More and less expensive states to buy milk! (2023)

We compare the price of milk in all states. This is what we found.

Milk is a staple food for many people. But depending on where you live, the cost can vary drastically.

In fact, the average price of a gallon of milk recently hit an all-time high.

However, some states are feeling the increase more than others.

We crunch the numbers to determine how much milk costs in each state.

main conclusions

Hawaihas the most expensive milk in the US in$5.94 per gallon
Georgiahas the cheapest milk, in$1.67 per gallon
A gallon of milk costs $3.50 to $4.00 in most states.
The states with the cheapest milk are mostly in the Midwest or near the centers of dairy production.

States with the most and least expensive milk

Where milk is most expensive:

Hawai
Pennsylvania
Maine
New Jersey
Louisiana
Measurements
north dakota
Alaska
Arkansas
Mississippi

Where milk is cheapest:

Georgia
Texas
Kentucky
NY
Nebraska
Iowa
Michigan
Illinois
Dakota del Sur
Maryland

How we collect our data

Our data is based on the cost of a gallon of Great Value Vitamin D Whole Milk at a Walmart located in (or closer to) the largest city in each state.

Using Walmart as our source, we were able to compare "apples to apples" for the cost of milk in each state.

Keep in mind that prices can vary from state to state and city to city, so you may find cheaper or more expensive milk near you. For example, rural areas tend to have lower prices than big cities.

This data is for general research purposes and to provide information on how the cost of milk varies by state.

Average price of milk in each state

wdt_ID	state	price per gallon	cost index	family income	grocery cost
1	Alabama	3,66	87,90	71.964	98,20
2	Alaska	3,96	127.10	98.811	134,50
3	Arizona	3.28	103,20	84.380	101,50
4	Arkansas	3,93	90,90	69.357	93,10
5	California	3,85	142,20	111.622	113,70
6	Colorado	3,67	105,30	100.933	98,10
7	Connecticut	3.12	121,60	115.337	106,40
8	Delaware	3.22	107,90	92.308	114,00
9	Florida	3.14	100,30	83.104	105,60
10	Georgia	1,67	88,80	85.691	95,90
11	Hawai	5,94	193,30	107.348	152,90
12	Idaho	3.03	102.10	77.399	93,80
13	Illinois	2,93	94,30	95.115	98,40
14	Indiana	3.06	90,60	76.984	92,70
15	Iowa	2.83	89,90	80.316	98,40
sixteen	Kansas	3.22	86,50	82.103	91,70
17	Kentucky	2.32	93,10	72.318	92,10
18	Louisiana	4.04	93,00	73.759	96,80
19	Maine	4,77	115,00	78.301	102.20
20	Maryland	2,96	124,00	114.236	110,40
21	Massachusetts	3.42	135,00	115.964	119,30
22	Michigan	2.83	91,30	80.803	90,10
23	Minnesota	3.34	100,00	96.814	103,90
24	Mississippi	3,87	83,30	65.156	92,20
25	Measurements	4.03	89,80	78.194	95,00
26	Montana	3.46	100,70	76.834	103,40
27	Nebraska	2.56	93,70	82.306	98,60
28	Nevada	3.14	106,30	84.350	107,00
29	new hampshire	3.12	109,90	101.292	103,60
30	New Jersey	4.35	115,20	117.868	107,30
31	New Mexico	3.17	91,00	70.241	95,50
32	NY	2.38	148,20	105.304	118,40
33	North Carolina	3,64	95,70	79.620	97,60
34	north dakota	4.01	98,20	85.506	101,00
35	Ohio	3.06	91,30	78.797	99,20
36	Oklahoma	3,60	87,90	74.195	94,50
37	Oregon	3.62	130,10	88.137	107,80
38	Pennsylvania	4,92	102,50	87.262	107,80
39	Rhode Island	3.02	117,20	92.427	107,70
40	South Carolina	3.62	93,60	76.390	99,50
41	Dakota del Sur	2,93	101,00	77.932	102.10
42	Tennessee	3,84	89,00	76.937	94,70
43	Texas	2.06	92,10	89.506	90,80
44	Utah	3.26	99,00	94.452	97,30
45	Vermont	3.62	117,00	83.767	109,20
46	Virginia	3,58	101,80	106.023	95,20
47	Washington	3.62	111,60	103.669	108,40
49	West Virginia	3.57	90,50	65.332	96,50
50	Wisconsin	3.30	96,40	82.757	99,50
51	Wyoming	3,86	94,30	83.583	102,70

