How much fast food does Alabama eat? New study reveals a lot. Here’s where AL ranks

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In a nation where drive-thru lanes are part of everyday life, fast food remains a go-to option for millions of Americans.

A new study from WalletHub ranks all 50 states based on how much they spend on fast food, and Alabama is among the top spenders. While the state did not rank the highest, it lands near the top of the list, reflecting just how quick meals are in daily routines.

Are you curious where Alabama stands and how the rest of the country compares? Here’s what WalletHub’s data shows:

Alabama among top 10 states where fast food hits wallets the hardest

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fast food isn’t as cheap as it used to be. Prices have jumped 47% over the past decade.

Alabama ranks No. 7 in the nation for fast food spending, according to WalletHub. The study compared the cost of everyday fast-food items to median household incomes in all 50 states. The high ranking suggest that fast food takes up a larger share of the average budget in Alabama compared to most states as it’s spending totals 0.43% of the median monthly household income.

Top 10 U.S. states that spend the most on fast food

Here’s how Alabama ranked compared to the other states:

1. Mississippi: 0.47%
2. New Mexico: 0.47%
3. Kentucky: 0.46%
4. Arkansas: 0.45%
5. West Virginia: 0.44%
6. Louisiana: 0.44%
7. Alabama: 0.43%
8. Montana: 0.43%
9. Oklahoma: 0.42%
10. Vermont: 0.42%

Top 10 states that spend the least amount on fast food

Here are the states that spend the least amount on fast food according to WalletHub’s study:

1. Massachusetts: 0.29%
2. New Jersey: 0.29%
3. Connecticut: 0.30%
4. Utah: 0.30%
5. New Hampshire: 0.30%
6. Minnesota: 0.31%
7. Maryland: 0.31%
8. Virginia: 0.31%
9. Colorado: 0.32%
10. Washington: 0.33%

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected].