A February 2025 study by Maine Lobster Now ranked U.S. states by pizza enthusiasm, crowning New Hampshire as the top pizza destination, while New York landed at a surprising 29th place. Here are five key takeaways from the study, critically examined to unpack the findings and their implications:
- New Hampshire’s Top Ranking: New Hampshire secured the No. 1 spot with 1,022 pizzerias, equating to 72.73 pizzerias per 100,000 residents—the highest density in the U.S. The state’s average pizza price of $15.74 is notably affordable, and it showed strong pizza enthusiasm with 22,512 pizza-related Google searches per 100,000 residents. This suggests a vibrant pizza culture, though the study doesn’t assess pizza quality, which may skew perceptions of “best.”
- New York’s Unexpected Low Rank: New York, synonymous with iconic thin-crust slices, ranked 29th due to a lower pizzeria density (19.09 per 100,000 residents) and a high average pizza price of $19.73, one of the costliest in the dataset. Despite 3,717 pizzerias, the state’s cultural dominance in pizza wasn’t enough to offset these metrics, raising questions about whether the study’s criteria undervalue quality and tradition.
- Methodology Focuses on Accessibility and Cost: The study evaluated states based on three metrics: pizzerias per capita, pizza-related Google search volume, and average pizza price. This approach favors states with high accessibility and affordability, like New Hampshire and Kansas (No. 6, with a $14.96 average pie), over those with pricier, quality-driven scenes like New York or Chicago (No. 10 in other rankings). The methodology may not capture intangibles like taste or cultural significance, which could explain New York’s “shockingly low” placement.
- Other Top States Highlight Regional Diversity: The top five states after New Hampshire were Ohio, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, with Ohio standing out for 4,150 pizzerias and the highest search volume (28,563 per 100,000 residents). Kansas and West Virginia also ranked high due to low prices ($14.96 and $15.89, respectively). This diversity suggests pizza culture thrives beyond traditional hubs, but the study’s emphasis on quantity over quality might overlook artisanal scenes in places like New York.
- Critical Perspective on the Rankings: The study’s reliance on pizzeria density and cost, while objective, sidelights factors like pizza style, chef expertise, or consumer satisfaction, which are harder to quantify. New York’s 29th ranking feels like a headline-grabbing anomaly, possibly designed to spark debate, as the state still sets the “cultural gold standard” for pizza, per the report. The study also comes from a lobster delivery service, not a culinary authority, which raises questions about its rigor. Meanwhile, other 2025 rankings, like Clever Real Estate’s, place Rochester, New York, as the top pizza city, highlighting inconsistencies in pizza evaluations.
Critical Reflection
The Maine Lobster Now study’s findings challenge conventional wisdom by prioritizing accessibility over prestige, but this approach may misrepresent what makes a state a pizza “capital.” New Hampshire’s high pizzeria count and low prices are compelling, but without quality metrics, it’s hard to argue it surpasses New York’s storied pizza heritage. The “shockingly low” New York ranking seems partly clickbait, as even the study acknowledges the state’s cultural dominance. Posts on X echo skepticism, with some users calling New Hampshire’s win absurd and others defending New York’s supremacy, though these are anecdotal. For a fuller picture, cross-referencing with quality-focused rankings, like Yelp’s or 50 Top Pizza’s, would balance the narrative.
If you want details on specific pizzerias in New Hampshire, New York’s pizza scene, or a deeper dive into the study’s data, let me know!