14 US States That Spend The Most On Food Delivery

The food delivery industry is massive in the United States. In fact, Statista predicts that the online food delivery space will generate about $473 billion in 2026. That figure could stretch to nearly $610 billion by 2030, with an estimated annual growth rate of 6.55%. China is forecast to spend more on food delivery, with its market share expected to reach nearly $545 billion next year. However, the U.S. still beats its more populous competition on a per-person basis, with a citizenry that's a quarter of the size yet producing competitive spending. These already impressive numbers are put into perspective when realizing the relative recency of this entire industry. While Americans have been ordering pizzas and other favorites for delivery for decades, the market really took off with the advent of smartphone food delivery apps such as DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats.

While comparing food delivery spending on a national scale is certainly interesting, an entirely different story can be uncovered at the state level. The hundreds of billions of dollars Americans spend on ordering food isn't equivalent throughout the country. To get a better grasp on the regional spending habits of Americans in this market, the Food Delivery Usage survey by Upgraded Points, from March 2023, offers some key metrics. Plus, additional nuance can be derived by comparing other economic metrics such as median income, and what percentage of each state's income is put towards food delivery. For this additional context, the most recently available Bureau of Economic Analysis data, from 2024, provides general regional price parities — as well as personal expenditure and income for each state — that we can reasonably assume are similar to the same parities present during the time frame of the food delivery data in 2023. While imperfect, this comparison can help shed light on the relative burden of takeout expenses for the states that spend the most on it.

Iowans top the list of Americans who spend the most on food delivery. Residents spent an average of $3,366.22 annually in this category in 2023. For perspective, that's about 115% higher than the national average spend of $1,566 per year. In addition to total spending, the Hawkeye State also beat out the competition in how much income it dedicates to food delivery. With a median income of $39,083.20 in 2023, the typical person in the state dedicated about 8.61% of their earnings to this category. Fortunately, Iowa is an underrated state with a low cost of living to help offset this heightened spending.

In 2024, Iowans' living expenses were about 12.2% below the national average, with a regional price parity of 87.8, where 100 represents the U.S. average. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data, Iowa's personal consumption expenditures rose by 2.9% that year — in line with the national average. During the same period, the personal income of residents rose by 3.3%, higher than the U.S. norm of a 2.9% increase. Income rising slightly faster than consumer spending suggests residents could offset some of the financial impact of food delivery costs.

New Jersey was No. 2 for states that splurged the most on food delivery, with residents spending over $900 less annually than Iowa but still about 55% above the national norm. The typical Garden State citizen ran up a yearly food delivery bill of $2,427 in 2023. With a median income of $48,193.60, residents put about 5.04% of their earnings toward this expense. For perspective, you're considered upper-class in New Jersey if you make $200,000. This elevated takeout spending is exacerbated by an above average cost of living.

The Garden State's regional price parity was 108.8 in 2024, meaning residents faced a cost of living 8.8% higher than the rest of the country. As with Iowa, the state's personal spending rose on par with the U.S. standard of 2.9%. However, New Jersey hasn't seen its income rise at the same pace, with earnings only rising 2.8% in the same period. With that said, residents may not have seen many changes to their relative food delivery burden.

Above-average food delivery spending may not be one of the conventional reasons retirees regret moving to Arizona, but this budget item could take new residents by surprise. The average person in the Grand Canyon State budgeted about $2,227.12 to food delivery in 2023 — about 42% above the rest of the country. At the same time, the median income stood at $39,499.20 that same year. Those figures suggest that the normal person in Arizona placed around 5.64% of their earnings in the food delivery column of their budget sheet. Interestingly, this is one of the few states with a regional price parity on par with the national average.

Federal data shows that the cost of living in Arizona was only 0.7% above the U.S. norm in 2024. However, personal consumption jumped by 4% in the Grand Canyon State that year, among the highest in the country. In the same timeframe, income only rose 3.3%. While still higher than the U.S. average, income failed to keep pace with spending. Residents likely saw their food delivery costs comprise an increasing percentage of their earnings as a result.

Overall, the Empire State shelled out $2,207.25 per person on food delivery in 2023 — about 41% more than the normal American. Despite being the fourth largest spender in this area, the state spent a relatively modest amount of its income on food delivery. The median income of a New Yorker was about $48,796.80 that same year, which means only 4.52% of their earnings were eaten by this expense. It's notoriously difficult to live in Manhattan on less than $55,000 per year, underscoring the city's exorbitant living costs, but even the state suffers from elevated expenses.

