How Much a Gallon of Milk Costs in Every State (2023)
We compared the price of milk in every state. Here's what we found.
Updated: June 2023
Milk is a grocery staple for most people. But depending on where you live, the cost can vary drastically.
To get a better understanding of just how much the cost can vary, we compared the price of whole milk at 4,500+ stores across the U.S!
This allowed us to create the most comprehensive report of the price of milk in each state.
Since the cost of milk changes over time, we'll keep this page updated on a quarterly basis. The prices below are based on data collected in Q2 2023.
Keep scrolling to see the average cost of milk in your state, the most and least affordable states, and more.
Key Findings
Map of the average price of whole milk in every state.
States with the Most and Least Expensive Milk
Where milk is most expensive:
- Hawaii
- Pennsylvania
- Maine
- Alaska
- Louisiana
- New Jersey
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- California
- Mississippi
Where milk is least expensive:
- Arizona
- Nebraska
- Utah
- Indiana
- Ohio
- West Virginia
- Maryland
- Michigan
- District of Columbia (D.C)
- Illinois
How We Gathered Our Data
We analyzed the cost of one gallon of Great Value Whole Vitamin D Milk at 4,585 Walmart locations in the U.S and averaged the data by state.
By 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 by location, so you may find cheaper or more expensive milk near you. For instance, rural areas tend to have lower prices than major cities.
This data is for general research purposes and to provide insights into how the cost of milk varies in each state.
Average Price of Milk in Each State
State | Cost |
|---|---|
Alabama | $3.29 |
Alaska | $4.02 |
Arizona | $2.46 |
Arkansas | $3.35 |
California | $3.50 |
Colorado | $3.09 |
Connecticut | $2.81 |
Delaware | $2.67 |
District of Columbia | $2.66 |
Florida | $3.05 |
Georgia | $2.93 |
Hawaii | $5.98 |
Idaho | $2.96 |
Illinois | $2.67 |
Indiana | $2.57 |
Iowa | $2.74 |
Kansas | $3.20 |
Kentucky | $2.70 |
Louisiana | $3.84 |
Maine | $4.06 |
Maryland | $2.64 |
Massachusetts | $2.80 |
Michigan | $2.64 |
Minnesota | $2.73 |
Mississippi | $3.47 |
Missouri | $3.67 |
Montana | $3.12 |
Nebraska | $2.55 |
Nevada | $2.84 |
New Hampshire | $2.77 |
New Jersey | $3.82 |
New Mexico | $2.82 |
New York | $2.73 |
North Carolina | $2.87 |
North Dakota | $3.53 |
Ohio | $2.60 |
Oklahoma | $3.16 |
Oregon | $3.31 |
Pennsylvania | $4.28 |
Rhode Island | $2.77 |
South Carolina | $2.80 |
South Dakota | $2.92 |
Tennessee | $3.05 |
Texas | $2.81 |
Utah | $2.55 |
Vermont | $2.88 |
Virginia | $2.99 |
Washington | $3.07 |
West Virginia | $2.62 |
Wisconsin | $2.72 |
Wyoming | $3.07 |
Which States Have The Most Affordable Milk?
Paying $4.50 for a gallon of milk impacts you differently if you make $30K per year or $100K per year.
To understand which states have the most affordable milk, we analyzed the cost index, average household income and grocery cost index for each state. We then compared the median annual income of each state to it's average price of a gallon of milk.
We consider states with a higher ratio (higher median income and lower average price per gallon) to have more affordable milk.
For instance, if the average median income in a state is $130K, and milk costs $2.30, that's very affordable.
On the flip side, if a state had a median income of $40K, and milk costs $4.99 per gallon, that's not as affordable.
Scroll below to see the most and least affordable states for milk!
