What State Has the Cheapest Eggs? A Comprehensive 2025 Analysis

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to USDA data, U.S. egg prices have experienced significant volatility due to factors like avian influenza outbreaks and changing demand. This instability makes many consumers wonder: what state has the cheapest eggs, and what explains the drastic price differences from state to state?

Quick Summary

Egg prices vary significantly by state due to production costs, regional regulations, and supply chain issues like the avian flu. Midwest and Central states generally offer lower prices, while coastal areas tend to be more expensive.

Key Points

Cheapest States: Central and Midwestern states like Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio often have lower average egg prices due to lower production costs.
Most Expensive States: High-cost states like California and New York typically have the highest egg prices due to high living costs and regulations.
Avian Flu Impact: Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) significantly reduce the laying hen population, causing sharp price increases and volatility across the country.
Contributing Factors: Feed costs (corn, soybeans), fuel for transportation, labor wages, and state-specific regulations all play a major role in determining regional egg prices.
Price Volatility: Egg prices are not static and can change significantly over short periods due to market forces, disease outbreaks, and seasonal demand.
Saving Strategies: For the best prices, consumers should compare weekly prices, use store loyalty programs, consider bulk purchases, and check discount retailers like Aldi or Trader Joe's.

Identifying States with the Lowest Egg Prices

While pinpointing a single state with the cheapest eggs is difficult due to constant market fluctuations, data from early to mid-2025 can provide a snapshot of which states typically offer lower prices. According to analyses published in 2025, several states have consistently appeared on lists for having below-average egg prices.

These states often include:

Missouri
Indiana
Nebraska
Ohio
Kansas
Iowa
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
West Virginia

These states, particularly those in the Midwest, benefit from lower land, energy, and transportation costs associated with large-scale agricultural production. Conversely, states with high costs of living and restrictive agricultural regulations, like California and New York, consistently face some of the highest egg prices.

Factors Influencing State-by-State Egg Costs

Multiple complex factors contribute to the wide disparities in egg prices across the United States. These elements can shift rapidly, making yesterday's cheapest state potentially tomorrow's most expensive.

The Impact of Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is one of the most significant disruptors of egg supply and price. For example, in January 2025 alone, HPAI outbreaks affected 18.8 million commercial egg layers, leading to a substantial reduction in production and driving prices up. Such outbreaks can affect specific regions or spread across the country, causing widespread price volatility. States with large poultry farms are particularly vulnerable to these supply shocks.

Production Costs: Feed, Fuel, and Labor

The base cost of producing eggs is largely determined by the price of inputs. Chicken feed, primarily corn and soybeans, represents a large portion of a farmer's total expense. Fluctuations in commodity prices, driven by climate events, market forces, or geopolitical issues, have a direct impact on the final retail price. Similarly, the cost of labor for farm workers and energy for heating, lighting, and ventilation also contributes to regional price differences, with states having higher minimum wages or utility costs typically reflecting higher prices.

State Regulations and Production Capacity

Regulations vary significantly by state and can directly impact production costs and capacity. A prime example is California's Proposition 12, which imposes specific space requirements for laying hens. While intended to improve animal welfare, these regulations increase production costs, and by limiting the number of eggs that can be produced, they can drive prices higher, especially when supply is tight. Regions with high local production capacity may experience more stable prices, while states with lower local supply must rely on costlier transportation.

The Role of Transportation Costs

Transporting eggs from farms to grocery stores, especially across long distances, adds considerable cost. The food supply chain relies on refrigerated trucks, and factors like a shortage of truck drivers and rising fuel prices directly contribute to the final shelf price. This is a major reason why eggs in far-flung states like Hawaii or Alaska can sometimes be more expensive, despite some reports showing competitive pricing at certain points.

Comparison of Egg Prices by Region (Early-to-Mid 2025)

Data from sources like World Population Review and Coventry Direct in 2025 highlighted significant price disparities. While prices are constantly changing, this table illustrates the regional trends observed in 2025. This shows how multiple factors compound to affect the consumer price.


Region	Representative States	Typical Egg Price Trend	Key Contributing Factors
Midwest	Missouri, Indiana, Ohio	Below National Average	Proximity to feed sources, lower production costs, strong local supply.
Northeast	New York, Rhode Island	Above National Average	High cost of living, significant transportation costs, dense population demand.
Southeast	Florida, Alabama, Georgia	Above National Average	High population growth, distance from key production hubs, regional demand patterns.
West Coast	California, Nevada	Highest in the Nation	Strict animal welfare regulations (e.g., Prop 12), high labor costs, reliance on imports.
Mountain	Utah, Wyoming, Colorado	Near or Above Average	Transportation costs over long distances, less densely populated production areas.
Special Case	Alaska, Hawaii	Variable, sometimes cheaper	Unique logistics can lead to high prices, but local market conditions or bulk deals can surprisingly offer competitive pricing.

Strategies for Finding the Cheapest Eggs

For consumers, relying solely on state average prices isn't the most effective strategy. Instead, focusing on smart shopping habits can help you find the best deal, regardless of your location.

Use Store Apps and Loyalty Programs: Many major grocery chains offer weekly deals and app-exclusive savings on staple items like eggs. Joining a loyalty program can lead to special member pricing.
Compare Prices Weekly: Prices can change week to week based on retailer promotions and market conditions. Checking prices at multiple stores (including discount grocers like Aldi or Trader Joe's) is a simple way to find the lowest price.
Consider Bulk Stores: For those who use a lot of eggs, a bulk store membership (Costco, Sam's Club) can provide substantial savings per dozen, even if the upfront cost is higher.
Look for Rebates and Coupons: Apps like Ibotta sometimes offer cash-back rebates on groceries, including eggs.
Buy Store-Brand Eggs: Generic or store-brand eggs are almost always cheaper than name-brand alternatives, with no significant difference in quality.

Conclusion: The Ever-Changing Price of a Dozen

No single state holds the permanent title for the cheapest eggs, as prices are influenced by a complex and dynamic interplay of disease outbreaks, production costs, transportation, and regional regulations. While Midwest and Central states generally offer more affordable options due to lower agricultural costs, areas with high living expenses and strict regulations, like California, typically see the highest prices. For consumers, the best approach is to stay aware of market volatility and employ smart shopping strategies to find the best deals in their local area. The USDA's reports on avian flu impact demonstrate the market's sensitivity to supply issues and highlight the need for continued biosecurity improvements to stabilize the market over the long term.

USDA Report on Avian Flu and 2025 Egg Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the biggest factors affecting US egg prices is the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus, which significantly reduces the laying hen flock and overall egg supply during outbreaks.

Egg prices are higher in California largely due to state-specific regulations like Proposition 12, which mandates certain space requirements for hens. These rules increase production costs and limit output, driving up the retail price.

Yes, organic eggs almost always cost more than conventional eggs. The higher price is due to the increased costs associated with organic feed, different production standards, and the specific labeling requirements involved.

For large households or frequent egg users, buying eggs in bulk from stores like Costco or Sam's Club can be significantly cheaper on a per-dozen basis, provided you use them before they expire.

Feed costs, primarily for corn and soybeans, are the single largest input cost for egg farmers. When the price of these grains rises, it drives up the cost of production, which is then passed on to consumers.

Egg prices are highly volatile because the market is sensitive to supply and demand shocks, particularly from sudden factors like avian flu outbreaks that can wipe out millions of hens in a short time.

Yes, there is often a seasonal pattern. Egg production can decrease during colder months due to less daylight, while demand peaks during certain holidays like Easter and Passover, which can push prices higher.