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Sales data shows that margaritas are the number one most popular cocktail in the U.S. and, while you can indulge at any time of year, Cinco de Mayo is a natural time to order a round of margs.
With Cinco de Mayo coming up, the FinanceBuzz team wanted to see where this well-loved libation costs the most and least. Our team looked up the average cost of a margarita at bars and restaurants in every state to find the highest and lowest prices nationwide.
Key findings
- The average price for a margarita around the country is $9.46 on average — up 3.26% from last year.
- The state where a margarita costs the most is Hawaii, at $12.81 on average.
- There are 19 different states where margaritas cost more than $10 on average.
- A margarita is most affordable in Alabama, with an average cost of $6.23.
- Iowa ($6.91) and Arkansas ($6.94) are the only other states where margaritas cost less than $7 on average.
The average cost for a margarita in every state
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Across the country, celebrants can expect to shell out $9.46 on average for a margarita on Cinco de Mayo, though that cost can be up to $3 more or less than that depending on which state you are in.
That average price is 30 cents higher than it was last year, which amounts to a 3.26% year-over-year increase.
States where a margarita is most expensive
Top 10 most-expensive states for a margarita
| Rank | State | Average cost | Percent above national average |
| 1 | Hawaii | $12.81 | 34% |
| 2 | Arizona | $12.20 | 28% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $12.15 | 28% |
| 4 | California | $11.90 | 25% |
| 5 | New Mexico | $11.87 | 25% |
| 6 | Nevada | $11.70 | 23% |
| 7 | New York | $11.60 | 22% |
| 8 | Washington | $11.50 | 21% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $11.34 | 19% |
| 10 | New Jersey | $11.20 | 18% |
Residents of Hawaii will have to budget for Cinco de Mayo. The average price for a margarita on the islands is the highest in the country at $12.81. That is 34% higher than the national average, and more than 60 cents higher than the second-place state, Arizona.
Six of the 10 states where margaritas are most expensive are in the Western U.S. Hawaii, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington state all feature margarita costs that are at least 20% above the national average.
Massachusetts is the top non-Western state where margaritas are most expensive (and third-most expensive overall), with an average price tag of $12.15. Nearby New York and New Jersey, as well as the District of Columbia, make up the rest of the top 10 places where margaritas are most expensive. Each of those states (plus D.C.) is located on the East Coast, meaning that not a single state in the Midwest or South land on our list of places where margs are the most expensive.
States where a margarita is least expensive
Top 10 least-expensive states for a margarita
| Rank | State | Average cost | Percent below national average |
| 1 | Alabama | $6.23 | -34% |
| 2 | Iowa | $6.91 | -26% |
| 3 | Arkansas | $6.94 | -26% |
| 4 | West Virginia | $7.04 | -25% |
| 5 | Kentucky | $7.55 | -20% |
| 6 | North Dakota | $7.71 | -18% |
| 7 | Missouri | $7.84 | -17% |
| 8 | South Carolina | $7.95 | -15% |
| 9 | Kansas | $7.98 | -15% |
| 10 | Indiana | $8.08 | -14% |
Alabamans enjoy the lowest margarita prices in the country in 2024. Alabama has had that same distinction three years in a row now. The state’s average margarita costs $6.23, which is 34% lower than the nationwide average. It’s also nearly 70 cents less expensive than the average margarita cost in Iowa, the state with the second-lowest average marg cost.
Arkansas is the only other state where thirsty customers can get a margarita for less than $7.
All 10 states where a margarita is least expensive are evenly split between two regions. Five of these states are in the South (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and South Carolina) while the remaining five are located in the Midwest (Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska).
Bottom line
Even if you live in an area where margaritas cost more than the national average, it’s always possible to save money while enjoying your cocktail of choice. Here are some of our top tips for saving while you sip on your favorite drink the next time you go out on the town:
- Eat and drink your way to rewards. Some credit cards offer specific rewards if you use them to pay your bill at the end of dinner or drinks. Use one of the best credit cards for dining out every time you’re at a restaurant or pub to get the most out of your experience.
- Choose a credit card that rewards your experiences. If you’re someone who enjoys performances and dining out, choose a card that offers cash back. A cash back credit card with no annual fee could help you earn cash back on the experiences you love, such as dinner and drinks.
- Earn travel rewards for an authentic Mexican experience. For those who love margaritas and Mexican food, a trip to the home country is a must. Consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to earn rewards for your next trip across the border.
Methodology
FinanceBuzz collected the price for a "house" lime margarita or equivalent from current online menus from 10 different restaurants or bars in each state, and then averaged those prices to find the average cost for a margarita in every state. Pricing for each restaurant/bar’s smallest size margarita was used throughout. Price data was collected in April 2024.
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