Study Finds Washington Most Expensive for Eating Out

A new study by the Washington Hospitality Association finds that restaurant guests in Washington are paying some of the highest prices in the nation to dine out. Menu prices at chain restaurants in the state are 13.6% higher than the national average—making Washington the most expensive of the 48 contiguous states.

Seattle Among the Nation’s Most Expensive Cities

Within the state, Seattle stands out as especially costly. Menu prices at chain restaurants there average 17% higher than those in 20 major U.S. cities, roughly on par with San Francisco and ahead of cities like New York and Los Angeles.

The analysis compared online menu prices for identical items at major national chains—including Burger King, Denny’s and Capital Grille—to isolate geographic differences. A Denny’s “Original Gr