A new study has revealed the most and least expensive places to satisfy your love of pizza.
Pizza is arguably one of the most popular foods in the United States, but prices vary wildly, not just from state to state, but from restaurant to restaurant. Now, a U.S. Pizza Index from online lending platform NetCredit has revealed “where a medium-cheese pizza from one of the nation’s 10 largest pizza chains is the most and least affordable” by city and state. The platform utilized pricing information from Grubhub and DoorDash across 180 cities, which includes the 100 largest cities as well as the three largest cities in each state.
Key takeaways from the study:
- Indiana is the most budget friendly state for pizza, with the average medium cheese costing $13.95 across the 10 biggest pizza chains.
- Hawaii ($19.70) and California ($18.85) are the states with the most expensive average medium cheese pizza.
- The three large cities with the most expensive average pizza are all in California: San Diego ($20.76), San Jose ($20.02) and Los Angeles ($19.84).
- The average medium cheese pizza in Houston, Texas, costs just $14.42, making this the most affordable large city to grab a slice.
Some of the most shocking data comes when comparing prices from Hawaii and Indiana, according to the findings.
“Hawaii’s average pizza is 4.5% more expensive than California’s and 41.2% more than Indiana ($13.95), the state with the most budget-friendly pizza, based on our study,” the outlet noted. The price can reportedly be attributed to the cost of shipping, as the state imports up to 90% of its food.
Of the major US cities, Houston, Texas, is among the cheapest places to enjoy a slice, which is in line with its generally low cost of living.
“We found ten cities where the average pizza costs under $15, and three of them are in Texas. Indeed, Houston’s average medium cheese pizza costs just $14.42, the lowest among the major cities profiled. Houston has a low cost of living in general, and the big pizza chains are forced to offer competitive prices by a growing raft of independent pizzerias offering a more personal touch,” NetCredit explained.
If you’re looking for the leader of low-cost pizza, look no further than Little Caesars. They offer the most affordable pizza (at $10.27 for a medium cheese) on average, with runner-up Papa John’s clocking in at 17% higher with $12.38 for the same pie. They are also a whopping “45.9% or more cheaper than Pizza Hut or Domino’s,” NetCredit adds.
For those looking to save money on their next pizza order, the outlet has some tips, including “ordering bigger pizzas” and buying sides and drinks from the store. Many chains offer coupons and other deals that can help lower costs, while making pizza at home could be a significantly cheaper option if you have the time to spare.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.