List of 'Most Expensive' States to Get a Dog Has Some Shockers at the Top

There are a lot of expenses that come with dog ownership. Veterinary bills. Food costs. Boarding fees. Those adorable stuffed squeaky toys at your local pet supply store that your dog will eat in five minutes so then you have to buy him another one.

But even before all that good stuff is the money it takes to acquire a dog to begin with, and where your acquire that dog from. Whether you get him from a breeder, a shelter or as a gift.

Forbes Advisor revealed new data from 10,000 dog owners, with 200 participants from each state, to determine how much it costs to welcome a dog into their family.

Here are some of the findings this survey discovered: 

Nine of the 10 most expensive states to get a dog are located on the East Coast: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Vermont.

Acquiring a dog in one of the top 10 most expensive states costs an average of $555, compared to the national average of $319.

Seven of the 10 least expensive states to get a dog are located in the South: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Related: New Survey Ranks Favorite Dog Breeds by State

Another interesting fact? Nearly one in four (23.8%) dog owners did not pay anything for their dog, as they were gifted their pet or kept a stray. That's the universal dog distribution system at work!

The most expensive state to get a dog? Delaware. The average cost to get a dog in Delaware is $686.68 and only 6% of Delaware dog owners got their dog for free.

The least expensive state to buy a dog? Oklahoma, and that will run you an average of $172.47.

The survey also discovered that most pet parents said that dog food and veterinary care were their most expensive reoccurring expenses.

One of the most disheartening findings of this survey was that most dog owners got their furry friend from a breeder, while the second most common method was adopting from a shelter.

There are so many wonderful reasons to adopt a shelter dog, and you can actually find purebred dogs at shelters if you're willing to be patient and to sometimes drive out of state. With over 3 million dogs entering shelters every year adopting a stray dog is always the best option. Fostering a dog is another wonderful choice, and you can make room in a shelter and see if a dog is a good fit for your family.

You can read all the findings of the Forbes Advisor report here.

If you are interested in adding a dog to your family, please consider visiting your local Humane Society, animal shelter, or animal rescue. It really is the very best way to find a forever friend for your family.

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