Which states are the most expensive to own a dog?

The dream of owning a dog doesn’t always match the reality of acquiring a new puppy.

In addition to the preparation of adding a dog to your life, there are also the costs of getting your new best friend, all of the accessories and supplies that you will need, and pet insurance to ensure your pup has the best chance at a healthy and long life.

The actual cost of bringing a dog home can vary depending on whether you choose a dog from a shelter, a rescue group or a breeder. Adoption or breeder fees can range from $110 to more than $13,000 for a purebred or designer dog. Where you live and the gender of the dog you choose can also affect how much you pay for your new companion.

To determine the true cost of pet ownership by state, Forbes Advisor surveyed 10,000 dog owners, with 200 participants from each state, to determine how much it costs to welcome a dog into their family.

Nine of the 10 most expensive states to get a dog are located on the East Coast: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Vermont.

Acquiring a dog in one of the top 10 most expensive states costs an average of $555, compared to the national average of $319.

According to the research, conducted by OnePoll, nearly one in four (23.8%) dog owners did not pay anything for their dog, as they were gifted their pet or kept a stray.

Seven of the 10 least expensive states to get a dog are located in the South: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Most dog owners got their furry friend from a breeder, while the second most common method was adopting from a shelter.

How Are Americans Acquiring Their Dogs?

Pet ownership is at an all-time high, with 66% of U.S. households now home to a pet. What may be surprising is how Americans are getting their new family members. 

The majority of dog owners say they chose to buy their dog from a breeder, followed closely by those turning to shelters to adopt their new furry friend.

More American dog owners (36%) said they purchased their dog from a breeder, while the second most common way to get a dog was by adopting one from a shelter (23%).

Almost one out of five (19%) dog owners say they received their dog as a gift and about 10% of dog owners said they became a pet parent by rescuing a stray dog.

How Old Are Dogs When Americans Bring Them Home?

While an overwhelming majority of U.S. dog owners are opting for a playful puppy to bring home over an older dog, in places like California, Florida and Washington, it’s more popular for pet parents to adopt dogs between 3 to 5 years old.

Seven out of 10 dog owners (70%) said they welcomed a puppy (between 0 to 2 years old) into their homes when they decided to become pet parents.

The next popular age group for getting a new dog is between 3 to 5 years old (21%).

Puppies were the top choice for dog owners in 47 states, but interestingly, pet parents in California, Florida and Washington, seem to prefer adopting dogs between 3 to 5 years old more often than any other age group.

What Recurring Dog-Related Costs Are Most Expensive For Pet Parents?

Dog owners report routine feeding costs to be the most costly ongoing expense for dog owners across the country, closely followed by veterinary care, with toys and treats being the third highest recurring expense.

In 37 states, dog food was the costliest recurring expense for dog owners.

Veterinary care came in second as the most expensive recurring dog-related expense for dog owners.

While toys and treats were the third highest recurring expense for dog owners overall, they ranked as the No. 1 expense for dog owners in Iowa.

Nine percent of dog owners said grooming was their most expensive ongoing expense related to their dogs.

The Most Expensive States To Buy A Dog

• 1. Delaware, $686.68
• 2. Florida, $599.25
• 3. New Hampshire, $576.41
• 4. Pennsylvania, $571.07
• 5. South Carolina, $548.23.
• 6. New York, $539.03
• 7. Maryland, $534.95
• 8. North Dakota, $507.75
• 9. Connecticut, $501.55
• 10. Vermont, 488.97

The Least Expensive States To Buy A Dog

• 1. Oklahoma, $172.47
• 2. Kentucky, $196.17
• 3. Mississippi, $212.94
• 4. Tennessee, $233.67
• 5. Kansas, $246.19

Editorial Note: This story was originally published on Forbes Advisor.