Pizza is the ultimate go-to when you’re hungry, not in the mood to cook, and trying to keep things affordable. It’s quick, shareable, and almost universally loved — there’s a pie for every taste, no matter how picky your crowd might be.
But depending on where you live, a couple of pizzas could eat up more of your paycheck than you’d expect. Research from real estate site Clever reveals which U.S. cities have the priciest pizza when measured against average local incomes. The results might surprise you — and make you think twice before placing that delivery order.
🍕 1. Las Vegas, NV
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Cheese Pizza: $24.48
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Pepperoni Pizza: $26.91
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.56%
Known for indulgence and big spending, Las Vegas doesn’t hold back — even when it comes to pizza. With the highest slice-to-salary ratio in the country, locals here are paying top dollar for their pies.
🍗 2. Buffalo, NY
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Cheese Pizza: $22.31
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Pepperoni Pizza: $25.39
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.53%
Buffalo may be famous for wings, but pizza is surprisingly pricey too. Locals spend the second-highest percentage of their income on a couple of large pies. At these prices, wings might be the better deal.
🎢 3. Orlando, FL
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Cheese Pizza: $23.30
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Pepperoni Pizza: $26.36
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.34%
Theme parks aren't the only costly attraction in Orlando. Pizza here ranks third in terms of affordability relative to income, proving that even comfort food isn’t immune to vacation-town pricing.
🌴 4. Bakersfield, CA
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Cheese Pizza: $21.20
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Pepperoni Pizza: $22.67
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.31%
Bakersfield might fly under the radar compared to LA or San Francisco, but pizza prices here are surprisingly steep, taking a big slice out of the average income.
🐔 5. Louisville, KY
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Cheese Pizza: $20.08
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Pepperoni Pizza: $23.58
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.29%
Fried chicken may be king in Louisville, but pizza still commands a hefty price. Locals spend over 3% of their income on just two large pies.
🌾 6. Wichita, KS
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Cheese Pizza: $19.38
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Pepperoni Pizza: $22.17
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.20%
You might not expect pizza to be pricey in Wichita, but it ranks high in terms of cost-to-income ratio. Budget accordingly before your next pizza night.
🎺 7. New Orleans, LA
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Cheese Pizza: $17.00
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Pepperoni Pizza: $19.60
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.12%
The Big Easy is known for incredible cuisine, but pizza? Not exactly cheap. Two large pies here will take up over 3% of the average salary.
🌮 8. McAllen, TX
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Cheese Pizza: $14.97
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Pepperoni Pizza: $17.00
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.10%
Bordering Mexico, McAllen is a haven for Tex-Mex. If you’re craving pizza instead, prepare to pay more than you'd think compared to local earnings.
🌪️ 9. Tulsa, OK
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Cheese Pizza: $18.11
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Pepperoni Pizza: $20.82
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.09%
Pizza may be a safe option in Tulsa, but it comes at a cost. Residents spend over 3% of their income on just two pizzas — a surprising stat for a midwestern city.
🗂️ 10. Scranton, PA
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Cheese Pizza: $15.88
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Pepperoni Pizza: $18.66
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.05%
Known from The Office, Scranton also makes the list for high pizza costs relative to income. Even here, pizza is more of a luxury than it might seem.
🍎 11. New York, NY
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Cheese Pizza: $26.00
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Pepperoni Pizza: $29.75
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 3.04%
You’d expect NYC to top the list — and while pizza here is expensive, the city’s higher average income keeps it just outside the top 10 for percent spent.
🏙️ 12. Columbus, OH
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Cheese Pizza: $20.92
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Pepperoni Pizza: $22.65
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% of Income Spent on Pizza: 2.93%
Even in the Midwest, pizza isn’t always a cheap comfort food. Columbus residents spend nearly 3% of their income on two large pizzas, making this heartland city a surprisingly costly spot for a slice.
Final Thoughts
While pizza might seem like the budget-friendly answer to dinner, these numbers show it can still take a bite out of your paycheck — especially in certain cities. So whether you're grabbing a quick slice or ordering for the whole family, it pays to know what you're really spending.
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