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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 $10.61, which is a 5.77% increase from last year.
- The state where a margarita costs the most is California, at $13.80 on average.
- There are 12 different states where margaritas cost an average of $12 or more.
- A margarita is most affordable in West Virginia, with an average cost of $7.33.
- Alabama ($7.45) and Arkansas ($7.84) are the only other states where margaritas cost less than $8 on average.
Margarita prices over time
No matter the occasion, a cold marg can be a tasty complement to a meal, but just how much have costs for the drink risen in recent years?
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As with most goods, the average price for a margarita has risen every year since 2022, though the annual cost increases have been relatively reasonable. There is not a single year where prices rose by even a dollar, as the biggest year-over-year jump was from 2022 to 2023, when costs rose by $0.68. All told, the average margarita price has risen by 25.1% since 2022.
The average cost of a margarita in every state
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Across the country, celebrants can expect to shell out $10.61 on average for a margarita on Cinco de Mayo, though that cost can be $3 higher or lower than that, depending on which state you are in.
That average price is nearly 60 cents higher than it was last year, which amounts to a 5.77% 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 | California | $13.80 | 30% |
| 2 | Hawaii | $13.50 | 27% |
| t-3 | Massachusetts | $13.00 | 23% |
| t-3 | New York | $13.00 | 23% |
| t-5 | Montana | $12.80 | 21% |
| t-5 | Oregon | $12.80 | 21% |
| 7 | Washington | $12.60 | 19% |
| 8 | New Mexico | $12.53 | 18% |
| 9 | Minnesota | $12.50 | 18% |
| 10 | Nevada | $12.30 | 16% |
Residents of California will have to budget for Cinco de Mayo. The average price for a margarita in the Golden State is the highest in the country at $13.80. That is 30% higher than the national average, and 30 cents higher than the second-place state of Hawaii. Massachusetts and New York are the only other states where margaritas cost at least $13 on average.
Seven of the 10 states where margaritas are most expensive are in the Western U.S. California, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Nevada all have margarita costs at least 16% above the national average.
Massachusetts and New York are tied as the top non-Western states when it comes to margarita costs, with an average price tag of $13.00 each. Minnesota is the only other non-Western state to land in the top 10 (and the only Midwest state to rank that high as well), with an average margarita costing $12.50. Not a single Southern state ranks in the top 10.
States where a margarita is least expensive
| Top 10 Least Expensive States for a Margarita | |||
| Rank | State | Average cost | Percent below national average |
| 1 | West Virginia | $7.33 | -31% |
| 2 | Alabama | $7.45 | -30% |
| 3 | Arkansas | $7.84 | -26% |
| 4 | Iowa | $8.00 | -25% |
| 5 | Missouri | $8.18 | -23% |
| 6 | Kansas | $8.20 | -23% |
| 7 | Kentucky | $8.69 | -18% |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $8.80 | -17% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $8.90 | -16% |
| 10 | Louisiana | $8.95 | -16% |
West Virginians enjoy the lowest margarita prices in the country in 2026, breaking Alabama's four-year streak stretching back to 2022. West Virginia's average margarita costs $7.33, which is 31% lower than the nationwide average. Alabama finished a close second, with an average margarita costing $7.45, just 12 cents more than in West Virginia.
There are no other states in the country where the average price for a margarita is less than $7.50, and Arkansas ($7.84) is the only place outside of West Virginia and Alabama with average costs under $8 (though margaritas in Iowa come with an average price tag of exactly that much).
The 10 states where a margarita is least expensive are split between two regions. Six of these states are in the South and Appalachia (West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Louisiana) while four more are located in the Midwest (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Wisconsin).
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:
- Earn rewards on every meal and night out. Many credit cards offer cash back or points on dining, so using the right one every time you go out adds up fast. A best credit card for dining out or a cash back card with no annual fee can turn your bar tab into rewards with no extra effort.
- Earn travel rewards for an authentic Mexican experience. For those who love margaritas and Mexican food, a trip to Mexico 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 5 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 March 2026.
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