Ice cream is the quintessential summer dessert, a refreshing treat on any hot day. But given inflation, it can sometimes seem like an expensive luxury. According to data from Statista, retail prices for ice cream have risen, reaching a high of $6.02 per 1.5 liters in 2023, up from less than $3 in 1995.
From road trips to beach vacations, summer is also the ideal time to travel. And a recent study by Preply found out how expensive ice cream is in America’s 50 most popular vacation destinations, in addition to the most popular flavors. Since these are vacation spots, prices might be higher than in other cities in the state.
In Philadelphia, the vacation spot chosen for Pennsylvania, the average price of a scoop of ice cream is $5.35, putting it at the top of the list. The bill for a family of four, each getting two scoops, would be over $42. Not surprisingly, just behind Philly is New York City, where the average scoop costs $5 and the most popular ice cream flavor is strawberry.
The two cheapest ice cream scoops are found in the Midwest. In Sandusky, Ohio, a scoop costs just $3.50. Since Ohio’s state tree is the buckeye, it’s no wonder the most popular ice cream flavor is the buckeye filled with chocolate and peanut butter.
The most popular ice cream flavors in all cities are butter pecan and vanilla. And other popular regional flavors like Buckeye include Superman from Michigan, Blue Moon from Wisconsin, and Marionberry from Oregon.
Green tea ice cream lovers should visit Anchorage, Alaska, or Park City, Utah, where green tea is the most popular flavor. Mango is the most popular flavor in Honolulu, and Moose Tracks tops the list in Chicago.
Of course, you can always make a big batch of homemade ice cream to enjoy at home and save money. Whether you’re in the mood for classic chocolate, creamy soft serve, or chocolatey cookies & cream, we have a recipe for you. Get creative this summer and bake strawberry shortcake ice cream cake and brownie ice cream sandwiches.
