2021's Best Foodie Cities in America

Adam McCann, Financial WriterOct 4, 2021

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
Oct 4, 2021

Americans today apply the term “foodie” to anyone who loves gourmet dining. But foodie culture isn’t limited to restaurants. More importantly, far fewer than the many who claim to be foodies truly deserve the label. “Authentic” foodies, according to experts, not only crave new and different flavors but also savor the exploratory experience of eating, learning and discovering food.

Naturally, the foodie lifestyle can be quite expensive, considering that restaurant prices rose 5.4% just between July 2020 and July 2021. Even cooking your own gourmet meals can be pricy, as grocery store prices rose 3.5% between 2019 and 2020. Overall food spending decreased by $100 billion in 2020, though, in part due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, culinary hotspots across the U.S. offer plenty of affordable options for cash-strapped foodies. These wallet-friendly cities cater to diners who prefer to cook at home, explore the local flavors or both. To determine the best and cheapest foodie scenes, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 29 key indicators of foodie-friendliness. Our data set ranges from cost of groceries to affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants to food festivals per capita.

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Best Food Cities in America

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Affordability	Diversity, Accessibility & Quality
1	Portland, OR	70.77	56	3
2	Orlando, FL	70.67	26	5
3	Miami, FL	68.85	153	2
4	San Francisco, CA	67.89	173	1
5	Austin, TX	64.91	14	11
6	Sacramento, CA	63.59	85	8
7	Denver, CO	62.98	45	14
8	Las Vegas, NV	62.93	100	9
9	Seattle, WA	62.91	178	4
10	Tampa, FL	62.17	73	12
11	Los Angeles, CA	60.17	149	10
12	San Diego, CA	60.01	134	13
13	Portland, ME	58.81	57	20
14	Oakland, CA	58.46	172	7
15	Washington, DC	57.96	155	15
16	St. Louis, MO	57.88	127	18
17	Grand Rapids, MI	57.69	1	39
18	Chicago, IL	57.68	143	16
19	Atlanta, GA	57.68	140	17
20	Houston, TX	57.32	15	32
21	Cincinnati, OH	57.04	23	31
22	Pittsburgh, PA	56.97	91	22
23	New York, NY	56.87	181	6
24	Charleston, SC	56.64	96	23
25	Rochester, NY	56.63	62	25
26	Buffalo, NY	56.22	43	30
27	Salt Lake City, UT	55.97	87	24
28	Milwaukee, WI	55.58	22	38
29	Louisville, KY	55.56	18	37
30	Albuquerque, NM	55.18	8	43
31	Minneapolis, MN	54.84	66	33
32	Richmond, VA	54.67	46	36
33	Indianapolis, IN	53.83	4	50
34	Vancouver, WA	53.73	139	26
35	San Jose, CA	53.60	165	21
36	Philadelphia, PA	53.56	120	28
37	Fort Lauderdale, FL	53.33	126	29
38	San Antonio, TX	52.76	20	49
39	Santa Ana, CA	52.45	88	41
40	New Orleans, LA	52.38	157	27
41	Omaha, NE	52.05	16	57
42	Raleigh, NC	51.85	49	48
43	Fresno, CA	51.82	27	55
44	Honolulu, HI	51.80	179	19
45	Tucson, AZ	51.58	40	51
46	Tempe, AZ	51.55	10	80
47	Wilmington, DE	51.50	98	45
48	Madison, WI	51.48	54	52
49	Scottsdale, AZ	51.31	82	46
50	Boston, MA	51.05	145	35
51	Des Moines, IA	50.89	7	86
52	Providence, RI	50.85	122	42
53	Jersey City, NJ	50.74	67	53
54	Cleveland, OH	50.45	52	56
55	Anaheim, CA	50.41	108	47
56	Aurora, CO	50.37	33	67
57	Manchester, NH	50.36	17	95
58	Charlotte, NC	50.32	121	44
59	St. Petersburg, FL	50.08	70	60
60	Columbus, OH	49.59	50	70
61	Dallas, TX	49.54	69	59
62	Lexington-Fayette, KY	49.45	2	97
63	Phoenix, AZ	49.38	39	73
64	New Haven, CT	49.30	72	68
65	Colorado Springs, CO	49.20	28	79
66	Garden Grove, CA	49.17	110	54
67	Spokane, WA	49.16	80	58
68	Jacksonville, FL	49.02	34	77
