What will Thanksgiving dinner cost this year? Which pies are most popular across different regions of the United States? And how do recent trends compare to years past?
As Thanksgiving approaches, these are some of the questions we set out to answer. Just like travel patterns, food trends can reveal fascinating insights about how we celebrate this holiday. With the power of data, we can predict costs, uncover regional preferences, and even help you plan a menu that your guests will love—all while staying within budget.
How Much Will Thanksgiving Dinner Cost This Year?
Once everyone arrives, the spotlight turns to the main event: Thanksgiving dinner. In recent years, inflation has driven up the cost of the traditional feast. According to the American Farm Bureau, the average price of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people jumped from $46.90 in 2020 to $64.05 in 2022, before slightly cooling in 2023 as inflation eased.
Using Graph Builder in Minitab Statistical Software, we visualized this trend:
The data shows a significant increase in prices over the last few years, particularly for turkey, due to rising feed costs and supply chain disruptions. However, with inflation continuing to stabilize, this year’s Thanksgiving dinner cost is likely to remain close to 2023 levels.
What Pie Should I Buy This Year?
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without dessert, so naturally we turned our attention to pies. Regional preferences for pumpkin, apple, pecan, and other pies tell a story about holiday traditions across the country.
Using a heatmap in Minitab Statistical Software, we visualized these preferences by region:
The heatmap revealed that in the South, pumpkin pie is a safe bet, while the Northeast prefers pumpkin and apple pie. Pecan pie is also a strong choice in the South. Interestingly, the "other" category received the highest votes in each region, suggesting a wide variety of unique pie preferences across the country.
Unlock the Power of Data with a Free Minitab Trial
Thanksgiving trends provide just one example of how data can inform decisions, big or small. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner or forecasting for your business, Minitab Statistical Software empowers you to uncover patterns, validate trends, and make confident decisions.
Start exploring the power of data today with a complimentary Minitab trial.