The cost of gifts in every U.S. state in 2017
Shoppers in the District of Columbia pay a whopping 289% more for gifts than the national average.
Shopping in the United States is hitting fever pitch as the holiday season gathers steam. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday and other online and in-store sales have tallied billions in gift giving expenses.
But some of us are spending significantly more than others when it comes to buying presents.
Millennial Personal Finance released the Gift Cost Index. The index gauges the typical cost of a gift in a given area. The cost of gifts are displayed relative to the national average (100). If a state’s index is at 50, that means the typical cost of a gift is 50% less than the average. A score of 200 means gifts cost twice as much.
Data gathering company Onboard Informatics calculated the index, drawing upon data sources provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The gift index covers apparel, accessories, recreation, household furnishings, and more.
For example, buyers in the District of Columbia pay a whopping 289% more for gifts than the national average. Meanwhile, shoppers in West Virginia and Arkansas each pay 15% percent less than the national average.
While DC is an outlier, there are other states where the cost of giving gifts far exceeds the national average. Alaskans (95%), Hawaiians (47%), New Yorkers (45%) and residents of Michigan (43%) spend more than most.
Discover where your home state sits against others on the national rankings by searching the table below.
| Rank | State | Gift cost index | Difference from national average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 389 | 289% |
| 2 | Alaska | 195 | 95% |
| 3 | Hawaii | 147 | 47% |
| 4 | New York | 144 | 44% |
| 5 | Michigan | 143 | 43% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 134 | 34% |
| 7 | California | 125 | 25% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 123 | 23% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 123 | 23% |
| 10 | Maryland | 121 | 21% |
| 11 | Vermont | 114 | 14% |
| 12 | Utah | 112 | 12% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 110 | 10% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 108 | 8% |
| 15 | Illinois | 105 | 5% |
| 16 | Virginia | 104 | 4% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 104 | 4% |
| 18 | Texas | 103 | 3% |
| 19 | Minnesota | 103 | 3% |
| 20 | Alabama | 103 | 3% |
| 21 | Delaware | 102 | 2% |
| 22 | Indiana | 102 | 2% |
| 23 | Mississippi | 102 | 2% |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 102 | 2% |
| 25 | Washington | 100 | 0% |
| 26 | Oregon | 98 | -2% |
| 27 | Idaho | 98 | -2% |
| 28 | Florida | 97 | -3% |
| 29 | Nevada | 97 | -3% |
| 30 | Georgia | 96 | -4% |
| 31 | North Carolina | 95 | -5% |
| 32 | Maine | 95 | -5% |
| 33 | Arizona | 95 | -5% |
| 34 | Iowa | 95 | -5% |
| 35 | New Mexico | 95 | -5% |
| 36 | Kansas | 94 | -6% |
| 37 | Nebraska | 93 | -7% |
| 38 | South Dakota | 93 | -7% |
| 39 | Louisiana | 93 | -7% |
| 40 | Colorado | 93 | -7% |
| 41 | Ohio | 92 | -8% |
| 42 | Wyoming | 92 | -8% |
| 43 | Oklahoma | 91 | -9% |
| 44 | Missouri | 91 | -9% |
| 45 | Montana | 90 | -10% |
| 46 | Wisconsin | 90 | -10% |
| 47 | North Dakota | 89 | -11% |
| 48 | Tennessee | 88 | -12% |
| 49 | Kentucky | 87 | -13% |
| 50 | Arkansas | 85 | -15% |
| 51 | West Virginia | 85 | -15% |
The latest survey data reveals American households are anticipating solid future income growth, as well as planning a substantial increase in spending, while remaining less concerned about debt repayments.
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