U.S. Census Bureau<sup>1<\/sup> and National Restaurant Association data on the number of restaurants in each state<sup>2<\/sup> to establish the number of restaurants per capita, then adjusted the results to minimize bias toward smaller states.<\/p>\n<p>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 Tech<sup>3<\/sup> to establish the share of independently owned restaurants in each state, then adjusted for population to minimize bias.<\/p>\n<p>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 Bureau<sup>4<\/sup> and combined it with state-level food spending data from the USDA\u2019s Economic Research Service\u2019s (ERS) Food Expenditure Series.<sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>To determine the ratio of average menu price to disposable income, we used data derived from Foursquare\u2019s Menu API by Credit Loan<sup>6<\/sup> and compared it with disposable income data from Forbes.<sup>7<\/sup> <a name=\"jump\"><\/a>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.<\/p>\n<p>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 spending<sup>8<\/sup> with a grocery spending index from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.<sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>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\u2019 scores and instead distributed that category\u2019s weight across the remaining four categories.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\t\n\t<h3 class=\"additional-articles-heading\">WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CULINARY INDUSTRY TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES? CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES NEXT!<\/h3>\n\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/alcohol-and-beverage-trends\/\">2025 Alcohol and Beverage Trends: Key Statistics on What\u2019s Pouring in Bars and Homes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/americas-most-diverse-food-cities\/\">America\u2019s Most Diverse Food Cities: Ranking the Culinary Diversity of the Largest Cities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/statistics-on-what-americans-are-eating-for-better-health\/\">Health &amp; Wellness Food Trends: Key Statistics on What Americans Are Eating for Better Health<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>(1) U.S. Census Bureau, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/quickfacts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quick Facts<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(2) National Restaurant Association, <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/research-and-media\/research\/industry-statistics\/state-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fact Sheets: Industry Size by State<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(3) Georgia Tech Friendly Cities Lab, <a href=\"https:\/\/friendlycities.gatech.edu\/data-interactive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Restaurant Chainness<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(4) U.S. Census Bureau, <a href=\"https:\/\/data.census.gov\/table\/ACSST1Y2023.S1901?q=S1901&amp;g=010XX00US$0400000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Community Survey, 2023<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(5) USDA ERS Food Expenditure Series, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/data-products\/food-expenditure-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nominal food and alcohol expenditures, with taxes and tips, for all purchasers, 2023<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(6) Credit Loan and Foursquare, <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20190328052101\/https:\/\/www.creditloan.com\/blog\/cost-of-eating-at-restaurants-in-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Foursquare Menu API price data, 2018<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(7) Forbes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/mortgages\/cost-of-living-by-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cost of Living &amp; Disposable Incomes by State, 2024<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(8) USDA ERS Food Expenditure Series, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/data-products\/food-expenditure-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">State food sales, with taxes and tips, for all purchasers, 2023<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>(9) MERIC, Cost of Living Data Series, <a href=\"https:\/\/meric.mo.gov\/data\/cost-living-data-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 Annual Average Cost of Living<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which U.S. states have the most budget-friendly dining options? Escoffier\u2019s analysis reveals insights about the cost of dining out around the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":47842,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1317],"tags":[1389],"class_list":["post-64470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-food-drink","tag-statistics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>America\u2019s Most Budget-Friendly States for Foodies - Escoffier<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Which U.S. states have the most budget-friendly dining options? 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