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Best Cities for Pizza-Lovers

Best Cities for Pizza-Lovers

Pizza may have been invented in Italy, but we’ve made it our own. It’s been computed that U.S. residents consume about three billion pies per year. There probably isn’t a town of more than a thousand people in America that doesn’t have at least one pizzeria, and many cities have developed identifiable pizza styles and traditions of their own. (These are the most iconic foods every state has given the rest of the U.S.)

Unique varieties aside, which cities are best for pizza lovers? The lawn care company LawnStarter recently surveyed the country’s hundred largest metropolises to compile a list of 2021’s best cities for pizza addicts.

The survey established rankings based on five metrics: total pizza purveyors per 100,000 residents, average cost of a pizza, search interest for “pizza delivery,” how that search interest compared to search interest for just “food delivery,” and the Instagram popularity of pizza businesses.

Pizza-lovers might find some surprises in the list. California has had a huge influence on the American pizza scene, for instance, thanks to the artisanal efforts of Alice Waters at Berkeley’s Chez Panisse and, even moreso, the widely copied post-modern pizza innovations of the ubiquitous Wolfgang Puck of Los Angeles. Yet the highest ranked California city on this list is San Diego, at No. 27 — and only four Golden State cities appear in the top 50. (The absence of Connecticut’s renowned pizza capital, New Haven, is doubtless due to the fact that it’s too small to have been included in the survey.)

The most popular pizza topping in the country by far (not counting the traditional pizza sauce and mozzarella) is pepperoni. It also functions as an edible illustration of how we have made pizza our own, since there’s no such thing as pepperoni pizza in Italy. (Here are 10 Italian dishes that aren’t really Italian.)

Sausage, mushrooms, and “extra cheese” are also common additions to pizza. Some top pizza cities have their own regional specialties, though, and these, added by 24/7 Tempo, are indicated in the list that follows.

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

50. St. Paul, Minnesota
> Population: 304,547
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.59
> Favorite pizza: Sausage and sauerkraut

Source: anouchka / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

49. San Francisco, California
> Population: 874,961
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.59
> Favorite pizza: Heirloom tomato

Source: vwcampin / Flickr

48. Omaha, Nebraska
> Population: 475,862
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.35
> Favorite pizza: Ground beef

Source: LorraineHudgins / Getty Images

47. Norfolk, Virginia
> Population: 244,601
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.27
> Favorite pizza: BBQ chicken

Source: nunawwoofy / iStock via Getty Images

46. Bakersfield, California
> Population: 377,917
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.64
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni

Source: phillyskater / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

45. Baltimore, Maryland
> Population: 609,032
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.66
> Favorite pizza: Bacon and clam

Source: lucasartoni / Flickr

44. Kansas City, Missouri
> Population: 486,404
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.98
> Favorite pizza: Bacon, sausage, and pepperoni

Source: theogeo / Flickr

43. Memphis, Tennessee
> Population: 651,932
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.59
> Favorite pizza: BBQ pork

Source: edsel_ / Flickr

42. Louisville, Kentucky
> Population: 617,790
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $7.97
> Favorite pizza: Country ham

Source: bala_ / Flickr

41. Minneapolis, Minnesota
> Population: 420,324
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.59
> Favorite pizza: Hotdish (tater tots and mushroom sauce)

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

40. New Orleans, Louisiana
> Population: 390,845
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $7.22
> Favorite pizza: Crawfish

Source: RyanJLane / Getty Images

39. Austin, Texas
> Population: 950,807
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.58
> Favorite pizza: Brisket

Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

38. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Population: 1,579,075
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $8.96
> Favorite pizza: Cheesesteak

Source: Rebecca-Arnott / iStock via Getty Images

37. Fort Wayne, Indiana
> Population: 265,752
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.06
> Favorite pizza: Mushrooms and sausage

Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

36. Indianapolis, Indiana
> Population: 864,447
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.05
> Favorite pizza: Cheese and pepperoni

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

35. Greensboro, North Carolina
> Population: 291,303
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.47
> Favorite pizza: Mushrooms and pepperoni

Source: Courtesy of Miramax

34. Charlotte, North Carolina
> Population: 857,425
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.47
> Favorite pizza: Sweet Italian sausage

Source: mattcc716 / Flickr

33. Washington, District of Columbia
> Population: 692,683
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.53
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

32. Phoenix, Arizona
> Population: 1,633,017
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $8.01
> Favorite pizza: Margherita

