Everyone eats out sometimes, but some people head to restaurants a lot. And, in some cities, they drop some serious money when they go. While this survey from Escoffer School of Culinary Arts doesn’t tell you if people are eating at 5-star restaurants or McDonald’s, here are the cities that spend the highest percentage of their food expenses on dining out.
10. St. Louis
Citizens of this Missouri city spend an average of $9,519 each year on dining out but just 13.37% of their total annual expenditures on restaurants. However, when it comes to looking strictly at food, it’s a higher percentage — 27.49%, or more than a quarter of most people’s food budget, earning the city the 10th spot.
9. San Diego
People who live in this beach front city don’t seem to mind heading to a restaurant for a meal, dropping $10,449 on dining out. While that’s only 12.11% of total money spent, it’s 27.59% of money spent on food.
8. Philadelphia
In the eighth spot, Philly residents spend $10,492 a year on dining out, which is 12.21% of total expenses but 28.53% of their food budget.
7. Baltimore
If you live in Baltimore, you may spend $10,661 on dining out each year. That’s 12.99% of total expenditures but 28.86% of food spending, putting the city into seventh place.
6. Washington D.C.
In the nation’s capital, people spend more ($11,326), the highest amount in the top ten. It’s just 12.03% of total expenditures, but it’s 28.86% of food spending — equal to Baltimore.
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5. Phoenix
In this Arizona city, residents spend $8,330 a year on dining out. That’s just 11.61% of total spending, but 28.95% of the average food budget.
4. Los Angeles
In the City of Angels, foodie culture motivates people to spend $10,174 on dining out each year. That’s 13.21% of total spending and 30.29% of food budget.
3. Dallas-Ft. Worth
While Texans in this area spend less than Los Angelenos (and people in D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis), that amount is 12.17% of overall expenditures and 31.07% of the average food budget.
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2. Denver
While Denver residents spend just $9,876 on dining out each year, that amount is 11.72% of total expenditures and 31.50% of total food expenditures.
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1. Houston
This Texas city takes the top spot. While $8,818 isn’t the highest amount spent on food (that honor goes to San Franciscans, which spend $13,137 but the city landed at 19 on the list). While that’s just 9.28% of total spending, it’s 31.72% of food spending.
