The 5 most expensive states in America to have a dog — and the 5 cheapest

One in three pet owners reports spending more on their pet’s needs than their own healthcare, according to a new study from U.S. News and World Report. It’s no wonder why when the price of pet care keeps increasing. And in some states, those costs are much higher.

MetLife $MET Pet Insurance set out to find the states where it’s most and least expensive to own a dog. It looked at a series of factors across all 50 states, including the cost of vet care, the price of grooming and dog walking, and how much dog food costs, among others.

Continue reading to see the five most expensive states to own a dog — and the five least expensive. 

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Massachusetts rounds out the top five most expensive states for dog ownership, with particularly high costs in dog-walking services at $2,208 per year. The state's annual veterinary care and grooming costs are also above average at $324 and $335 respectively, while pet insurance runs $207 annually. 

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Hawaii's isolation contributes to its high dog ownership costs, with veterinary care at $327 annually being notably expensive. The state requires significant investment in dog-walking services at $2,227 per year, while pet insurance runs $209. Grooming runs $329 annually and food costs $509.

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Vermont claims the third spot with substantial dog-walking expenses of $2,323 per year. The state has moderate grooming costs at $335 and relatively affordable veterinary care at $291 annually. Dog food costs $518 per year and pet insurance is $186.

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Washington state ranks as the second most expensive place to own a dog, driven largely by dog-walking costs of $2,458 annually. Veterinary care runs $327 per year, while grooming costs $345. Pet insurance is $209 annually and food costs $533.

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California tops the list as the most expensive state for dog ownership, with the highest dog-walking costs in the nation at $2,950 per year. The Golden State also has elevated expenses across the board, including $339 for veterinary care, $343 for grooming, and $217 for pet insurance. Dog food costs $531 annually.

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Oklahoma ranks as the fifth least expensive state despite having the highest dog food costs among this group at $531 per year. The state offers significant savings in dog-walking services at just $1,584 annually and affordable pet insurance at $169. Grooming costs $344, and veterinary care is $264.

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Nebraska offers affordable dog ownership with particularly low dog-walking costs of $1,574 per year. The state has reasonable veterinary care expenses at $270 annually and pet insurance at $173. Dog food costs $521 and grooming runs $337.

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Iowa ranks as the third least expensive state, offering affordable dog-walking services at $1,565 annually and veterinary care at $267. Pet insurance costs $171, grooming is $337, and dog food runs $521 per year.

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Mississippi claims the second-lowest cost of dog ownership, with the lowest veterinary care costs among the five cheapest states at just $261 annually. Dog-walking services cost $1,440 per year, pet insurance is particularly affordable at $167, while food costs $521, and grooming is $337.

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Montana is the least expensive state for dog ownership in the nation, offering the lowest costs in multiple categories. The state has the cheapest dog food at $487 annually, the most affordable dog-walking services at $1,440, and the lowest pet insurance at $173. Veterinary care costs $270, and grooming is $315.