How Much Does North Dakota Spend on Fast Food? The New Rankings Are In
Life moves fast these days, and for many families, grabbing a quick meal on the go has become part of the weekly routine. Whether it's between work, school activities, sports practices, or road trips, fast food remains one of the easiest ways to get a meal without spending time cooking.
While many fast-food restaurants now offer healthier menu options than they did years ago, it's still fast food. Convenience continues to be the biggest selling point, and it appears plenty of people across our region are willing to pay for it.
A recent study from WalletHub looked at the cost of fast food as a share of the median monthly household income in each state. The rankings reveal that residents in parts of the Northern Plains spend a noticeable portion of their income on fast-food meals.
Montana Leads the Region in Fast Food Spending
Among neighboring states, Montana ranked 7th in the nation, with fast-food costs accounting for 0.43% of the median monthly household income. That was the highest ranking in our region, suggesting Montanans are spending a larger share of their income on quick-service restaurants than most Americans.
North Dakota Lands Near the Middle in Fast Food Spending Rankings
North Dakota ranked 25th, with fast food making up 0.37% of the median monthly household income. While that's well below Montana, it still places the Peace Garden State near the middle of the national rankings.
Read More: North Dakota Ranked 4th Most Affordable State For Retirement
South Dakota and Minnesota Spend Less
Just behind North Dakota was South Dakota, which ranked 30th at approximately 0.36%. Meanwhile, Minnesota came in at 44th, with residents spending about 0.31% of their median monthly household income on fast food, making it the lowest among the four neighboring states.
The differences may not seem dramatic at first glance, but they can add up over time. For families eating fast food several times a week, those meals can become a significant monthly expense.
Of course, there are many reasons people choose fast food. Busy schedules, long commutes, affordability, and convenience all play a role. In rural states like North Dakota and Montana, where people often travel longer distances between communities, grabbing a quick meal on the road is often the most practical option.
As grocery prices continue to fluctuate, some consumers have even found that certain fast-food value meals can compete with the cost of preparing meals at home, especially for individuals or smaller families.
Whether you're picking up breakfast on your way to work, lunch between meetings, or dinner after a long day, fast food isn't going away anytime soon. The WalletHub rankings simply offer another reminder of how much convenience has become a part of everyday life—and how those quick stops at the drive-thru can add up over the course of a year.
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