State-by-State Breakdown: How Regional Egg Prices Stack Up Against National Averages

The volatile egg market of early 2025 has left Americans grappling with dramatically fluctuating prices at the checkout. After peaking at an eye-watering $8.17 in early March, prices have since stabilized considerably. By mid-March, the national average settled around $4.90—nearly returning to 2024 levels of $4.38—though regional variations tell a more complex story about America’s food supply challenges.

National Price Trajectory and Current Market State

The journey of egg prices through 2025 reveals significant market turbulence. Starting the year at $5.81, prices surged to $7.52 by late January before hitting their shocking peak on March 3. The subsequent decline has brought relief to consumers, though not uniformly across the country. This dramatic swing reflects supply chain disruptions and production challenges that continue to ripple through different states unevenly.

Which States Pay Premium Prices

Hawaii stands as the clear outlier, with a dozen eggs commanding $9.73 in March 2025—nearly double the national average at 98.6% above. This astronomical price reflects the island state’s geographic isolation and shipping costs.

On the mainland, Florida emerges as the most expensive, at $6.36 per dozen (29.8% above average), followed closely by states like Alabama ($6.12), California ($6.05), Nevada ($6.07), and Arizona ($6.03). These states represent the upper tier of egg pricing, all exceeding the national benchmark by roughly 23-30%.

The Most Affordable Markets

In sharp contrast, Missouri offers the lowest prices at $4.24 per dozen—13.5% below the national average. Nebraska ($4.25), Ohio ($4.39), Kansas ($4.41), and Iowa ($4.44) round out America’s most affordable egg markets. Ohio specifically presents compelling value at just $4.39, positioning the state in the bottom tier for egg prices nationally. Compared to the 2025 average, Ohio’s egg prices sit 10.4% below, and year-over-year, they’ve remained essentially flat at just 0.2% above 2024 levels—making it one of the most price-stable states.

Mid-Range Pricing Patterns

The vast majority of states cluster in the $4.50-$5.70 range. States like Tennessee and Texas both sit at $5.61, roughly 14.5% above the national average. Colorado ($5.77), Vermont ($5.70), and Maine ($5.84) represent the upper-middle tier, while Kentucky ($4.51), Pennsylvania ($4.52), and Wyoming ($5.84) showcase the diversity within this band.

Regional Analysis: East vs. West vs. Midwest Patterns

Western states show more pronounced price elevation, with California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii all significantly above average. This reflects transportation costs and regional supply constraints.

Southern states display mixed results—while Florida leads in high prices, Arkansas ($4.95) and Kentucky ($4.51) offer more moderate rates, suggesting localized production capacity makes a difference.

Midwestern states demonstrate consistent affordability, with Indiana ($4.33), Missouri ($4.24), Nebraska ($4.25), and Ohio ($4.39) anchoring the nation’s least expensive markets. This reflects the region’s robust egg production infrastructure.

Northeastern states trend toward moderate-to-high pricing, with Massachusetts ($5.04), New Jersey ($5.05), and Connecticut ($5.54) reflecting typical urban market dynamics.

Year-Over-Year Context

When comparing March 2025 prices to March 2024 levels, the increases are substantial across the board. Most states show 9-15% year-over-year growth, though Hawaii leads with a staggering 122.1% increase, and Florida reports 45.2% growth. Even affordable states like Ohio show 0.2% growth—essentially unchanged—and Indiana actually declined 1.2%, making these two states rare examples of price stability or decline.

The Price Volatility Story

The $3.93 swing from the March peak ($8.17) to mid-month lows ($4.90) underscores the market’s underlying instability. This volatility suggests ongoing supply chain challenges, production capacity constraints in certain regions, and the lingering effects of bird flu impacts on laying hen populations. States with local production capacity, like those in the Midwest where Ohio leads in affordability, maintain more stable prices than states dependent on distant suppliers.

What This Means for Consumers

The data reveals that geographic location significantly impacts your grocery budget for this staple food. A family in Hawaii pays more than double what a family in Missouri pays, while Ohio residents enjoy some of the nation’s best egg pricing—a particularly noteworthy advantage for cost-conscious shoppers in that region. For most Americans in mid-range states, eggs cost roughly 10-20% more than they did a year ago, suggesting inflationary pressures persist despite recent price corrections.

As markets continue adjusting and production capacity stabilizes, monitoring these regional variations can help consumers understand whether local price changes reflect national trends or state-specific factors.