State | Median Income | Cost Index | Grocery Index |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $77,419 | 88.8 | 96.4 |
Alaska | $113,035 | 124.4 | 127.4 |
Arizona | $90,193 | 107.2 | 101.8 |
Arkansas | $74,475 | 90.3 | 95.4 |
California | $104,785 | 134.5 | 112.3 |
Colorado | $113,822 | 105.5 | 100.6 |
Connecticut | $121,958 | 113.1 | 99.8 |
Delaware | $103,598 | 102.6 | 103 |
District of Columbia | $146,440 | 148.7 | 106.9 |
Florida | $83,396 | 102.3 | 100.1 |
Georgia | $87,742 | 91 | 98.9 |
Hawaii | $104,704 | 179 | 125.6 |
Idaho | $87,960 | 106.1 | 103.7 |
Illinois | $101,951 | 90.8 | 97.5 |
Indiana | $89,800 | 91.5 | 98 |
Iowa | $95,739 | 89.7 | 96.8 |
Kansas | $88,271 | 87.7 | 96.8 |
Kentucky | $75,700 | 93.8 | 101.2 |
Louisiana | $73,393 | 92 | 95.1 |
Maine | $95,531 | 111.5 | 101.2 |
Maryland | $122,385 | 119.5 | 108.5 |
Massachusetts | $127,172 | 148.4 | 105 |
Michigan | $93,873 | 92.7 | 97.4 |
Minnesota | $114,267 | 94.1 | 97.2 |
Mississippi | $70,950 | 85.3 | 97.1 |
Missouri | $89,515 | 88.4 | 94.8 |
Montana | $84,019 | 103.7 | 103 |
Nebraska | $99,845 | 90.1 | 95.2 |
Nevada | $86,618 | 101.3 | 102.1 |
New Hampshire | $136,886 | 115 | 102.3 |
New Jersey | $122,540 | 114.1 | 103.9 |
New Mexico | $71,283 | 94.2 | 96.7 |
New York | $103,444 | 125.1 | 103 |
North Carolina | $87,369 | 96.1 | 99 |
North Dakota | $93,240 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
Ohio | $90,912 | 94 | 100.9 |
Oklahoma | $77,166 | 86 | 93.8 |
Oregon | $101,989 | 115.1 | 107.6 |
Pennsylvania | $100,888 | 99 | 100.9 |
Rhode Island | $109,514 | 110.5 | 100.5 |
South Carolina | $82,114 | 96.5 | 100.1 |
South Dakota | $92,794 | 93.8 | 98 |
Tennessee | $85,014 | 90.4 | 97.8 |
Texas | $87,228 | 93 | 94.8 |
Utah | $102,941 | 101.5 | 98.3 |
Vermont | $103,763 | 114.9 | 103.1 |
Virginia | $111,017 | 103.1 | 100.6 |
Washington | $116,345 | 115.1 | 109.7 |
West Virginia | $81,964 | 90.3 | 97.7 |
Wisconsin | $99,261 | 95 | 97.9 |
Wyoming | $93,651 | 92.8 | 102 |
What These Numbers Mean
Median Income: The average annual income for a family of three in each state. (source)
Cost Index: The cost of living index compares the average cost of basic goods and services between different geographic locations. The index takes into account various factors such as housing, transportation, groceries, healthcare, utilities, and other common expenses. Typically, a cost of living index assigns a baseline value of 100 to a specific location, which serves as a reference point. Locations with a higher index value are considered more expensive, while those with a lower index value are considered less expensive. For example, if a city has a cost of living index of 120, it means that, on average, it is 20% more expensive than the reference location. (source)
Grocery Cost Index: An index of the average cost of groceries compared to the national average. Scores above 100 mean the cost of groceries in that state is above the national average. Scores below 100 mean the cost of groceries in that state are below the national average.
These states have the most affordable milk:
- District of Columbia (D.C)
- New Hampshire
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Utah
- Rhode Island
- Nebraska
- Deleware
These states have the least affordable milk:
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Maine
- Pennsylvania
- Alabama
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- New Mexico
Why is Milk So Expensive in Hawaii?
You may have noticed that Hawaii not only has the most expensive milk in the country, but it's also the least affordable.
It's not too surprising considering Hawaii is one of the least affordable places to live in the U.S.
Hawaii’s high milk prices are primarily due to a lack of dairy farms.
Hawaii’s dairy production has been on a decline for decades, which limits supply. With high demand and little supply, there’s a surge in pricing.
Add in inflation, and it’s easy to see why Hawaii is the only state with where milk costs more than $5 per gallon.
How to Save Money on Milk
With the price of milk at record highs, what can you do to save a few bucks?
Shop Around
First and foremost, compare prices at several grocery stores. Our research found that the price of a gallon of milk can vary within the same city.
For instance, if you shop at Walmart, go online and compare the price of milk at multiple locations close to you.
You can even check the price at different stores for your milk and buy the best-priced option.
Look For Coupons
This tip is particularly helpful for people who don’t buy milk regularly. Wait until you find coupons or your store has a discount to buy milk.
