Find out how your state stacks up
There’s nothing quite like a backyard cookout to signal the start of summer. When you envision the perfect backyard cookout, you’re probably thinking of good food, good weather, comfortable places to eat and play, and the company you enjoy. While we can’t determine just how friendly residents in each state are, we can tell you about everything else that makes a backyard cookout so perfect. Read on to find out if your state is one of the best (or worst) for a backyard celebration with friends.
When considering which states have the best chance of their residents’ throwing a fantastic backyard cookout, we looked at several important factors:
Average precipitation
Average temperature
Average yard size
Average cost per pound of a boneless chicken breast
Average cost of a pound of ground beef
Overall, we used our data to identify states with low precipitation, warm temperatures, large yards, and low-cost chicken and beef.
To determine the ranking for each state, we gave each of the factors mentioned above a weight, ranked each state based on each factor, and used the resulting numbers to come up with a best-to-worst list. Each factor was weighted based on importance, with average precipitation and temperature weighed at 2.5, average yard size weighted at 2, and the average cost of chicken and beef weighted at 1.5. States could receive an overall top score of 50, with those in the top 10 scoring 25.9 or above.
We pulled the numbers from USA.com to determine average rainfall and average temperature. For information on average yard size (majorly important if you’ll be hosting a crowd), we checked in with HomeAdvisor. The average cost of a pound of boneless chicken breast and the average cost of a pound of ground beef was readily available through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It may be no surprise that most of the top states for a backyard cookout are in some of the sunniest states. Southern states typically have warmer temperatures, bigger home lots, and grocery stores with lower-priced items than their northern counterparts.
Texas, the Lone Star State and live music capital of the world, is also the top state to gather friends and relatives and host a backyard cookout, with an overall score of 31.4. With a good chance for a sunny day (Texas is number four when it comes to the lowest average precipitation across the U.S.) and an average temperature of 65.97, cookout guests in Texas are sure to be comfortable as they enjoy their grilled chicken and burgers.
Texas cookout hosts won’t have to worry about their grocery bills as much as hosts in other states either. Prices for chicken ($3.16 per pound of boneless chicken breast) and beef ($4.49 per pound) tied for the lowest in the nation with several other states.
The top five states are:
1. Texas, with an overall score of 31.4
2. Oklahoma, with an overall score of 29
3. Florida, with an overall score of 28.3
4. South Carolina, with an overall score of 26.6
5. Georgia, with an overall score of 26.5.
If you live in Alaska, you might be scratching your head about exactly why anyone wants to host or attend a backyard barbecue. Alaskan residents are uniquely qualified to wonder about this since they live in the worst state for backyard barbecues, with an overall score of 8.4.
Alaska has the coldest average temperature of all U.S. states, at 32.03°F, and plenty of rainy and snowy weather, with an average of 29.03 inches of precipitation per year. While Alaskan residents do have relatively large yards (the tenth-largest in the U.S.), cookout hosts might not want to invite too many guests to their party since they tie with several other states for the highest cost of ground beef at $5.62 per pound.
Other states that found themselves at the bottom of the list tended to be in the northern half of the United States. These states have high grocery prices, small yards, low temperatures, and rainy weather. The bottom five states for a BBQ are:
46. Connecticut, with an overall score of 13.2
47. Maine, with an overall score of 12.7
48. Washington, with an overall score of 11.6
49. Oregon, with an overall score of 10.6
50. Alaska, with an overall score of 8.4
If your state is not in the top (or bottom) 10, you might be wondering how you stack up. Check out the complete list of ranked states below.
No matter what state you call home, there are some things you can do to make sure your space is ready to host a backyard cookout.
If your yard is a little out of shape, spend some time helping to boost your green factor. Mow and water your yard regularly to ensure your grass always looks its best, and consider seasonal maintenance to help it survive through the tougher seasons and thrive during spring and summer.
In addition to focusing on your grass, consider adding new landscaping elements to help your yard feel private and luxurious.
Whether you’ll be offering chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, or grilled veggies, a top-notch, ready-to-go-grill is a must. If you have a natural gas grill hooked up to your existing line, you won’t have to do anything to get it ready. If your grill runs on propane, you’ll want to check your tank to make sure you don’t run out on the big day.
If your backyard cookout guest list will include kids, consider adding kid-friendly elements like a tree swing, a treehouse, or a backyard playset. These elements will bring built-in fun that allows the adults to enjoy themselves as the kids stay busy playing.
From tiki torches to string lights, you have a variety of options for getting the light you need to help your party stretch long into the night. Be sure the lighting you choose helps enhance the mood you’re trying to create and reduces safety hazards by illuminating any pathways, stairs, or uneven areas on your lawn.
Firepits can add a friendly glow to any celebration and serve as an additional gathering spot for your guests. Add a tray of s’mores ingredients and you’ll have a ready-made dessert bar. If you don’t have a firepit but want to add one before your next backyard cookout, you might be surprised to learn that building a firepit only takes one or two days.
No matter where you live, you can host a great backyard (or rooftop) party. With a little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, you’ll have your friends and family looking forward to your next event!
