10 Most Expensive States To Buy a Thanksgiving Turkey in 2025

For most families, saving money on groceries is more important than ever as the prices of everyday essentials continue to rise. And with the holidays just around the corner and many planning to shop for big meals, budget readiness will go a long way this season.

Case in point? The average nationwide price of a 15-pound turkey, the symbolic star of our Thanksgiving meals, is up 11.2% from 2024.

And while that's still less than $35.40 and $35.15, which were the average nationwide prices in 2023 and 2022, respectively, in which states specifically are turkeys the most expensive in 2025? We crunched the numbers to find out.

Price: $38.35

Per the data calculated by our FinanceBuzz experts, the average cost of a Thanksgiving turkey this year is $34.65, up from $31.16 in 2024. In Missouri, you'll pay $38.35 for the bird in 2025, which is $3.70 more than what folks will shell out over the average cost.

Missouri wasn't on the top 10 most expensive list in 2024, showing a notable increase in price for residents.

Price: $38.35

In the number nine spot is the Garden State, where a 15-pound turkey costs $38.35 this year. In 2024, New Jersey occupied the number six spot, though the price tag was still less at $36.85.

So, even though New Jersey dropped in the rankings this year, residents will pay $1.50 more in 2025.

Price: $38.85

South Carolina didn't crack the top 10 list in 2024, but in 2025, shoppers can expect to pay $38.85 for their Thanksgiving turkey. That's 12.1% higher than the average cost of a 15-pound bird.

Their neighbor, North Carolina, didn't make the list this year, though last year a turkey cost $34.85 in that state.

Price: $39.85

The first of three states to tie for spots seven, six, and five, Vermont is another new entry on the 2025 list of most expensive turkeys. The price of birds at grocery stores will be $39.85 this year, which is $5.20 more than the national average price of turkeys, $34.65.

Price $39.85

Vermont's next-door neighbor to the east will be paying the same amount for their Thanksgiving centerpiece in 2025, a price tag of $39.85. That's 15% higher than the national average.

Also like its neighbor, New Hampshire wasn't on our list last year, following a trend of several states having higher costs in 2025.

Price: $39.85

Massachusetts joined its neighbors to the north, Vermont and New Hampshire, as both new to the list and selling turkeys for $39.85 this year. That shakes out to $2.66 per pound for a 15-pound bird, and rounds out our seventh, sixth, and fifth entries on our 2025 list.

Price: $40.85

Cracking the $40 mark, residents of Big Sky Country will shell out over $40 for turkeys in 2025. Montana is number five on our 2025 list, and it occupied the same spot in 2024. However, the cost of a turkey in Montana last year was $36.85, exactly $4 less than this year.

Price: $41.35

Iowa is a surprising entry on this list, notably because the cost of living in the Buckeye State is among the lowest in the country, per the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Cost of Living Index.

However, a 15-pound turkey will cost $41.35 in 2025, which is 19.3% higher than the national average cost of $34.65.

Price: $42.35

At a full dollar over the price of Iowa, Alaska is number two on our list. The state held the same place in last year's rankings, though the cost of turkeys in 2024 was $44.85.

Residents of Alaska will be paying $2.50 less this year for their Thanksgiving turkey, a bit of good news for shoppers.

Price: $55.70

In our number one spot by a full $13.35 over Alaska is Hawaii, where a 15-pound Thanksgiving turkey will cost $55.70 in 2025. That's higher than the $52.85 shoppers paid in The Aloha State last year.

That's also more than 60% higher than the national average across the nation. While that's a large number, it's not altogether surprising given Hawaii's high cost of living.

We all strive to save money shopping, especially in an era when grocery costs seem higher than ever. That may be a bit tricky this holiday season when shopping for Thanksgiving essentials, such as the turkey, so it's prudent to budget accordingly.

That could include deploying some tried-and-true money-saving tactics at the grocery store this year, such as scouting for coupons, opting for generic instead of brand-name products, and even purchasing a smaller turkey. Ultimately, that means there's more room for pie and potatoes.