Kentucky second least expensive state to get a dog

NEW YORK — Kentucky is one of two states where dog owners can get a dog on average for less than $200.

The average price to acquire a dog in Kentucky: $196.17. That compares to a national average above $300.

• Dog owners in Kentucky are more likely to buy their dog from a breeder (36.5%).
• More than eight out of 10 (81.2%) dog owners in Kentucky prefer getting a puppy than an older 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, we surveyed 10,000 dog owners, with 200 participants from each state, to determine how much it costs to welcome a dog into their family.

Key Takeaways

The Most Expensive States to get a dog

1. Delaware

If you’re looking to add a furry friend to the family in Delaware, be prepared to spend the highest amount of any other state in the country.

The average price to acquire a dog in Delaware: $686.68

• Only 6% of dog owners in Delaware report getting their dog for free, well below the national average of 23.8%.
• Dog owners in Delaware are most likely to adopt a puppy (42%) than dogs of any other age.
• Delaware dog owners say their priciest recurring dog-related expense is veterinary care.

2. Florida

Dog owners in Florida are more open to getting an older dog than a puppy, but pay a hefty price to welcome their new companion into the family.

The average price to acquire a dog in Florida: $599.25

• Florida dog owners are most likely to have gotten their dog from a breeder (29.5%), just edging out those who received their dog as a gift (28%), and those who adopted from a shelter (27%).
• Florida is among three states where dog owners are more likely to acquire a dog between the ages of 3 to 5 years old.
• Florida dog owners report dog food as their biggest ongoing expense related to their pet.

3. New Hampshire

New Hampshire ranks as the third most expensive state for getting a dog, with a significant preference for breeder-purchased puppies among dog owners.

The average price to acquire a dog in New Hampshire: $576.41

• A small percentage of New Hampshire dog owners (3.5%) paid more than $2,000 for their dog, which is one percentage point higher than the study’s average.
• Just over two-fifths (44.5%) of all dog owners in New Hampshire bought their dog from a breeder.
• New Hampshire dog owners prefer puppies over older dogs, with over eight out of 10 (81.5%) owners saying their dog was a puppy when they acquired them.

4. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is the fourth most expensive state to acquire a dog in the country, with a majority of dog owners opting for puppies when bringing their dog home.

The average price to acquire a dog in Pennsylvania: $571.07

• Nearly 10% of dog owners in Pennsylvania (9.5%) paid more than $2,000 for their dog, well above the national average of 2.5%.
• Only 12% of dog owners in Pennsylvania got their dog for free, well below the national average of 23.8%.
• More than half (57%) of Pennsylvania dog owners got their dog as a puppy.

5. South Carolina

South Carolina is among the priciest states for getting a dog, and most dog owners choose puppies from breeders.

The average price to acquire a dog in South Carolina: $548.23

• 14% of dog owners in South Carolina—the highest in the country—paid more than $2,000 for their dog.
• The majority (70.5%) of South Carolina dog owners chose to bring home a puppy.
• Close to half of the state’s dog owners (41%) bought their dog from a breeder.

6. New York

Most New Yorkers choose puppies over older dogs and turn to breeders to acquire their new best friend.

The average price to acquire a dog in New York: $539.03

• A little more than half (52%) of dog owners in New York bought their dog from a breeder.
• New Yorkers are also most likely to choose a puppy (53.5%) when getting a new dog.
• In New York, dog owners say their biggest ongoing dog-related expense is purchasing dog food, which accounts for 31% of their overall costs.

7. Maryland

The seventh most expensive state to get a dog, Maryland dog owners prefer breeder-purchased pets.

The average price to acquire a dog in Maryland: $534.95

• Nearly half of Maryland dog owners (48%) purchased their furry friends from a breeder, followed by those who chose to adopt a dog from a shelter (20.5%).
• For pet parents in Maryland, veterinary care is the most common recurring dog-related expense, making up 31.5% of their costs.

