Thanksgiving Dinner Expenses Exceed $80 for Americans Nationwide This Year
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to break down how the Democrat-led shutdown froze critical labor reports, stalled business growth, and shook confidence across global markets.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, the leftovers are neatly stored, and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. Before shoppers rush into Black Friday and Cyber Monday, let’s take a look at how much Thanksgiving dinners cost across the United States this year.
The national average cost for a Thanksgiving meal serving 12 people was $80.22, according to a report by the Center of Food Demand Analysis & Sustainability at Purdue University. This average meal included a whole turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and an apple pie with whipped cream.
Hawaii emerged as the most expensive state for Thanksgiving dinner, with a total cost of $96.77 for a group of 12. Alaska followed closely as the second most expensive state at $89.30, both states reflecting a price increase of about 12% over the national average.
THANKSGIVING BECOMES BRITISH OBSESSION AS YOUNGER GENERATIONS EMBRACE AMERICAN HOLIDAY
A customer checks the price on a Shady Brooks Farm frozen turkey at Ozzie’s Fresh Market in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Liz Clayman/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
On the mainland, Maryland and Nebraska were reported as the most expensive states for Thanksgiving dinner, costing $85.45 and $85.01, respectively. Other states with high costs included California, South Dakota, Virginia, New York, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
Despite expectations of price drops as Thanksgiving approached, the cost of turkey remained high this year, with the national average for a 16-pound turkey at $33.63.
The national average for a 16-pound turkey for Thanksgiving this year was $33.63. (iStock / iStock)
For those opting for organic options, the price was significantly higher, with organic turkeys averaging $50.63, or $3.16 per pound—about 50% more than their non-organic counterparts. Other Thanksgiving staples included 12 bread rolls at $2.36, one pound of butter at $4.05, five pounds of potatoes at $9.95, two pounds of green beans at $7.33, 12 ounces of cranberries at $2.52, and two pounds of apple pie at $4.11.
The most affordable states for Thanksgiving dinner this year were Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, and South Carolina, with Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Montana, and Florida following closely. Dinner costs in Georgia and Kansas were approximately 12% lower than the national average.
A shopper carries a basket inside a grocery store in the Bronx borough of New York City on Oct. 24, 2025. (Kena Betancur/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)
On a national scale, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) saw an increase of 0.3% in September, marking a 3% rise over the past year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October report.
Additionally, the food index increased by 3.1% from September 2024 to 2025. As Americans prepare for holiday travel, the gasoline index also rose by 4.1% in September.
The longest government shutdown in history has delayed the October inflation report, which was originally scheduled for release on November 13. As of now, it remains uncertain when this report will be made available.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to break down how the Democrat-led shutdown froze critical labor reports, stalled business growth, and shook confidence across global markets.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, the leftovers are neatly stored, and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. Before shoppers rush into Black Friday and Cyber Monday, let’s take a look at how much Thanksgiving dinners cost across the United States this year.
The national average cost for a Thanksgiving meal serving 12 people was $80.22, according to a report by the Center of Food Demand Analysis & Sustainability at Purdue University. This average meal included a whole turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and an apple pie with whipped cream.
Hawaii emerged as the most expensive state for Thanksgiving dinner, with a total cost of $96.77 for a group of 12. Alaska followed closely as the second most expensive state at $89.30, both states reflecting a price increase of about 12% over the national average.
THANKSGIVING BECOMES BRITISH OBSESSION AS YOUNGER GENERATIONS EMBRACE AMERICAN HOLIDAY
A customer checks the price on a Shady Brooks Farm frozen turkey at Ozzie’s Fresh Market in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Liz Clayman/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
On the mainland, Maryland and Nebraska were reported as the most expensive states for Thanksgiving dinner, costing $85.45 and $85.01, respectively. Other states with high costs included California, South Dakota, Virginia, New York, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
Despite expectations of price drops as Thanksgiving approached, the cost of turkey remained high this year, with the national average for a 16-pound turkey at $33.63.
The national average for a 16-pound turkey for Thanksgiving this year was $33.63. (iStock / iStock)
For those opting for organic options, the price was significantly higher, with organic turkeys averaging $50.63, or $3.16 per pound—about 50% more than their non-organic counterparts. Other Thanksgiving staples included 12 bread rolls at $2.36, one pound of butter at $4.05, five pounds of potatoes at $9.95, two pounds of green beans at $7.33, 12 ounces of cranberries at $2.52, and two pounds of apple pie at $4.11.
The most affordable states for Thanksgiving dinner this year were Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, and South Carolina, with Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Montana, and Florida following closely. Dinner costs in Georgia and Kansas were approximately 12% lower than the national average.
A shopper carries a basket inside a grocery store in the Bronx borough of New York City on Oct. 24, 2025. (Kena Betancur/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)
On a national scale, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) saw an increase of 0.3% in September, marking a 3% rise over the past year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October report.
Additionally, the food index increased by 3.1% from September 2024 to 2025. As Americans prepare for holiday travel, the gasoline index also rose by 4.1% in September.
The longest government shutdown in history has delayed the October inflation report, which was originally scheduled for release on November 13. As of now, it remains uncertain when this report will be made available.
