Tipping has become a regular part of our lives. Whether you are grabbing coffee, dining at a sit-down restaurant, or getting your hair cut, tipping is expected almost everywhere. But while many Americans feel tipping is out of control, some are still very generous with it—more than you might expect. A new study from LendingTree just revealed which state tips the most, and the winner might surprise you. Let us break it down.
Which state tips the most in the U.S.?
According to LendingTree, New Hampshire takes the top spot for the highest tipping rate in the entire country. Yes, you read that right. Not Texas. Not Pennsylvania. Not even Florida. It is New Hampshire.
- People in New Hampshire tip an average of 16.07% when they dine out
- That is well within the standard 15–20% tipping range many Americans aim for
- It is also four times higher than the lowest tipping state—Utah
If you are shocked, you are not alone. Many might expect bigger states or those with more restaurants to be the leaders, but this shows generosity does not always match size.
Why do people in New Hampshire tip more?
So, why is New Hampshire tipping more than any other state?
Here are a few reasons:
- People in New Hampshire seem to dine at full-service restaurants more often, where tipping is more common
- The culture may simply be more service-friendly, and folks value good service
- Spending patterns can affect tip percentage—even if people spend less overall, tipping consistently keeps the percentage high
As Matt Schulz, Chief Consumer Financial Analyst at LendingTree, explained, “If people in one state tend to dine at full-service restaurants far more often than those in another state, it stands to reason their overall percentage spent on tips would be higher.”
What states come next after New Hampshire?
After New Hampshire, several other states also show strong tipping habits. Check out the top tippers:
- District of Columbia – 12.65%
- South Carolina – 11.17%
- Minnesota – 10.11%
- North Carolina – 9.75%
- Washington – 9.51%
These are the states where folks are still showing love to waiters, bartenders, and service staff. While some of these might make sense based on population and dining culture, others are a bit surprising.
Which states tip the least?
At the bottom of the list, Utah comes in with an average tip rate of just 4.09%. But before you start judging, keep in mind:
- Not all food away from home is eaten at places where tipping is expected
- Fast food, vending machines, and takeout are included in the data
- So if people in these states eat out often but not at full-service places, tipping rates can seem low
Other lower-tipping states include:
- Mississippi – 4.91%
- Idaho – 5.10%
- Alabama – 5.21%
- Arkansas – 5.26%
Again, this does not necessarily mean these states are not generous—it just depends on how and where they eat.
Where do americans spend the most on dining out?
Interestingly, Washington D.C. leads the country in how much people spend on dining out. In 2023, the average resident spent over $10,000 on meals outside the home. That is nearly $3,500 more than the runner-up state, Nevada.
Here are the top 5 in dining out spending:
- District of Columbia – $10,291
- Nevada – $6,752
- Hawaii – $6,628
- California – $5,072
- Massachusetts – $4,626
So even though D.C. residents spend the most, they do not tip as high as New Hampshire. This shows that how much you spend does not always equal how much you tip.
How tipping supports service workers
For millions of Americans working in tipped jobs—like servers, bartenders, and baristas—tips are more than just a “thank you.” They are a crucial part of income.
- Federal minimum wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 an hour
- If tips do not bring them up to the regular minimum wage of $7.25, employers are required to make up the difference
- Tipping helps many of these workers stay afloat financially
And with a new proposal like the “No Tax on Tips” bill being discussed in Congress, there is a bigger spotlight on how vital tipping really is for working Americans.
Additionally, while tipping is often debated, this new study shows that generosity still thrives in places you might not expect—like New Hampshire. Whether you tip a little or a lot, it is clear that how and where Americans dine plays a big role in who tips the most.
