United States States Ranked by Thanksgiving Generosity and Stinginess
Thanksgiving Dinner Spending Across America
This year, Americans are preparing for a Thanksgiving dinner that will see significant variations in spending across the nation.
According to recent data, millennial-aged Americans will collectively spend 17% less on their Thanksgiving dinner compared to all other generations combined. The average American household, however, will still spend $107.01 on the holiday meal.
In terms of state-level spending, the highest average budget goes to Mississippi, where households will spend approximately $321 on their Thanksgiving dinner. On the other end of the spectrum, Florida has one of the lowest average spends at around $130. Alabama, known for its Southern hospitality, follows closely behind with an average spend of $176.56 per household.
Birmingham, Alabama, stands out as the highest-spending city in the state, with an average spend of $165.00 per household for Thanksgiving dinner. Florida's urban areas, including Miami and Kissimmee, also have some of the highest Thanksgiving dinner budgets in the US. Miami, in particular, has the highest spend per household at $205.40.
Turkey prices, a major part of the dinner expense, vary significantly across the country. Hawaii has the highest average price for a 15-pound turkey at $52.85, followed by Alaska at $44.85. On the mainland, California has the highest turkey prices at $39.85.
Interestingly, Mississippi, with its high average spending, is not the state with the highest turkey costs. Kentucky is the second most generous state with an average spend of $175 per household for Thanksgiving dinner, but its turkey prices are generally lower than those in Mississippi.
Arkansas has the lowest spend per household at $39.58 for Thanksgiving dinner, despite having one of the lowest turkey prices. Dayton, OH has a higher spend per household than the rest of Ohio, with a budget of $130.00 for Thanksgiving dinner. Tennessee has an average spend of $65.22 per household for Thanksgiving dinner.
Almost half of the millennials who will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year plan to keep their budget under $50. Maryland has an average budget of $139.13 for Thanksgiving dinner, while Buffalo, NY has a spend of $160.00 per household. Kissimmee, Florida, another urban area, has a generous budget of $120.00 per household for Thanksgiving dinner.
In summary, while Thanksgiving dinner spending varies greatly across the United States, millennials are expected to spend less than other generations combined. The highest overall holiday meal spend is in Mississippi, driven by factors beyond just turkey cost, and the lowest is in Florida, with turkey prices being highest in Hawaii and Alaska but these states not necessarily leading in total dinner spend.
- Despite the overall lower spending on Thanksgiving dinner compared to other generations, millennials in Baltimore, Maryland, plan to keep their budget under $50, similar to the budget in Kissimmee, Florida.
- In the realm of personal-finance and budgeting, Paris Las Vegas, a casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, could offer a unique Thanksgiving dinner experience for those who prefer a break from traditional home-cooked meals, with prices potentially varying significantly from the averages seen across America.
