The Cost of a Turkey in Every State [Thanksgiving 2023 Study]
FinanceBuzz looked up turkey prices in every state to find out where home cooks can expect to pay the most and least for their Thanksgiving dinner.
by Chris Lewis, Edited by Mindy Woodall, Finance Buzz, Nov. 21, 2023
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Home chefs across America are gearing up for the biggest feast of the year. But between rising consumer debt and the rising costs of goods, Thanksgiving 2023 could look different — and more expensive — for most.
High grocery prices this year are leading some families to make alternate plans for the most essential Thanksgiving menu item: the turkey. FinanceBuzz collected turkey prices from U.S. grocery stores to find the average cost of a Thanksgiving turkey in each state.
- On average, Americans can expect to pay $35.40 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.36 per pound.
- At more than $50 per bird ($52.85), Hawaii has the highest average turkey prices of all the states. In the contiguous U.S., Minnesota and California tie for the highest average price at $41.85.
- Louisianans can expect to pay just $27.30 on average for their Thanksgiving turkey, which is the lowest rate in the nation.
- Overall in 2023, turkey prices are up 3.5% from last year.
How much are Thanksgiving turkeys this year? Average turkey costs by state
As is the case with many goods, the most expensive average turkey prices in the U.S. were found away from the contiguous United States. Residents of Hawaii can expect to pay the highest rate in the country ($52.85) for a 15-pound turkey. That’s nearly 50% more than the national average of $35.40.
Turkeys cost more than $10 less in Alaska ($42.35), but that still makes the bird more expensive than in any of the remaining 48 states. Hawaiians and Alaskans are no strangers to high prices. Alaska and Hawaii consistently rank among the most expensive states to live in due to the high costs of transporting goods to the non-contiguous states.
On the mainland, Minnesota and California have the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $41.85 on average in each of those states. America’s smallest state, Rhode Island, rounds out the top five.
States with the most affordable Thanksgiving turkeys
Turkeys are most affordable in Louisiana, where they cost just $27.30 on average. That’s over $8 cheaper than the national average. A number of nearby states have similarly affordable turkeys this year. Oklahoma ($27.85), Kansas ($27.85), Mississippi ($29.25), and Missouri ($29.35) make up the most affordable states.
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