Cheapest States for Pet Ownership
Pet ownership costs — including food, veterinary care, grooming, insurance, and supplies — vary by state. Local prices for services such as vet care, grooming and boarding follow overall price levels: on the C2ER Cost of Living Index (via MERIC), Q2 2026 (100 = the national average) California is 140.3 and New York 132.6, about 69% and 60% above Oklahoma (83.0), the lowest. This guide ranks all 50 states by that index to help you plan your budget.
- Oklahoma ranks #1 with the lowest cost of living at 83.
- Hawaii ranks last at 185.8 — the highest among all states.
- The top 5 states are Oklahoma, Alabama, Iowa, West Virginia, Kansas.
- The ranking basis, source limitations, and calculation method are documented in the Methodology section below.
Top 3 States
All 50 States Ranked
Lowest to highest by cost of living
| # | State | Cost of Living | Median Income | Sales Tax | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 83 | $66,148 | 4.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 2 | Alabama | 86 | $66,659 | 4.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 3 | Iowa | 86.1 | $75,501 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 4 | West Virginia | 87 | $60,798 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 5 | Kansas | 87.1 | $75,514 | 6.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 6 | Mississippi | 87.4 | $59,127 | 7.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 7 | Missouri | 88.2 | $71,589 | 4.225% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 8 | Arkansas | 89 | $62,106 | 6.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 9 | Indiana | 89.7 | $71,959 | 7.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 10 | Tennessee | 89.7 | $71,997 | 7.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 11 | Georgia | 90.1 | $79,991 | 4.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 12 | Nebraska | 90.1 | $76,376 | 5.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 13 | New Mexico | 90.2 | $67,816 | 4.875% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 14 | North Dakota | 90.5 | $77,871 | 5.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 15 | Texas | 90.8 | $79,721 | 6.25% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 16 | Louisiana | 91.3 | $60,986 | 5.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 17 | Michigan | 92.1 | $72,389 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 18 | South Carolina | 92.7 | $72,350 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 19 | Ohio | 93 | $72,212 | 5.75% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 20 | Minnesota | 93.4 | $87,117 | 6.875% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 21 | South Dakota | 93.5 | $76,881 | 4.20% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 22 | Kentucky | 94 | $64,526 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 23 | Wyoming | 94.4 | $75,532 | 4.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 24 | Illinois | 94.5 | $83,211 | 6.25% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 95.3 | $77,545 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 26 | Wisconsin | 95.7 | $77,488 | 5.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 27 | North Carolina | 96.7 | $73,958 | 4.75% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 28 | Utah | 98.4 | $96,658 | 6.10% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 29 | Virginia | 99 | $92,090 | 5.30% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 30 | Idaho | 99.4 | $81,166 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 31 | Delaware | 100.6 | $87,534 | 0.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 32 | Florida | 100.8 | $77,735 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 33 | Colorado | 102.7 | $97,113 | 2.90% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 34 | Connecticut | 103.6 | $96,049 | 6.35% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 35 | Nevada | 105.4 | $81,134 | 6.85% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 36 | Montana | 106 | $75,340 | 0.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 37 | New Hampshire | 108.5 | $99,782 | 0.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 38 | Arizona | 108.6 | $81,486 | 5.60% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 39 | Oregon | 110.4 | $85,220 | 0.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 40 | Rhode Island | 110.9 | $83,504 | 7.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 41 | Maine | 112.9 | $76,442 | 5.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 42 | Vermont | 113.4 | $82,730 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 43 | Washington | 115.1 | $99,389 | 6.50% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 44 | Maryland | 118.8 | $102,905 | 6.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 45 | New Jersey | 119.2 | $104,294 | 6.625% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 46 | Alaska | 124.5 | $95,665 | 0.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 47 | New York | 132.6 | $85,820 | 4.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 48 | California | 140.3 | $100,149 | 7.25% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 148.1 | $104,828 | 6.25% | Pet Cost Calculator |
| 50 | Hawaii | 185.8 | $100,745 | 4.00% | Pet Cost Calculator |
Methodology
How we collected and ranked the data
States are ranked by cost of living index (ascending) as a proxy for overall pet costs: veterinary services, grooming and boarding are local services whose prices follow local price levels. The index is the C2ER Cost of Living Index (via MERIC), Q2 2026 (100 = the national average), not a measurement of pet spending; median household income is the Census Bureau's (ACS 2024) and the sales tax column is the statewide rate.
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View all 107 state comparisonsFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to own a dog per year?
It depends on the dog's size and health, your state's prices and the care you choose. The main lines are food, routine and emergency vet care, insurance, grooming and supplies: price each locally and add them up in the pet cost calculator.
Are cats cheaper than dogs?
Usually. Cats eat less, rarely need professional grooming and often have lower routine vet costs, though indoor cats add litter and supplies. Compare both in the pet cost calculator with your own local prices.
Which state is cheapest for veterinary care?
States with lower costs of living — like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and West Virginia — consistently have the lowest veterinary costs. Ask local clinics for their exam fee, since prices vary within every state.