The Empire State sees a cost of living 7.9% higher than the national average, with a regional price parity of 107.9. Personal consumption in the state remained on equal footing with the national standard, however, rising 2.9% over the last recorded year. Regrettably, personal income didn't keep up, only rising by 2.3%. These difference indicate that routine living expenses, such as food delivery, were actually weighing more heavily on New Yorkers.

Pennsylvania is one of the states that exempts Social Security and retirement income from taxes, leaving retirees to spend more of their nest egg on discretionary items. With an average annual food delivery expense of $2,091.43 per resident in 2023, it appears seniors aren't the only ones maximizing their non-essential purchases. On average, Pennsylvanians outspent their counterparts by one-third. The state's median income was $44,907.20, meaning food delivery consumed about 4.66% of the average Pennsylvanian's earnings that year. Luckily, the state's lower cost of living gives residents a small break.

With a regional price parity of 97.6, the Keystone State cost about 2.4% less than the rest of the country in 2024. Residents were able to rein in their personal spending increases compared to the rest of the country, with expenses rising only 2.2%. Unfortunately, personal income increases were also severely limited. Within a one-year timeframe, income within the state only rose 1.5%. The 0.7% difference represents how much of a hit the typical budget took. Food delivery expenses also threaten to account for a larger portion of spending.

The Buckeye State spent the sixth most on food delivery in the entire country. At an annual per-user budget of $1,948.80 in 2023, Ohioans seem to prioritize this discretionary spending area. The average American spent about 24% less on takeout, for reference. In fact, a median income of $39,686.40 suggests that the typical resident put up about 4.91% of their earnings on food delivery. Fortunately, residents may be able to trim off some of these expenses by choosing a cheaper delivery app. They're also getting an economic discount with overall living costs below the national average.

Federal economic information placed the regional price parity of the Buckeye State at 92.8 in 2024. That means living costs were about 7.2% cheaper than the rest of the country. Over the year prior, Ohio had experienced a 1.3% leap in its average personal spending, which is less than half that of the U.S. norm. Yet, the state's wages also grew at half the pace of the average, rising only by 1.3% over the whole year. With changes in expenses and earnings offsetting each other perfectly, Ohioans may not have noticed a difference in their relative spending on takeout.

New Mexico is the cheapest state for U.S. tourists to visit, but it's not known for its relative affordability when it comes to food delivery. Residents spent a sizable $1,906.53 per person on this optional expense category in 2023. Compared to the average American, residents of the state dedicated 22% more money to takeout. The median income was also on the lower end, hovering around $37,814.40. That means the average New Mexican contributed 5.04% of their annual earnings to food delivery. While the Land of Enchantment outspends on takeout, it also maintains a relatively affordable cost of living.

The state's regional price parity was 92.2 in 2024, which means residents tend to experience living costs 7.8% below the national level. Unlike many states that saw considerable swings in both spending and income over the past recorded year, New Mexico's changes were comparatively muted. The state only recorded a modest 0.8% jump in personal expenses, over 2% less than the rest of the nation. Income rose by 1.4% — far less than the U.S. average. New Mexico's earnings increased nearly twice as much as its spending, alleviating the financial pressure on residents.

If you've ever wondered about the money you're wasting by ordering takeout instead of cooking at home, the average Virginia's food delivery expense might make you feel better. On average, a resident coughed up about $1,885.02 on this voluntary expenditure in 2023. To add some context, the median income was $47,195.20 — one of the highest on this list. Still, food delivery comprised about 3.99% of a Virginian's earnings. In a financial boon to residents, Virginia is another state with living expenses right in line with the rest of the nation.

The regional price parity was 101.1 in 2024, which means the cost of living was only 1.1% above the norm. The economic data from 2024 also shows personal expenses rising by 3% in the state, neck and neck with the national average of 2.9%. Continuing the alignment with the national standard, Virginia's income rose by 3.1% on average, not far from the 2.9% for the U.S. The relative offset between spending and income increases means Virginians likely didn't see much more of a burden from their food delivery spending.

As one of the states that spends the most on food delivery, the Lone Star State, is once again proving that everything is bigger in Texas. The average Texan saw about $1,844.88 of their annual budget go to ordering takeout in 2023. This worked out to about 4.73% of their earnings, since the median income was $39,041.60. Texas could really take advantage of the little-known trick to scoring the cheapest takeout meals to help offset its annual outlays in this category, although residents are already shielded slightly with lower living costs.