8. North Dakota

North Dakota stands out as the only Midwestern state among the top 10 most expensive states to acquire a dog, with a notable preference for puppies from a breeder.

The average price to acquire a dog in North Dakota: $507.75

• North Dakota is the only Midwestern state featured in the top 10 most expensive states to acquire a dog.
• In North Dakota, 15% of pet parents got their most recent dog for free, which is lower than the national average of 23.8%.
• Close to half of North Dakota dog owners were more likely to buy their dog from a breeder (46%) than from a shelter (22%).
• More than three-quarters of North Dakota dog parents (76%) chose a puppy when bringing home a new dog.

9. Connecticut

Connecticut is the ninth most expensive state to acquire a dog, with dog owners most likely opting for a breeder-purchased puppy.

The average price to acquire a dog in Connecticut: $501.55

• Most dog owners in Connecticut bought their pet from a breeder (40.5%).
• Nearly three-quarters of dog owners in Connecticut (70%) chose to purchase a puppy.
• Veterinary care ranked as the most costly recurring dog-related expense for dog owners in Connecticut (37%).

10. Vermont

Vermont stands out as the only state among the top 10 most expensive for acquiring a dog where the average purchase price is under $500.

The average price to acquire a dog in Vermont: $488.97

• In Vermont, 5% of dog owners spent over $2,000 for their dog, which is twice the average national rate of 2.5%.
• Pet parents in Vermont are most likely to buy a dog from a breeder (44.5%), followed by adopting from a shelter (26%).
• Vermont dog owners most often adopt puppies, with 79% choosing puppies over older dogs.

The Least Expensive States To Buy A Dog

While getting a dog in the following U.S. states will cost you significantly less, potential dog owners should be prepared for other costly expenses, like toys and accessories, dog food and a lifetime of medical care.

1. Oklahoma

Oklahoma dog owners spend less than half the national average to acquire a dog.

The average price to acquire a dog in Oklahoma: $172.47

• In Oklahoma, the average cost of acquiring a dog is $219 lower than the nationwide average of $391.
• When choosing a dog, more than three-quarters of dog owners in Oklahoma (78%) went with a puppy over an older dog.
• Nearly half of Oklahoma dog owners (43.5%) say their biggest ongoing expense related to their pet is dog food.

2. Kentucky

Kentucky is one of two states where dog owners can get a dog for less than $200.

The average price to acquire a dog in Kentucky: $196.17

• Dog owners in Kentucky are more likely to buy their dog from a breeder (36.5%).
• More than eight out of 10 (81.2%) dog owners in Kentucky prefer getting a puppy than an older dog.

3. Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the most affordable states for acquiring a dog, and many owners receive their pets as a gift.

The average price to acquire a dog in Mississippi: $212.94

• About one in five (20.5%) dog owners in Mississippi say they received their dog as a gift, likely explaining why a high percentage (40.5%) say they paid nothing for their dog.
• Nearly three-quarters (74.5%) of Mississippi dog owners chose to get a puppy.

4. Tennessee

In Tennessee, dog owners more often choose to get their dogs from breeders, and usually favor puppies.

The average price to acquire a dog in Tennessee: $233.67

• In Tennessee, most dog owners (30%) purchased their dogs from a breeder, followed by adopting from a shelter (21.5%).
• The majority of Tennesseans (82%) said they chose a puppy when they acquired their pet.
• For more than half of Tennessee dog owners (56.5%), dog food is the most costly recurring expense.

5. Kansas

Kansas stands out as the only Midwestern state among the five least expensive states to acquire a dog, with more dog owners adopting from shelters than buying from breeders.

The average price to acquire a dog in Kansas: $246.19

• Kansas is the only Midwestern state among the five least expensive states to acquire a dog.
• Kansas dog owners are more likely to adopt from a shelter (30.5%) than to buy from a breeder (29%).

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.

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.