If you’re on a summer road trip and dreaming about pizza, there’s fresh info on where to find affordable slices across the U.S.
As more Americans tighten their dining-out budgets, a recent study sheds light on locations where travelers can make their food dollars stretch further this summer.
According to a report by US Pizza Index, which analyzed prices from major pizza chains, Indiana emerged as the most wallet-friendly state for pizza, with an average medium cheese pizza costing about $13.96.
In contrast, Hawaii takes the crown for the priciest pizza, where residents shell out around $19.70 for a medium cheese, which is significantly high due to the costs of importation.
California doesn’t fare much better, with average prices hitting $18.85. After Indiana, other states with relatively low pizza prices include Alabama ($14.04), Michigan ($14.32), Kentucky ($14.64), and Kansas ($15.00).
Following Hawaii and California, the most expensive states for a medium cheese pizza include Alaska ($18.60), Illinois and New York ($17.87), and Rhode Island ($17.76).
Interestingly, Houston stands out as the most affordable big city for pizza, averaging $14.42. It seems that big urban centers can offer budget-friendly options, as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas, also rank as affordable at $14.50 and $14.64, respectively.
On the opposite end, the top three cities where pizza is the priciest are within California: San Diego ($20.76), San Jose ($20.02), and Los Angeles ($19.84). Honolulu also ranks high at fourth place.
As consumers look for ways to cut back on dining expenses while still enjoying their favorite meals, the study references a previous report where individuals were opting for smaller pizzas with fewer toppings due to financial constraints.
The research from NetCredit suggests that younger generations favor plain cheese pizza, reflecting both taste and health trends. Interestingly, they advise a slightly counterintuitive tip—ordering larger pizzas may actually be more cost-effective than multiple smaller ones.
This makes sense, considering how a 16-inch pizza can provide much more food compared to two 8-inch pizzas, according to the researchers. They emphasize being mindful of portion sizes and contemplating larger orders when sharing with others. And of course, checking for coupons or ordering store-bought sides can help stretch the budget even further.