Economic data indicate the Lone Star State was 2.9% cheaper to live in than other states in 2024, with a regional price parity of 97.1. Spending in Texas rose 3.5% that year, far above the national norm, indicating an unusual uptick in personal expenses for residents. Unfortunately, this rise in expenses wasn't supplemented by an equivalent rise in earnings. During the same period, income only rose by 2.7% for Texans. That 0.8% disparity represents a potential jump in the percentage of income that food delivery spending represented for the average person.

Louisiana is among the 10 states where you'll pay the highest sales taxes. This adds insult to injury, given that the Pelican State also ranks high in food delivery spending, with the average person consuming $1,809.91 in this category in 2023. For perspective, that's almost 16% above the U.S. average. The normal Louisianan earned about $37,315.20 that year, meaning about 4.85% of the median income went to food delivery. Happily, residents enjoy an unbeatable regional price parity far below the national average.

The cost of living in the state was estimated to be 11.8% below the national average in 2024, giving takeout enthusiasts a welcome break. In another financial win, Louisiana skirted by with only a 2.4% spike in personal spending that year, 0.5% below the national average. This was further supplemented by an above-standard surge in personal income. Residents saw their earnings rise by 3% in the same period. This positive growth likely helped minimize the relative financial pressure of higher-than-usual takeout spending.

With the country's largest population, and a cost of living far above the norm, you might expect to see Californians higher on the list of states that spend the most on food delivery. However, the annual budget for this category was $1,746.99 in 2023 — higher than the national average, but not in the top 10. Plus, the Golden State's relatively elevated median income of $47,923.20 that year helped to offset this expense. The average Californian saw 3.65% of their earnings put toward food delivery. If you happen to be in one of the most affordable places to live in California, these expenses may be lower. However, the average Californian faces a cost of living much higher than the norm.

The state's regional price parity was 110.7 in 2024, translating to living expenses 10.7% beyond the average. As you may expect with such a powerhouse economy, Californians raised their personal income by 5.5% that year. That was the highest earnings jump in the country. Although the state's consumption increase of 4.3% was also higher than average.

Regrettably, Alabama is among the states with the highest credit card delinquency rates. Based on the state's per-person average spending on food delivery, you may wonder if this expense is part of the problem. In 2023, the average resident spent about $1,695.27 on this discretionary line item, which stood about 8% higher than the average American. Meanwhile, the median Alabaman earned $37,252.80 that year. Based on reported spending habits, around 4.55% of this was siphoned off to food delivery. As a boon to locals, the state has a below-average cost of living.

Alabama's regional price parity was a budgetary 88.8 in 2024, meaning residents saw overall prices roughly 11.2% below the rest of the country. Throughout the year prior, personal expenses in the state jumped up 3%, roughly on par with the national norm. Income levels, on the other hand, rose at a faster pace, with residents experiencing a 3.4% increase in earnings, helping to offset their relatively high takeout spending.

Michigan residents spent about $1,689.39 of their annual budgets on food delivery in 2023. That's one of the highest in the country, yet still only about half as much as Iowa. It was 8% above the country's average. The median income in the Great Lake State that year was $45,198.40. Thus, the average resident spent roughly 3.74% of their earnings on food delivery. That wage may appear low compared to other states, but the salary benchmarks defining comfortable living in the Midwest differ. Additionally, Michigan holds a lower cost of living than the rest of the U.S.

More accurately, the regional price parity in the Great Lake State was 96.2 in 2024, meaning that living expenses were 3.8% under the U.S. norm. While most states saw a 2.9% increase in both personal expenses and income, Michiganders expected a much more modest shift in these areas. While personal expenditures rose 0.1%, earnings fell by 0.1%. While not exactly offsetting, these small shifts don't likely didn't change the relative portion of income that food delivery consumed.

The final spot on the list of states that spend the most on food delivery goes to the Magnolia State. Mississippians dedicated about $1,665.19 annually to food delivery in 2023. Unfortunately, Mississippi also holds the unenviable distinction of having the lowest income in the U.S. – the median income was just $35,068.80 in 2023. Despite spending the lowest on food delivery relative to other states on this list, Mississippi residents spent a decent portion of their earnings on it — at about 4.75%. The trade-off for a lower-than-average income is a dramatically reduced cost of living.

Mississippi boasted a regional price parity of 87 in 2024, meaning residents had living expenses at 13% below the national average. On top of that, Mississippians were able to limit their increase in personal expenses, only rising 1.4%. That means spending in the state rose at half the pace of the rest of the country. This minimal elevation of consumption was also mirrored by a limited rise in income. Mississippi only saw a 2% increase over the year prior, nearly one-third below the national average.