OpenAI Captured Majority of AI Spending in 47 States

Data collected between June and August 2026 shows OpenAI leading AI consumer spending across most U.S. states.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Isometric editorial illustration of various stacked rectilinear blocks in muted saturated colors, representing market analysis of consumer spending across the United States. — Consumer credit and debit card data from summer 2026 indicates that OpenAI products captured the majority of AI spending in 47 U.S. states. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between June and August 2026, consumer credit and debit card data revealed that OpenAI products secured a majority of spending in 47 states. During this same timeframe, Anthropic held a spending lead in Massachusetts, Montana, California, and Washington, DC.

Why it matters

Understanding consumer spending habits for AI products provides insight into market penetration and the comparative popularity of leading AI developers. The dominance of OpenAI in most regions underscores the current competitive landscape of the consumer artificial intelligence market.

OpenAI holds at least 70% of consumer spending in eight states, reaching a high of 82% in Delaware. Other states with significant OpenAI leads include Mississippi at 77% and West Virginia at 72%.

The players

OpenAI

This American artificial intelligence research organization is the developer of the ChatGPT product line.

Anthropic

This AI safety and research company develops large language models and is a primary competitor to OpenAI in the consumer space.

YipitData

This market research firm specializes in analyzing alternative data, including credit and debit card spending, to provide insights into corporate performance.

The details

Analysis from YipitData tracked credit and debit card transactions to determine the market reach of AI product providers. While OpenAI maintained a strong majority share across the U.S., Anthropic outperformed in select areas including California, Massachusetts, Montana, and Washington, DC.

Between June and August 2026, YipitData collected consumer credit and debit card spending data.

The Tech Race

The current market landscape reflects a rapid shift toward consumer adoption of proprietary large language models. This data demonstrates how incumbent developers maintain significant leads as AI products move from early experimentation to widespread daily usage.

The dominance of a few AI providers may influence the available tools, pricing structures, and subscription models for individual users. Consumers in different states may notice variations in product availability or promotional incentives depending on the dominant local platform.

The takeaway

The data highlights a significant geographic divide in AI product usage, suggesting that regional market dynamics play a role in developer adoption. Users should remain aware that their local market leader may not represent the national standard for software features or service accessibility.