Southern States Spend Highest Share of Income on Fast Food, Study Finds
A WalletHub study found that residents in Mississippi spend the largest percentage of their median household income on fast food at 0.48 percent, compared to 0.27 percent in New Jersey. The disparity is driven primarily by lower median household incomes in Southern states rather than higher fast food prices in those regions. Fast food prices have risen approximately 60 percent over the past decade, making the convenience less affordable for lower-income households nationwide.
According to a WalletHub analysis of fast food prices across all 50 states, Southern states show the highest burden of fast food spending relative to household income. Mississippi leads at 0.48 percent of median monthly household income, followed by Arkansas and Louisiana, while New Jersey has the lowest at 0.27 percent. The study examined the combined cost of a burger, small pizza, and fried chicken sandwich in each state, then compared these prices to median household incomes. The analysis reveals that the primary driver of this disparity is income inequality rather than regional price differences—Mississippi has the lowest median household income at $55,447, while its fast food prices are actually below the national average. Fast food prices have increased roughly 60 percent between 2014 and 2024, significantly outpacing general inflation and reducing affordability for lower-income households. The report notes that fast food costs approximately 1.8 times more in the most expensive states than the cheapest states when adjusted for median income.
What's missing
The study's methodology relies on a limited basket of three fast food items (burger, pizza, fried chicken sandwich) which may not fully represent typical fast food consumption patterns across different regions. Additionally, the analysis does not account for variations in fast food consumption frequency or portion sizes that might differ by state, nor does it control for cost-of-living differences beyond median household income.
What different sources said
- NewsweekCenter
Map Reveals States Where Americans Spend Most on Fast Food
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