America’s Cheapest Beer Is In Michigan, Most Expensive In Pennsylvania

Beer lovers, raise a pint to the best possible news: Michigan beer is the cheapest in the country. That’s according to a study from Simple Thrifty Living, a financial advice blog that looked at the cost of a case of beer in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

On average, Michigan residents pay $14.62 for a 24-pack of beer, seven bucks and change less than beer drinkers pay in Pennsylvania and $2 less than the No. 10 cheapest state, Nebraska. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Detroit Patch, click here to find your local Michigan Patch. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The data used in the study was obtained primarily from two major retailers, Walmart and Total Wine, and surveys from 10 nearby stores. A mix of urban and rural locations were considered, and prices for 24-packs of 12-ounce cans were obtained for two popular domestic beers: Bud Light and Miller Lite.

• See Also: 4 Of America’s Top Beers Come From Michigan Breweries

Peculiarities in each state’s alcohol laws can greatly affect the cost of a case of beer, Simple Thrifty Living said.

Here’s the breakdown on the cost of a 24-pack of beer:

10 Least Expensive States

Michigan: $14.62
California; $14.87
Illinois: $15
North Carolina: $15.23
Connecticut: $15.96
South Carolina: $15.96
Indiana: $15.98
Virginia: $15.98
Arizona: $16.35
Nebraska: $16.62

10 Most Expensive States

Pennsylvania: $21.98
Tennessee: $21.97
Texas: $21.66
North Dakota: $21.38
Rhode Island: $21.10
Nevada: $20.93
Oklahoma: $20.66
Alaska: $20.65
Wyoming: $20.45
District of Columbia: $20.34

Photo by Topher i via Flickr Commons