69	Baltimore, MD	48.75	79	61
70	Virginia Beach, VA	48.46	63	74
71	Newark, NJ	48.28	111	62
72	Oklahoma City, OK	48.16	55	78
73	Reno, NV	47.97	83	66
74	Salem, OR	47.97	36	87
75	Mesa, AZ	47.82	37	91
76	Nashville, TN	47.81	169	40
77	Santa Rosa, CA	47.77	176	34
78	Knoxville, TN	47.72	90	71
79	Gilbert, AZ	47.33	5	135
80	Bridgeport, CT	47.17	105	82
81	Bakersfield, CA	47.08	47	99
82	St. Paul, MN	47.00	106	75
83	Casper, WY	46.91	25	128
84	Plano, TX	46.87	35	101
85	Tulsa, OK	46.87	61	90
86	Long Beach, CA	46.80	124	64
87	Billings, MT	46.77	21	112
88	El Paso, TX	46.54	53	100
89	Tacoma, WA	46.29	129	65
90	Hialeah, FL	45.96	150	69
91	Columbia, SC	45.70	89	89
92	Toledo, OH	45.64	12	140
93	Fort Worth, TX	45.58	31	111
94	Chandler, AZ	45.56	6	137
95	Boise, ID	45.33	93	94
96	Baton Rouge, LA	45.29	141	81
97	Stockton, CA	45.26	154	72
98	Glendale, CA	45.15	113	96
99	Missoula, MT	45.11	29	121
100	Lincoln, NE	45.01	64	114
101	Laredo, TX	44.92	11	158
102	Amarillo, TX	44.91	13	149
103	Burlington, VT	44.91	166	63
104	Fargo, ND	44.78	75	116
105	Sioux Falls, SD	44.76	68	110
106	Nashua, NH	44.68	48	134
107	Detroit, MI	44.66	24	127
108	Overland Park, KS	44.62	129	92
109	Irving, TX	44.45	38	142
110	Fort Wayne, IN	44.43	3	162
111	Durham, NC	44.27	59	109
112	Kansas City, MO	44.01	114	102
113	Glendale, AZ	44.01	32	138
114	Port St. Lucie, FL	43.90	81	122
115	Norfolk, VA	43.89	58	133
116	Springfield, MO	43.83	117	108
117	Greensboro, NC	43.79	65	120
118	Huntington Beach, CA	43.72	144	88
119	Warwick, RI	43.50	164	76
120	Riverside, CA	43.47	109	104
121	Irvine, CA	43.33	148	93
122	Chula Vista, CA	43.19	97	125
123	Columbia, MD	43.18	101	130
124	Corpus Christi, TX	42.92	9	166
125	Cedar Rapids, IA	42.80	136	106
126	Little Rock, AR	42.62	95	136
127	Arlington, TX	42.54	41	157
128	Newport News, VA	42.53	60	155
129	Pembroke Pines, FL	42.52	142	107
130	Worcester, MA	42.38	123	113
131	Modesto, CA	42.37	147	105
132	Oceanside, CA	42.29	116	117
133	Dover, DE	42.15	131	119
134	Birmingham, AL	42.08	103	132
135	Peoria, AZ	41.97	76	153
136	Lewiston, ME	41.90	86	145
137	Oxnard, CA	41.86	158	103
138	Henderson, NV	41.84	74	144
139	Rapid City, SD	41.74	138	118
140	Cape Coral, FL	41.62	168	98
141	Anchorage, AK	41.60	128	115
142	Santa Clarita, CA	41.54	107	141
143	Tallahassee, FL	41.31	132	124
144	Memphis, TN	41.18	102	143
145	Yonkers, NY	41.04	174	84
146	Chattanooga, TN	40.95	137	131
147	Akron, OH	40.93	84	152
148	Charleston, WV	40.88	19	177
149	Fremont, CA	40.78	175	85
150	Lubbock, TX	40.74	44	167
151	Fayetteville, NC	40.55	42	170
152	Aurora, IL	40.54	156	126
153	Cheyenne, WY	40.53	51	174
154	South Burlington, VT	40.41	177	83
155	Las Cruces, NM	40.35	30	176
156	Wichita, KS	40.15	104	150
157	Winston-Salem, NC	40.02	118	147
158	Brownsville, TX	39.94	115	159
159	Garland, TX	39.86	99	160
160	Bismarck, ND	39.81	112	161
161	Fort Smith, AR	39.78	162	123
162	Huntington, WV	39.77	71	171
163	San Bernardino, CA	39.24	135	148
164	Huntsville, AL	39.05	125	154
165	Mobile, AL	38.44	119	164
166	Chesapeake, VA	38.41	77	173
167	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	37.72	92	169
168	North Las Vegas, NV	37.66	161	139
169	Columbus, GA	37.15	94	178
170	West Valley City, UT	37.00	159	151
171	Gulfport, MS	35.98	152	172
172	Fontana, CA	35.97	163	163
173	Grand Prairie, TX	35.93	151	165
174	Nampa, ID	35.68	167	156
175	Ontario, CA	35.57	171	146
176	Augusta, GA	35.45	78	181
177	Juneau, AK	34.97	180	129
178	Shreveport, LA	34.08	146	180
179	Jackson, MS	33.28	160	179
180	Montgomery, AL	33.05	133	182
181	Moreno Valley, CA	32.16	170	168
182	Pearl City, HI	25.13	182	175

