The US State That Spends The Most On Food Delivery Might Surprise You

Food delivery services have transformed the way we eat at home. In many households, evening conversations inevitably revolve around the difficult decision of DoorDash vs. Uber Eats. With these apps just a tap away, getting anything you crave delivered to your door has never been easier. While these services have taken off across the world, some places rely on them more than others. In the U.S., for instance, Iowa residents are more likely to use food delivery services than residents of any other state — and spend significantly more as a result. 

Nearly 80% of Americans use food delivery services, averaging 3.7 deliveries per month, according to a 2023 survey from Upgraded Points. With the typical bill costing around $35 per order, this habit can easily add up to more than $1,500 per year of money being wasted by ordering takeout. While that may seem like a lot — and it is, considering it equated to 3.7% of the average American's income that year – it's nothing compared to the residents of Iowa. According to the study, Iowans spent a whopping $3,366 in 2023 on food delivery, which was more than twice the national average.

The high amount being spent on food delivery in Iowa is due to a combination of more frequent orders, as well as more expensive ones. On average, Iowans ordered 6.2 deliveries per month and spent more than $45 per order, according to the study. Based on the state's median income of around $39,000, that means residents in the state spent a staggering 8.6% of their hard-earned money on food delivery in 2023. Perhaps Iowa's low cost of living – almost 20% lower than the national average per BestPlaces – means its residents have more disposable income to spend on takeout.

New Jersey residents were the next biggest spenders on food delivery — though they were a distant second to Iowa. On average, residents of the Garden State ordered five deliveries per month and spent around $39 per order, which adds up to more than $2,400 a year. Arizona rounded out the top three, with four monthly orders costing around $41, for an annual spend of about $2,200. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Wisconsinites spent the least amount of money on food delivery services, ordering just 2.5 times per month and spending $937 per year.