Nevadans spend less on fast food than most other states. Here’s the data

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Nevada ranked in the lower third of states that spend the most on fast food, according to a new study.

Nevadans typically spend 0.35% of their monthly income on drive-thru meals, but they’re spending less on fast food than most of the country, according to data analysis by personal finance company WalletHub.

The study that analyzes what share of each state’s median income residents spend on fast food monthly. The study then ranked the portions of residents’ income spent on fast food in each state from highest to lowest.

Here’s a look at what states spend the most on fast food, what states spend the least and answers to other commonly asked questions.

What states spend the most on fast food?

Ranking, state, percentage of median monthly income spent on fast food

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%

What states spend the least on fast food?

Ranking / state / percentage of median monthly income spent on fast food according to WalletHub

1. Massachusetts, 0.29%
2. New Jersey, 0.29%
3. Connecticut, 0.3%
4. Utah, 0.3%
5. New Hampshire, 0.3%
6. Minnesota, 0.31%
7. Maryland, 0.31%
8. Virginia, 0.31%
9. Colorado, 0.32%
10. Washington, 0.33%

How much do Nevadans spend on fast food?

According to WalletHub’s study, Nevadans spend 0.35% of their monthly income on food. That means Nevadans spend about $112.56 a month on fast food, based on the United States Census Bureau’s data that says the median annual income of an individual Nevadan is $38,594.

How much do people usually spend on fast food?

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2024 Consumer Expenditure Survey Americans spent an average of $3,639 on takeout or restaurant food in 2022. By comparison, Americans spent about $5,703 on food at home.

The real median household income was $80,610 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means the typical American likely spends about 0.45% of their income on food out and 0.7% of their income on home-cooked food.

Are fast food prices increasing?

Yes, fast food prices have increased 47% in the last decade, according to WalletHub, far outpacing inflation.

“With fast food prices rising by an average of 47% over the past decade, it’s fair for consumers to wonder whether the convenience of having food in minutes is really even worth it anymore, ” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “Where you live can have a big impact on how much you shell out for fast food, too; it costs around 1.6 times more in the most expensive states than the cheapest states, relative to the median income.”

This likely has an impact on how the states ranked in WalletHub’s ranking as well. The more expensive the fast food costs in each state, the more residents will have to pay to eat it.