Unfortunately, since milk spoils 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
There are a lot of milk options on the market, including plant-based brands. While some plant-based milk costs more than dairy (particularly ones with quality ingredients), you can also make your own at home.
All you need is a base (almonds, cashews, oats, etc.), water, and a blender.
Depending on your ingredients, you can make plant-based milk for less than a gallon of dairy milk!
FAQ
How much is a gallon of milk in Alabama?
A gallon of milk costs $3.29 in Alabama, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Alaska?
A gallon of milk costs $4.02 in Alaska, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Arizona?
A gallon of milk costs $2.46 in Arizona, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Arkansas?
A gallon of milk costs $3.35 in Arkansas, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in California?
A gallon of milk costs $3.50 in California, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Colorado?
A gallon of milk costs $3.09 in Colorado, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Connecticut?
A gallon of milk costs $2.81 in Connecticut, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Delaware?
A gallon of milk costs $2.67 in Delaware, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in District of Columbia?
A gallon of milk costs $2.66 in District of Columbia, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Florida?
A gallon of milk costs $3.05 in Florida, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Georgia?
A gallon of milk costs $2.93 in Georgia, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Hawaii?
A gallon of milk costs $5.98 in Hawaii, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Idaho?
A gallon of milk costs $2.96 in Idaho, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Illinois?
A gallon of milk costs $2.67 in Illinois, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Indiana?
A gallon of milk costs $2.57 in Indiana, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Iowa?
A gallon of milk costs $2.74 in Iowa, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Kansas?
A gallon of milk costs $3.20 in Kansas, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Kentucky?
A gallon of milk costs $2.70 in Kentucky, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Louisiana?
A gallon of milk costs $3.84 in Louisiana, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Maine?
A gallon of milk costs $4.06 in Maine, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Maryland?
A gallon of milk costs $2.64 in Maryland, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Massachusetts?
A gallon of milk costs $2.80 in Massachusetts, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Michigan?
A gallon of milk costs $2.64 in Michigan, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Minnesota?
A gallon of milk costs $2.73 in Minnesota, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Mississippi?
A gallon of milk costs $3.47 in Mississippi, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Missouri?
A gallon of milk costs $3.67 in Missouri, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Montana?
A gallon of milk costs $3.12 in Montana, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Nebraska?
A gallon of milk costs $2.55 in Nebraska, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Nevada?
A gallon of milk costs $2.84 in Nevada, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in New Hampshire?
A gallon of milk costs $2.77 in New Hampshire, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in New Jersey?
A gallon of milk costs $3.82 in New Jersey, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in New Mexico?
A gallon of milk costs $2.82 in New Mexico, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in New York?
A gallon of milk costs $2.73 in New York, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in North Carolina?
A gallon of milk costs $2.87 in North Carolina, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in North Dakota?
A gallon of milk costs $3.53 in North Dakota, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Ohio?
A gallon of milk costs $2.60 in Ohio, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Oklahoma?
A gallon of milk costs $3.16 in Oklahoma, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Oregon?
A gallon of milk costs $3.31 in Oregon, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Pennsylvania?
A gallon of milk costs $4.28 in Pennsylvania, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Rhode Island?
A gallon of milk costs $2.77 in Rhode Island, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in South Carolina?
A gallon of milk costs $2.80 in South Carolina, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in South Dakota?
A gallon of milk costs $2.92 in South Dakota, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Tennessee?
A gallon of milk costs $3.05 in Tennessee, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Texas?
A gallon of milk costs $2.81 in Texas, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Utah?
A gallon of milk costs $2.55 in Utah, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Vermont?
A gallon of milk costs $2.88 in Vermont, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Virginia?
A gallon of milk costs $2.99 in Virginia, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Washington?
A gallon of milk costs $3.07 in Washington, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in West Virginia?
A gallon of milk costs $2.62 in West Virginia, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Wisconsin?
A gallon of milk costs $2.72 in Wisconsin, on average.
How much is a gallon of milk in Wyoming?
A gallon of milk costs $3.07 in Wyoming, on average.
This data was researched and compiled by the team at Milk Pick. We welcome you to share our findings, but please credit us as the original source!
Milk Pick helps people find alternative milk options that are dairy free and delicious!
This website is for general education purposes only. The information on this website is not intended to be medical advice.
company
resources
©Copyright - 2024 | Privacy policy | Affiliate Disclosure