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

artwork 2021 best and worst foodie cities for your wallet

Ask the Experts

Wallet-conscious foodies don’t always have to sacrifice quality for price. For money-saving advice and policy-related tips for improving the local food scene, we asked a panel of experts to weigh in with their thoughts on the following key questions:

What tips can you provide to foodies on a tight budget?
In evaluating the best foodie cities for your wallet, what are the top five indicators?
What are the dining out trends for 2021 and how has the pandemic affected Americans’ eating out habits?
What tips can you offer to health-conscious foodies who like to eat out?
What role, if any, can local authorities play in improving the food scene in their city?

Ask the Experts

: Carl Behnke
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Hospitality and Tourism Management Purdue University West Lafayette
Read More

: A. Elizabeth Goodson
Adjunct Instructor, Department of Health Studies, College of Arts and Sciences – American University
Read More

: Tracey Brigman
EdD, MS, RDN, LD – Clinical Assistant Professor; Director FACS Education Program, Interim FACS Coordinator of Food Safety and Preservation – University of Georgia, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Read More

: Nancy E. Brune
Executive Director, Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Nevada; Adjunct Instructor, Nevada System of Higher Education; Senior Fellow, William S. Boyd School of Law – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Read More

: Melinda Boyd
DCN, MPH, MHR, RD, FAND – Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition – Cedar Crest College
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the best and cheapest local foodie scenes, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Affordability” and “Diversity, Accessibility & Quality.”

We evaluated those dimensions using 29 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions and costs for foodies. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the cities in our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the “city proper” in each case and excluded surrounding cities in the metro area.

Affordability – Total Points: 30

Cost of Groceries: Double Weight (~7.50 Points)
Accessibility & Affordability of High-Quality Restaurants: Full Weight (~3.75 Points)
Note: This metric measures the prevalence of affordable restaurants with ratings of at least 4.5 stars.
Restaurant Meal Cost: Double Weight (~7.50 Points)
Sales Tax: Full Weight (~3.75 Points)
Food Tax: Full Weight (~3.75 Points)
Average Beer & Wine Price: Full Weight (~3.75 Points)
Note: “Average Beer Price” refers to the average price, excluding any deposit, of a six-pack of 12-ounce Heineken containers, and “Average Wine Price” refers to the average price of a 1.5-liter bottle of Chablis or Chenin Blanc or any white table wine.

Diversity, Accessibility & Quality – Total Points: 70

Restaurants per Capita*: Triple Weight (~7.50 Points)
Ratio of Full-Service Restaurants to Fast-Food Establishments: Triple Weight (~7.50 Points)
Growth in Number of Full Service Restaurants (2019 vs 2014): Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Restaurant Diversity: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Presence of Michelin-Starred Restaurants: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Average Ranking of Restaurants on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.” List: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Food Trucks per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Access to Healthy Food Options: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)
Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)
Farmers Markets & CSA Programs per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: “CSA” refers to community-supported agriculture.
Food Freshness: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: The share of workers involved in agricultural activities was used as a proxy for this metric.
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Craft Breweries & Wine Bars per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Gourmet Specialty-Food Stores per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: “Gourmet Specialty-Food Stores” includes, among others, candy stores, chocolatiers and cheese shops.
Grocery Stores per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
International Grocery Stores per Capita*: Half Weight (~1.25 Points)
Butcher Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Herbs & Spices Stores per Capita*: Half Weight (~1.25 Points)
Kitchen Supplies Stores per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Food Festivals per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Cooking Schools per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Food & Wine Tours per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, Federation of Tax Administrators, Tax Foundation, County Health Rankings, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Sale-Tax.com, Numbeo, Wikipedia, TripAdvisor and Yelp.

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