What do these numbers mean

Price per gallon:The amount of one gallon of Great Value Vitamin D whole milk at a Walmart located in (or closer to) the largest city in each state.

Cost index:Cost of living indices are calculated by first determining a baseline for comparison. When comparing costs between states, the average cost of living in the United States is used as the baseline set at 100. States are measured against this baseline. For example, a state with a cost of living index of 200 is twice as expensive as the national average. Likewise, living in a state with an index of 50 will cost about half the national average.(fuente)

Family income:The median annual income of the state. (fuente)

Grocery Cost Index:An index of the average cost of groceries compared to the national average. Scores above 100 mean that the cost of food in that state is above the national average. Scores below 100 mean the cost of groceries in that state is below the national average.

What states have the most affordable milk?

The cost of milk is relative to how much you earn. Paying $4.50 for a gallon of milk affects you differently whether you make $30,000 a year or $100,000 a year.

To understand which states have the most affordable milk, we compared each state's median annual income to the price of a gallon of milk.

These states have the most affordable milk:

Georgia
NY
Texas
Maryland
Connecticut
Massachusetts
new hampshire
Illinois
Nebraska
Kentucky

These states have the least affordable milk:

Maine
Mississippi
Arkansas
Pennsylvania
Hawai
Louisiana
West Virginia
Measurements
Alabama
Tennessee

Trends in milk prices

Here are some trends we noticed when researching the cost of milk in the US.

1. Milk is cheaper in the Midwest.

The cost of milk is cheaper in the Midwestern and Southern states than it is on the East and West coasts.

For example, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, and South Dakota have some of the lowest milk prices in the country.

2. Milk is cheaper near milk production areas

In accordance withUSDA, California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, and New York produce more than 50% of the country's milk supply each year.

Looking at the data, you'll notice that milk costs less in these states and surrounding areas.

3. Milk is more expensive in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the least affordable places to live in the United States.

So it should come as no surprise that, like many products, a gallon of milk is the most expensive in Hawaii.

The high prices of milk in Hawaii are mainly due to alack of dairy.

Hawaii's dairy production has been in decline for decades, limiting supply. With high demand and low supply, there is an increase in prices. Add in inflation and it's easy to see why milk costs more than $5 a gallon on the island.

How to save money on milk

With milk prices at all-time highs, what can you do to save a few bucks?

Shopping around

First, compare prices at various supermarkets. Our research found that the price of a liter of milk can vary within the same city.

For example, if you shop at Walmart, go online and compare the price of milk at various locations near you.

You can even check the price of your milk in different stores and buy the option with the best price.

look for coupons

This tip is especially useful for people who don't buy milk regularly. Wait until you find coupons or your store has a discount to buy milk.

Unfortunately, because milk spoils so quickly, you won't be able to stock up during sales. But at least you'll save some money a few times a year!

Try other types of milk

Haylots of milk optionson the market, including herbal brands. While some plant-based milks cost more than store-bought dairy (especially those with quality ingredients), you can also make your own at home.

All you need is a base (almonds,drawer chestnut,avena, etc.), water and a blender.

Depending on your ingredients, you can make plant-based milk for less than a gallon of milk!

These data were researched and collected by the Milk Pick team. We invite you to share our findings, but please credit us as the original source!