Source: FogStock/Alin Dragulin / FogStock via Getty Images

31. Portland, Oregon
> Population: 645,291
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.15
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni and pineapple

Source: nataliemaynor / Flickr

30. Madison, Wisconsin
> Population: 254,977
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.47
> Favorite pizza: Veggie

Source: skvidal / Flickr

29. Durham, North Carolina
> Population: 269,702
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.41
> Favorite pizza: BBQ pork

Source: Haydoce / iStock via Getty Images

28. Los Angeles, California
> Population: 3,966,936
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.53
> Favorite pizza: Goat cheese

Source: tttuna / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

27. San Diego, California
> Population: 1,409,573
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.90
> Favorite pizza: White (mozzarella, ricotta, and garlic)

Source: csfotoimages / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

26. Nashville, Tennessee
> Population: 663,750
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.58
> Favorite pizza: Hot chicken

Source: tamasrepus / Flickr

25. Albuquerque, New Mexico
> Population: 559,374
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.64
> Favorite pizza: Green chile

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

24. Raleigh, North Carolina
> Population: 464,485
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.52
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni

Source: christiannafzger / iStock via Getty Images

23. Boise City, Idaho
> Population: 226,115
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.67
> Favorite pizza: Cheese and black olives

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

22. Tulsa, Oklahoma
> Population: 402,324
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.07
> Favorite pizza: White (mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan)

Source: Pgiam / Getty Images

21. Houston, Texas
> Population: 2,310,432
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.47
> Favorite pizza: Mozzarella and Italian sausage

Source: xavierarnau / E+ via Getty Images

20. Miami, Florida
> Population: 454,279
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.34
> Favorite pizza: Cuban (mozzarella, gouda, picadillo)

Source: bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

19. Buffalo, New York
> Population: 256,480
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.82
> Favorite pizza: Buffalo chicken

Source: travelista / Flickr

18. Fort Worth, Texas
> Population: 874,401
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.87
> Favorite pizza: Barbecue chicken

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

17. Jacksonville, Florida
> Population: 890,467
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.64
> Favorite pizza: Sausage and cheese

Source: burwellphotography / Getty Images

16. Columbus, Ohio
> Population: 878,553
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.44
> Favorite pizza: Tomato sauce and parmesan

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

15. Dallas, Texas
> Population: 1,330,612
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.87
> Favorite pizza: BBQ sauce and brisket

Source: bobbyuzda / iStock via Getty Images

14. Orlando, Florida
> Population: 280,832
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.64
> Favorite pizza: Fruit (mango, strawberry, etc.)

Source: Margarita-Young / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

13. Boston, Massachusetts
> Population: 684,379
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.36
> Favorite pizza: Cheese and bacon

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

12. Denver, Colorado
> Population: 705,576
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.72
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms

Source: ampueroleonardo / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

11. St. Petersburg, Florida
> Population: 261,338
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.29
> Favorite pizza: Brooklyn-style plain cheese

Source: gammaman / Flickr

10. Richmond, Virginia
> Population: 226,622
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $12.28
> Favorite pizza: Vegan cheese

Source: stuart_spivack / Flickr

9. Cleveland, Ohio
> Population: 385,282
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.51
> Favorite pizza: Bratwurst

Source: jeffgunn / Flickr

8. Atlanta, Georgia
> Population: 488,800
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.80
> Favorite pizza: Mushrooms, pepperoni, and extra cheese

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

7. Las Vegas, Nevada
> Population: 634,773
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.29
> Favorite pizza: Margherita

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

6. St. Louis, Missouri
> Population: 308,174
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.99
> Favorite pizza: Provel cheese

Source: Kasra Keighobady / iStock via Getty Images

5. Tampa, Florida
> Population: 387,916
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $9.29
> Favorite pizza: Cuban sandwich (roast pork, salami, ham, pickles)

Source: 5chw4r7z / Flickr

4. Cincinnati, Ohio
> Population: 301,394
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $11.51
> Favorite pizza: Goetta (ground pork and oat sausage)

Source: Althom / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
> Population: 302,205
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $8.85
> Favorite pizza: Italian beef

Source: bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images

2. Chicago, Illinois
> Population: 2,709,534
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $10.01
> Favorite pizza: Cheese (deep dish)

Source: 400tmax / iStock via Getty Images

1. New York, New York
> Population: 8,419,316
> Cost of living-adjusted price of a cheese pizza: $13.13
> Favorite pizza: Pepperoni

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