Most and Least Expensive States for Pet Owners in 2026

Where you live determines how much you pay to own a pet. Americans in North Dakota spend about $2,467 annually on their dog and cat, while Californians pay about $3,143, a $676 gap that adds up to more than $8,100 over a pet's lifetime.

Pet ownership costs aren't just about location. Mississippi pet owners spend nearly 1% of their household income on pets, making it the least affordable state despite moderate costs. Utah ranks most affordable at just 0.48%.

MoneyGeek analyzed annual pet ownership costs across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., examining six expense categories: veterinary care, pet insurance, food, boarding, grooming and licensing. We modeled the cost of owning a dog and the cost of owning a cat in each jurisdiction, then created composite rankings weighted 60% to dog costs and 40% to cat costs.

The findings show clear regional divides. Great Plains and Midwest states claim nine of the 10 most affordable spots, with Kentucky rounding out the top 10. West Coast and Northeastern states make up most of the expensive end. The national average pet ownership cost is about $2,752 annually, but whether you need pet insurance depends on your financial situation and risk tolerance.

The cheapest states for pet owners cluster in the Great Plains and Midwest, where lower service prices and affordable pet insurance keep annual costs below $2,550.

North Dakota earns the top spot with annual costs of about $2,467, driven by affordable pet insurance premiums of about $492 for dogs and $267 for cats. Oklahoma and Montana follow close behind at about $2,462 and $2,491. The entire top five sits under $2,550 per year.

California ranks as the most expensive state for pet owners at about $3,143 annually, with Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Vermont rounding out the bottom five.

High pet insurance premiums drive much of California's expense. Dog owners pay about $809 annually for coverage, significantly more than in low-cost states like North Dakota. Veterinary service prices amplify the gap. Routine dog exams cost around $146 in California versus about $61 in lower-cost states.

California's average boarding rate of about $60 per night is nearly double North Dakota's $36. For pet owners who travel seven nights per year with their dog, that difference translates to about $168 in additional annual costs.

Absolute cost rankings don't capture the full affordability picture. We calculated pet costs as a percentage of median household income using 2024 Census data. Utah ranks as the most affordable state by this measure, with pet costs equal to just 0.48% of median household income.

Mississippi ranks least affordable at 0.99%, nearly double Utah's share.

Massachusetts illustrates how income transforms affordability. It ranks second-most expensive overall at about $3,080 annually but fourth-most affordable relative to income because its $113,900 median household income easily absorbs pet costs.

Mississippi pet owners spend nearly 1% of median household income on pets, nearly double Utah's rate. Lower median incomes in Southern and Appalachian states make even moderate pet costs a heavier burden relative to household budgets.

Dogs cost more to own than cats across every state in our analysis. The average cost of owning a dog per year is about $3,091, while the average cost of owning a cat per year is about $2,242, based on the average of all state-level costs in our study. Dogs cost about 38% more, driven by higher insurance premiums, boarding expenses and food costs.

Pet insurance explains much of the gap. Dog insurance premiums average about $634 annually across all states, compared to about $351 for cats. Dogs average seven boarding nights per year at about $43 per night, totaling roughly $301 annually. Cats average five nights at the same rate, coming to about $215 per year.

Food represents another major difference, with dogs averaging about $750 annually compared to about $500 for cats. Veterinary care runs more expensive for dogs, with the average dog owner spending about $677 on veterinary care annually versus about $479 for cat owners.

Four expense categories create the widest gaps between states. Pet insurance accounts for the largest share of variation, while veterinary care prices amplify regional differences. Boarding and grooming costs respond to local service markets, and food prices shift with regional inflation rates.

Income-adjusted affordability matters more than raw cost for most households. Pet ownership remains broadly affordable nationwide, with costs under 1% of median household income in every state. The national average of about $2,752 represents less than 0.6% of the American household's median income.

Proactive planning and preventive care help pet owners stay within budget regardless of location. Regular vet visits catch health problems early, before they become expensive emergencies. Smart shopping for insurance, food and services keeps costs manageable.

MoneyGeek analyzed annual pet ownership costs for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., modeling a standard dog and cat. We estimated costs across six categories using state-specific data where available and national baselines adjusted by regional price indices.

We created composite annual cost rankings by weighting dog costs at 60% and cat costs at 40%, reflecting that U.S. households own more dogs than cats. This weighted approach produces a single affordability score for each state that accounts for the relative prevalence of both pet types.

The table below shows annual pet ownership costs for all 51 jurisdictions, ranked from most affordable to most expensive. Data represents estimated annual costs for a dog and cat household.

MoneyGeek's 2026 analysis of pet ownership costs examines how location affects the affordability of owning dogs and cats across America. The study combines state-level pet insurance data, veterinary cost research and regional price indices.

For questions about methodology or media inquiries, please contact MoneyGeek.