New York is the third most costly state for smoking in the United States, according to a new WalletHub study.
While smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, and tobacco use is responsible for almost half a million deaths in the U.S. every year, according to WalletHub, the economic impacts are just as detrimental.
Smoking costs the United States over $600 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity, according to WalletHub.
“Buying cigarettes for your entire adult life can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that number pales in comparison to the hidden costs of smoking,” WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said. “Over a lifetime, smokers lose out on millions of dollars they could have made if they’d invested the money they spent on tobacco.”
To determine the most costly states for smoking, WalletHub analyzed the per-person cost of smoking across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study also analyzed the potential lifetime and annual costs of smoking, examining the annual cost of a cigarette pack per day to health care expenditures, income losses and other costs associated with smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Here’s what to know about New York’s ranking.
Why is NY among the most costly states for smoking?
New York ranks as the third most expensive state in the U.S. for smoking, with the average lifetime cost reaching $5,788,994, according to the study. Of that total, only $254,916 is spent directly on tobacco products.
The state also has the highest financial opportunity cost — the money smokers could have earned if they had invested instead of spending on cigarettes. WalletHub estimates that about $255,000 spent on cigarettes translates to $4,465,318 in lost investment returns.
Additional lifetime costs for smokers in New York include $319,581 in health care expenses, $8,700 in higher home insurance premiums and $730,754 in lost income, the study found.
WalletHub’s 10 most costly states for smoking
WalletHub’s 10 least costly states for smoking
How WalletHub assessed costliness of smoking per state
To determine the annual and lifetime impact smoking has on finances by state. WalletHub analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia by calculating the potential monetary losses of smoking. WalletHub looked at:
Data used to create the ranking was collected as of Dec. 17, 2025, and the information was sourced from multiple entities, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Insurance Information Institute and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
— Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Smoking in NY could cost you nearly $6 million, new study finds
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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