South Dakota Ranks Fifth Lowest for Travel Food Costs

Rankings based on Numbeo data put South Dakota among the most affordable U.S. states for travelers to eat.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Dining Out

South Dakota Ranks Fifth Lowest for Travel Food Costs

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South Dakota ranks fifth lowest among U.S. states for daily food cost for travelers, according to research released by JRPass and published by Travel + Leisure. The state's one-day average food cost is $70.88, and its three-day average is $212.64.

Why it matters

A day of food and drink can vary by more than $80 depending on destination, making state-level cost differences meaningful for travel budgets. For South Dakota visitors, the ranking suggests lower dining expenses relative to much of the country.

The research averaged an inexpensive restaurant meal, a mid-range meal for two, a domestic beer, and a cappuccino across all 50 states to produce the rankings. South Dakota's one-day average of $70.88 sits well below the highest-cost states, though the extraction does not detail the full national range.

The players

JRPass

JRPass is a travel pass company that sells rail passes for Japan and has published cost-of-travel research in recent years.

Numbeo

Numbeo is an online database of crowd-sourced cost-of-living data covering cities and countries worldwide.

Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure is a travel magazine published by Dotdash Meredith that covers destinations, hotels, and travel trends.

The details

JRPass released research on the least and most expensive U.S. states for travelers to eat, using Numbeo data to calculate a total average daily food cost for each state. The calculation averaged an inexpensive restaurant meal, a mid-range meal for two, a domestic beer, and a cappuccino.

Research and rankings published in November 2026 by Travel + Leisure and b1027.com.

Culture Shift

The ranking extends Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost-of-living data, which is used to compare cities and countries worldwide, to a state-by-state view of what travelers spend on food. It reflects a broader interest in budget-conscious domestic travel where dining costs shape destination choices.

Travelers budgeting for a South Dakota trip can plan on daily food costs around $70 for one day, according to the averaged figures. Comparing this with cheaper states like Texas, at $54.91 per day, helps set expectations when choosing a route.

The takeaway

Daily food costs vary by more than $80 across destinations, so checking state-level averages before booking can help travelers set a realistic dining budget. South Dakota's fifth-lowest ranking makes it a comparatively affordable stop for those planning food spending.