These are officially the most expensive states to own a dog—because unconditional love is not free

Owning a dog isn’t just about squeaky toys and Sunday walks—it’s also about your budget. And depending on where you live, the price tag for being a pet parent can swing from manageable to downright jaw-dropping. New research from Tractor Supply dug into the numbers, pulling data from Rover and Care Credit to rank all 50 states on the real costs of canine companionship. The findings? Location matters almost as much as breed when it comes to what you’ll spend on your four-legged best friend.

California is the most expensive state in the country to own a dog, scoring a perfect 100 on the “ouch” scale. Everything is pricey in the Golden State—dog walking alone averages $25, while daycare runs about $50 a day. Even a standard vet visit hovers around $110. California lands in the top five for every single category measured, making it a paradise for sunshine and beaches, but a financial challenge for Fido’s humans.

Just behind is Massachusetts, where pet parenting comes with big bills. Doggy daycare costs roughly $45 per day, pet insurance runs around $59 per month and boarding is a steep $60 a night. Wherever you turn, the Bay State demands premium dollars to keep tails wagging. Washington wraps up the top three, with similarly steep rates. Walking the dog is tied with California for the highest ($25), while daycare and boarding both land at around $45 and $60, respectively.

Of course, not every state makes pet ownership feel like a luxury hobby. You’ll find the most affordable prices in the nation in Kansas. Veterinary visits average just $76, dog walks can be as low as $15 and pet sitting comes in at $35—a relative bargain compared to the coasts. Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas round out the budget-friendly winners, with consistently low costs for insurance, daycare and boarding.

So if you’re looking to add a canine companion to the mix, where you live might dictate how much that little addition will cost. In California, a pup could feel like a second rent payment. In Kansas, it’s more like a Netflix subscription. Either way, our furry friends are worth it. But your wallet might have a different opinion.

Most expensive states to own a dog

1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. Washington
4. New Jersey
5. New York
6. Connecticut
7. Maine
8. Rhode Island
9. New Hampshire
10. Hawaii