FinanceBuzz looked at the cost of a turkey in every state to see where people can get the best and worst deals for their Thanksgiving dinner.
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Home chefs across America are gearing up for the biggest feast of the year. Side dishes are chosen based on personal taste, but the turkey, which has been a Thanksgiving staple for generations, is always the main course.
The turkey is also usually the most expensive part of a Thanksgiving meal. To help cooks plan their shopping, our team at FinanceBuzz figured out how much they should spend on their bird this year.
To determine the average cost for a turkey in 2024, we collected prices from multiple U. S. we looked at grocery stores across the country to find out how much a turkey will cost in each state this Thanksgiving.
How Much Does a 20 Pound Turkey Cost for Your Holiday Feast?
As the holidays approach, many families look forward to gathering around a delicious roasted turkey as the centerpiece of their feast. But when it comes time to shop for that perfect bird to feed the whole gang, one key question always comes up – how much is a 20 pound turkey going to set me back?
Understanding typical 20 pound turkey prices and smart shopping strategies can help find the best bargain bird for your holiday table. Let’s break down the need-to-know details on scoring an affordable 20 pounder for your upcoming celebrations!
Average Cost of a 20 Pound Turkey
A frozen 20 pound whole turkey from the grocery store typically runs between $40-$50 during peak holiday seasons like Thanksgiving and Christmas. In non-holiday periods, expect to pay $1.99-$2.99 per pound for a total of $35-$45 for a frozen 20 pound turkey.
Here are some more specifics on average per-pound and total pricing for a 20 pound turkey:
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Non-holiday periods $1.99-$2.99 per lb so $35-$45 total
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Thanksgiving season: $2.25-$2.75 per lb, so $45-$55 total
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Christmas season: $2.50-$3 per lb, so $50-$60 total
Of course, specialty fresh turkeys from small farms, butcher shops, or premium brands can cost quite a bit more, ranging from $60-$100 for a 20 pounder.
Where to Find the Best Deals
To get the lowest price on a turkey, it pays to check pricing across multiple sources:
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Grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, and Albertsons will often run special holiday pricing, discounts, and coupons ranging from $0.49/lb to $0.59/lb off turkeys and other holiday staples with a minimum purchase.
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Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s frequently have ultra-low turkey prices for members, as low as $0.89-$1.49/lb for a high-quality bird.
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Local family farms and butcher shops in your area may offer specialty turkeys at premium prices, but some also run holiday sales, so call around.
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Online retailers like Omaha Steaks and Schwan’s sell mail order turkeys at very competitive rates compared to grocery stores.
Checking for deals across multiple retailers gives you the best shot at scoring a bargain 20 pound turkey this holiday season.
Buying Fresh vs. Frozen Turkeys
Another factor that impacts the price is whether you opt for a frozen or fresh turkey. On average:
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Frozen turkeys are cheaper, generally $0.99-$1.49/lb year-round. The benefit is you can purchase them well in advance and allow time to safely thaw in the fridge before cooking.
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Fresh turkeys range from $1.49-$1.99/lb typically. They offer more convenience for last minute shoppers since they’re ready to cook immediately, but do need to be cooked within 1-2 days of purchasing.
When deciding between fresh or frozen, weigh the price difference against your needs. Plan ahead and go frozen to save, or pay a premium for a fresh bird if you’re short on time.
Get the Right 20 Pound Size
When estimating what size turkey to buy, plan for about 1 pound per person, plus a little extra. A 20 pound turkey will feed around 16-20 people comfortably with a bit of leftovers.
If you’re serving a larger gathering, size up. For smaller groups, size down. You want to avoid wasting food from a huge turkey or leaving guests hungry with a tiny bird. Do some quick math on your final guest count and appetites to pick the ideal 20 pound or other weight.
Shop Early for the Hottest Deals
The absolute best turkey pricing and promotions tend to launch about 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving at most grocery retailers. Waiting too long risks missing out on the hot deals.
Shopping early also gives you time to safely thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator over several days. Make a plan to start deal hunting and snag your main turkey 1-2 weeks pre-holiday to take advantage of peak sales.
Locking in the best bargains now removes the stress of how much that special 20 pounder will set you back for the big feast.
Save with Turkey Parts
Another way to save money is opting for turkey parts instead of a whole bird. Prices per pound on parts like turkey breast, thighs, and drumsticks are often lower than buying an entire turkey.
Some turkey parts to consider for your holiday spread:
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Boneless turkey breast: $3.49-$5.99/lb
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Bone-in turkey breast: $1.99-$2.99/lb
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Turkey thighs: $0.89-$1.99/lb
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Drumsticks: $0.79-$0.99/lb
Mixing a few discounted parts into your meal can add variety to the menu while keeping your overall costs down.
More Ways to Save
Using coupons, buying in bulk, and other strategies can lead to big savings on turkeys:
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Check ads and clip both paper and digital coupons from grocery stores and apps
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Buy discounted grocery gift cards from resellers to lower the overall cost
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Check warehouse clubs for lowest regular prices
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Consider buying two smaller turkeys instead of one huge one if they are on sale
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Shop post-holiday clearance sales for deeply discounted leftovers
With some strategic shopping, bargain hunting, proper planning, and creativity, you can absolutely find a delicious 20 pound turkey that fits your budget. Start early, shop around, look for deals, and buy creatively. Follow these tips to relax and enjoy a fabulous centerpiece turkey without breaking the bank this holiday season!
States with the most affordable Thanksgiving turkeys
Turkeys are most affordable in Oklahoma, where they cost just $19. 75 on average. That’s nearly $11. 50 cheaper than the national average. Another state where the average turkey price is less than $20 is Louisiana, where a 15-pound turkey costs $19 on average. 80.
Least expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Oklahoma | $19.75 |
| Louisiana | $19.80 |
| Mississippi | $22.30 |
| Texas | $22.60 |
| Illinois | $22.85 |
| Ohio | $22.85 |
| Kentucky | $24.85 |
| Tennessee | $24.85 |
| Michigan | $25.35 |
| Indiana | $25.85 |
| Kansas | $25.85 |
Turkeys cost $22 in Mississippi and Texas, which are the third and fourth cheapest places in the country to buy one. 30 and $22. 60, respectively. Two states are tied with the fifth-lowest average cost, with a 15-pound bird coming in at $22. 85 in both Illinois and Ohio.
How much are Thanksgiving turkeys this year? Average turkey costs by state
As is the case with many goods, the most expensive average turkey prices in the U. S. were found away from the contiguous United States. Residents of Hawaii can expect to pay the highest rate in the country ($52. 85) for a 15-pound turkey. That’s nearly 70% more than the national average of $31. 16.
Turkeys cost almost $10 less in Alaska ($44. 85), but that still makes the bird more expensive than in any of the remaining 48 states. Hawaiians and Alaskans are no strangers to high prices. It is always one of the most expensive places to live in Alaska and Hawaii because it costs a lot to ship goods to those states from other states.
Most expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Hawaii | $52.85 |
| Alaska | $44.85 |
| California | $39.85 |
| Connecticut | $36.85 |
| Montana | $36.85 |
| New Jersey | $36.85 |
| Nebraska | $36.35 |
| New York | $35.85 |
| Minnesota | $35.30 |
| Georgia | $34.85 |
| North Carolina | $34.85 |
On the mainland, California has the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $39. 85 in the Golden State. A 15-pound turkey costs $36 in three states, which is tied for the fourth-highest price in the country. 85 on average in Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey.
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