We all know pizza styles vary dramatically from city to city (see: the great Chicago vs. New York pizza rivalry) — but what about prices? The folks over at Eater set out to determine just how much the cost of pizza (specifically classic margherita pizza) varies across the nation and created this handy infographic to illustrate their findings.
To create an accurate index, Eater only analyzed pies from VPN-certified pizzerias. (VPN stands for Verace Pizza Napoletana.) To be certified, pizzas must adhere to a code that includes the following rules: cheese must be mozzarella di bufala campana D.O.P, mozzarella S.T.G., or a certified Fior di Latte, olive oil must be extra virgin, basil must be fresh and salt must be from the sea.
Turns out the cheapest VPN-certified pizzas can be found in Kentucky, and the most expensive can be found in New York, the Bay Area, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The national average is $13.21
For pizza fans on a budget, this map could actually be a useful guide. For example, if you’re for some reason torn between visiting Kentucky and Connecticut, might as well go for Kentucky so you can eat cheap pizza to your heart’s content.
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