Hawaii Has Nation's Priciest Thanksgiving Dinner

A Consumer Affairs study finds a Thanksgiving meal for 10 costs about $84.52 in Hawaii, well above the national average.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Organic Food

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a roasted turkey on a bare wooden table beside a palm leaf and island fruit, in warm ochre and sage. — Consumer Affairs found a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 costs about $84.52 in Hawaii, more than $16 above the national average of $68.22. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Consumer Affairs released a study finding Hawaii has the highest Thanksgiving dinner cost in the nation, at approximately $84.52 for a traditional meal for 10 people. That is more than $16 above the national average of $68.22.

Why it matters

Hawaii households spend just over 11% of their income on groceries, the fifth-highest share in the country, so food takes up a larger slice of the budget here than in most states. For Hawaii residents, the holiday meal adds to a grocery burden that is already heavy.

The Consumer Affairs study compares Hawaii's $84.52 Thanksgiving meal for 10 against a national average of $68.22, a gap of about 24%. It is based on 2025 USDA food-at-home sales data and does not say how much of the gap reflects island shipping costs.

The players

Consumer Affairs

A consumer research organization that publishes cost-of-living studies comparing prices and spending across U.S. states.

Ruby Tuesday

A casual dining restaurant chain whose published holiday meal pricing was cited as a national reference point in the study.

The details

Consumer Affairs multiplied per capita food-at-home sales by each state's average household size to estimate annual household grocery spending, then analyzed all 50 states to find where residents spend the largest share of income on food. Hawaii households earn more than the national median income, yet their grocery share remains high, and some Hawaii restaurants offering dine-in Thanksgiving dinners could charge more this year.

2025: Year of the USDA food-at-home sales data used in the study.
Friday: Consumer Affairs released the Thanksgiving cost study.
Last year: Ruby Tuesday's full Thanksgiving meal cost $30.95.
This year: Ruby Tuesday's full Thanksgiving meal price rises to $31.95.

Culture Shift

The rising cost of the traditional holiday table reflects a broader shift in how Americans budget for food, as shown in the USDA's annual food-at-home spending series. In Hawaii, that pressure is amplified because grocery costs take a larger share of household income than in most states.

Hawaii shoppers planning a Thanksgiving meal should budget for the higher local price point, which the study puts at about $84.52 for 10 people. Households that host large gatherings may want to compare the cost of cooking at home against dine-in restaurant options, since some Hawaii restaurants could be pricier this year.

The takeaway

The gap between Hawaii's Thanksgiving dinner cost and the national average shows how far a holiday budget can stretch for island households. Planning meals and comparing prices early can help keep the traditional spread affordable.