Every fall, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) returns — cozy, frothy, and a little indulgent.

But depending on where you live, that cup of fall magic can take just 9 minutes of work… or more than an hour to afford.

Supreme Whip analyzed PSL prices, minimum wages, and average hourly wages across the U.S. to find how long workers must labor for a latte. The result? A revealing look at America’s economic flavors.

What the Data Measures

For every state, we looked at:

• Average PSL price (in a major city)
• State minimum wage & average hourly wage
• Minutes of work needed to earn one PSL

The ranking shows which states can “earn” a PSL fastest — and which take the longest.

Top 5 States Where PSLs Are the Least Affordable

Indiana • Louisiana • Oklahoma • Mississippi • Kansas

The Most Expensive States for a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Some states make you work a little harder for your fall favorite. At the top of the list is Indiana, where a PSL costs $8.34 — that’s 69 minutes of minimum-wage work for one latte. Despite a low cost of living, Indiana’s frozen $7.25 minimum wage keeps the PSL out of easy reach.

Next is Louisiana, where New Orleans’ café prices and high service costs push PSLs to $7.70, followed by Oklahoma at $7.55, where wages lag behind inflation. Mississippi and Kansas round out the top five, both with PSLs around $7.36 and similar wage challenges.

What ties these states together? Each relies on the federal minimum wage without a state increase, meaning workers spend over an hour earning their seasonal treat. Add in rising supply costs and taxes, and that cozy cup of pumpkin spice becomes more of a splurge than a staple.

Why It Takes Longer Here

Even though PSL prices in these states look average, the real problem is pay.

1. Low Wages, Flat Growth
• These states rank below national averages for hourly earnings.
• Most still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, unchanged since 2009.
• That means slower income growth while national prices (including coffee) keep rising.
  
2. Tax Systems That Don’t Help Low Earners
• Most of these states have flat or regressive income taxes, which hit low earners harder relative to income.
  • Indiana: 3.15% flat income tax.
  • Mississippi: 4.4% above $10,000 income.
  • Oklahoma: 0.25–4.75% bracketed tax.
• Even though these aren’t the highest tax states, flat systems mean low-income workers keep proportionally less than in more progressive systems.
3. High Sales Taxes
• Louisiana and Oklahoma rank among the top five states for combined state and local sales tax (9%+).
• That means your PSL’s sticker price jumps higher at the register.
4. Lower Cost of Living Doesn’t Equal Higher Purchasing Power
• Rent and groceries may be cheaper, but low wages erase those advantages.
• A $7.50 latte in a $28/hour economy feels more expensive than an $8 latte in a $50/hour one.
5. Slow Wage Growth After Inflation
   • According to BLS data, wage growth in these regions has lagged behind inflation since 2020, meaning workers effectively earn less real income each year.

So even with “average” PSL prices, low wages, flat taxes, and high sales taxes stretch those minutes further.Even with "average" Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) prices, the combined impact of low wages, flat taxes, and high sales taxes extends the time required to earn one.

The 5 Fastest States to Earn a PSL

Washington, D.C. • California • Massachusetts • Washington (State) • Connecticut

The Most Affordable States for a Pumpkin Spice Latte

On the other end of the spectrum, some states make enjoying a PSL almost effortless. California and Connecticut tie for the most affordable, with lattes around $6.25–$6.45. Thanks to higher minimum wages — both above $16 per hour — it takes workers less than 25 minutes to earn one.

Close behind are Washington, D.C., and Washington State, where strong local wages ($16.66–$17.50/hour) mean residents can afford a PSL in about 25 minutes or less. Even with slightly higher drink prices, the boosted income keeps the treat within easy reach.

Alaska rounds out the top five. With an average wage of $36.57 per hour, Anchorage residents spend almost no measurable time working for their seasonal fix — making the PSL a true everyday indulgence.

These high-wage states prove that it’s not just the price of the drink that matters — it’s the balance between wages and living costs that determines how sweet your sip really is.

Why PSLs Feel “Cheaper” in High-Wage States

It might surprise you — PSLs actually cost more in these states in raw dollars, but they take less time to earn.

Here’s why:

1. Higher Minimum and Average Wages
   • D.C.: $17.50/hr minimum wage — the nation’s highest.
   • California: $16.00/hr state minimum wage (higher in many cities).
   • Washington: $16.66/hr.
   • These states push wages up with strong worker protections and union presence, shortening the “minutes to PSL” dramatically.
2. Progressive Tax Systems
   • Unlike flat-tax states, higher earners pay more, and lower earners keep more of what they make.
   • Massachusetts recently adopted a “millionaire’s tax,” easing the burden on the middle class.
   • California’s top rates are high, but effective tax rates for average workers stay reasonable.
     
3. Higher Cost of Living, But Higher Pay Too
   • Businesses in these areas must pay higher wages to compete for talent.
   • Even though a PSL might cost $8 in Los Angeles, it’s still “cheaper in time” than a $7 latte in Indiana.
4. Economic Clustering
   • Wealthier, denser metro areas (like D.C., Seattle, and Boston) have a concentration of high-paying jobs that lift local averages.
5. Federal Taxes Apply Everywhere
   • The federal tax rate is the same across states. What matters is state and local taxes — and higher-earning states still have more disposable income after those taxes.

In short, it’s not about the latte — it’s about leverage.
People in these states earn more per minute, so they spend fewer minutes buying the same thing.

The Big Takeaway

The time it takes to afford a PSL isn’t just about what it costs — it’s a mirror for local economies, tax structures, and who actually benefits from wage growth.

Whip Your Own PSL at Home

At Supreme Whip, we love the science of indulgence — and you don’t need D.C. wages to treat yourself.

With our cream chargers and whipped cream dispensers, you can make your own pumpkin-spiced lattes, espresso drinks, or desserts at home — no line, no tax shock, no waiting an hour to afford it.

Whip smarter. Sip happier.

Full data can be found below: