Fast food prices may be up roughly 60% over the past decade, but Maryland residents are still spending a smaller share of their income on those meals than almost anyone else in the country.
According to a new study from WalletHub, Maryland ranks second nationwide when comparing the cost of a typical fast food meal to median household income. Only New Jersey ranked better.
To determine where fast food places the greatest burden on consumers, WalletHub analyzed the average cost of three popular menu items, a hamburger, pizza, and a fried chicken sandwich, in all 50 states. Researchers then compared that total cost to each state’s median monthly household income.
Maryland’s combined meal cost represented just 0.28% of median household income, the second-lowest percentage in the nation. Neighboring Virginia also ranked among the lowest, coming in 43rd at 0.31%.
At the other end of the rankings, Mississippi residents spent the largest share of income on the same fast food meal at 0.48%, followed by Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia.
WalletHub emphasized that the rankings do not measure how much fast food people actually purchase. Instead, they reflect how large a portion of a household’s income would be required to buy the selected meal.
States Where Fast Food Takes the Smallest Share of Household Income:
- New Jersey (0.27%)
- Maryland (0.28%)
- Massachusetts (0.29%)
- Utah (0.29%)
- Connecticut (0.30%)
Neighboring Virginia ranked 43rd at 0.31%.
States Where Fast Food Takes the Largest Share of Household Income:
- Mississippi (0.48%)
- Arkansas (0.44%)
- Louisiana (0.44%)
- New Mexico (0.44%)
- West Virginia (0.44%)
To view the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-where-people-spend-the-most-least-on-fast-food/146260
