The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Own a Dog (#1 Might Surprise You)

possession dog It’s pure fun – until you check your bank account. Between food, vet visits, daycare, grooming, and the occasional “I couldn’t resist” game, pet costs can balloon faster than the cost of a Great Dane puppy. A 2025 Forbes Advisor Crushing numbers analysis of 91 United States cities To find out where dog ownership takes the bulk of your budget.

Results? It’s not the usual suspects like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Some of the most affordable cities for dog lovers may surprise you.

Here’s how the top 10 ranked, ranked from 10th to 1st.

10. Las Vegas, Nevada

Keeping a dog happy in Sin City isn’t cheap. Between veterinary care, pet insurance, and boarding, Vegas Owners spend an average of $1,508 per year — plus another $2,880 for daycare services. The city’s desert heat means that many dogs spend their days indoors under surveillance, which adds to the comfort. Still, for Vegas locals, the companionship is worth the gamble.

9. Tucson, Arizona

in Tucsonwhere the average household income is about $60,667, dog owners pay an average of $1,439 for veterinary care, insurance and boarding, and another $2,784 for day care. With miles of hiking trails and sunny weather, Tucson dogs get plenty of exercise — but the outdoor lifestyle often means frequent vet visits and preventive care, which keeps expenses high.

8. North Las Vegas, Nevada

Just down the road from the Strip, North Las Vegas has quietly become one of the most expensive places in the United States to raise a puppy. Dog owners here spend approximately $1,514 annually on medical and boarding needs, plus another $2,880 on daycare. The city’s rapid growth and high cost of services have meant pet expenses have risen, even as incomes have declined.

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

Dogs in the Big Easy may live a life filled with music and the smell of good food, but they’re not cheap. The average owner spends $1,382 a year on veterinary care and boarding, and another $2,880 on daycare. This is approximately 8 percent of the city’s median income. Between moisture, pests and accidents Mardi gras pressure, New OrleansAmazon dogs may be among the most pampered (and caring) dogs in America.

6. New York, New York

The city that never sleeps also never stops spending, especially on pets. New York City It ranks sixth overall, with veterinary care, insurance and boarding totaling $2,211 per year and day care averaging $3,648. This is the highest annual spending total on the list, yet New Yorkers don’t seem to be hesitant. From luxury dog ​​spas in Manhattan to off-leash hours Central ParkHere, the pups live a lavish life — even if their humans live in studio apartments.

5. Memphis, Tennessee

In the South, dog ownership reaches a sad tone Memphis. Local pet parents spend about $1,418 annually on veterinary care and boarding, and another $2,688 for daycare — costs that quickly add up against a median income of $55,840.

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4. El Paso, Texas

In El Paso, owning a dog costs about $1,323 a year in vet care and boarding, plus $2,496 for daycare. While this may not seem extreme by coastal standards, the city’s relatively low median income ($51,002) means pets take up a larger share of the household budget. Add to that the heat, plane travel, and specialty diets, and those vet bills start to feel quite Texas-sized.

3. Bakersfield, California

Dog owners in Bakersfield spend about $1,536 on medical care and boarding each year and $2,688 on daycare, making it the third most expensive city for dog walkers. With long, dry summers and limited shade, the city’s pet-sitting economy thrives thanks to grooming and refrigeration costs. Even basic maintenance comes at a higher price, but locals say the payoff is worth it: California sunshine and endless days in the park.

2. Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro may not be the first place you think of when it comes to expensive dog ownership, but it is a solid second place. Residents spend an average of $1,546 annually on vet care and boarding, plus $2,592 for day care. With a median income of less than $58,000, these costs eat up nearly 7 percent of household income. However, North Carolina’s strong pet culture — and ample green spaces — keeps their tails wagging.

1. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

First place may come as a shock. Winston-Salem, not New York or Los Angeles, is the most expensive city in America to own a dog. Forbes Advisor It found that residents pay an average of $1,533 a year on veterinary care, insurance and lodging, plus $2,784 for day care — more than 7.5 percent of the city’s median household income.

This makes Winston-Salem the ultimate test of canine loyalty. Between routine care, pet insurance, and high service costs, owning a puppy here may seem like a full-time financial commitment — but locals say the love is priceless.

Across the United States, the average dog owner spends about $1,533 a year on just the necessities. But in the 10 cities mentioned above, those totals routinely rise above $2,500, which sometimes doubles once daycare is included. Whether it’s the humidity of New Orleans, the heat of Bakersfield, or the views of the New York skyline, one thing is clear: wherever you live, dogs aren’t just man’s best friend — they’re a great investment.