Cigarette Prices By State

Cigarette prices vary widely across the United States given tax structures, regional policies, and brand variation. In 2025, the average price of a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $9.74, ranging from a high of $14.55 in New York to a low of $7.95 in North Carolina.

Variations in the pack of cigarettes cost are primarily driven by state excise taxes, which range from $5.35 per pack in New York to $0.17 in Missouri.

According to a 2015 study by Sharma et. al, cigarette pricing significantly impacts consumption patterns, with studies indicating that a 10% increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by approximately 7% and overall smoking by 4%. This could explain why northeastern states have strategically leveraged this price sensitivity by implementing higher taxes to both generate revenue and reduce smoking rates, while southeastern states, many with historical ties to tobacco production, maintain lower taxes.

Brand is another factor in cigarette pricing, with premium brands typically costing more than generic options. Differences in quality, packaging, and consumer perception influence brand value, contributing to cigarette price variation across states

Our data comes from a January 2025 study by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which reports the current average prices for a standard pack of 20 cigarettes across major national brands.

Cigarette prices vary significantly across states due to two variable tax components, representing a substantial portion of the retail price:

• State Excise Tax: A specific tax imposed directly on cigarettes that varies between states.
• State Sales Tax: The general sales tax that applies to retail purchases, which some states don't apply to cigarettes.

All cigarettes also have a federal tax that does not contribute to the variation from state to state:

• Federal Tax: A consistent $1.01 federal excise tax applied on every pack sold nationwide.

Tax as a percentage of total price

The proportion of cigarette prices attributable to taxes varies by state:

For the average smoker, these price differences translate to significant financial impacts. Someone who smokes one pack daily would spend about $2,750 annually in Missouri but over $5,140 in New York, a difference of nearly $2,400 per year based only on location.

State Excise Taxes

As of 2025, the average state cigarette tax is $1.97 per pack, but rates vary from state to state. The average state excise tax ranges from as high as $5.35 in New York to as low as $0.17 in Missouri. Therefore, state excise taxes are the main difference between the prices of cigarette packets.

States with the highest cigarette excise taxes

Northeastern states lead with the highest cigarette rates, often using tax revenues to fund smoking cessation and prevention initiatives.

States with the lowest cigarette excise taxes

Southern states generally maintain low tobacco taxes due to tobacco industry influence, cross-border sales advantages, and agricultural interests.

Cigarette Prices by Brand

Beyond state-by-state variations, cigarette prices also differ significantly by brand tier. According to Tobacco Insider, Malboro is the best-selling cigarette brand in the US since 1972. However, the deep-discount segment has grown in recent years, accounting for over 30% of U.S. cigarette sales. Montego, in particular, has emerged as a major player, becoming the fourth-largest brand overall with a 4.3% market share.

The market is divided into three distinct price segments:

Premium brands

Most expensive and widely recognized, these brands are known for consistent quality. They are produced by major companies like Philip Morris (Altria) and Reynolds American. Popular brands include Marlboro, Newport, Camel, and Natural American Spirit. In heavily taxed states, prices can reach $15 per pack. The national average is around $9.60 per pack.

Value-priced brands

Positioned as quality alternatives at moderate prices, these brands offer modest savings with prices 20–30% lower than premium brands. Their common brands include Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, and Maverick. Average prices range from $5.50 to $7.00 per pack, depending on state taxes.

Deep-discount brands

The cheapest options, this category are often produced by smaller companies or for private labels and are typically found in low-tax states. Popular choices include Montego, Sonoma, Montclair, Crowns, LD, and Cheyenne. Prices usually range from $3 to $5 per pack.

States in the Northeast and West Coast regions have higher cigarette costs due to the implementation of tobacco control policies and the imposition of taxes aimed at reducing smoking rates related to public health initiatives.

Top 10 states with the most expensive cigarettes per pack

New York has the highest cigarette prices, with an average of $14.55 per pack, driven by its $5.35 excise tax. Maryland is the 2nd state with the most expensive cigarettes, with an average price of $14.17, after implementing a $3.00 tax increase in 2024. DC ranks 3rd with an average cigarette price of $13.94. Rhode Island has the 4th most expensive cigarettes in US at $13.43 per pack. Connecticut rounds out the top five with an average cigarette cost of $13.24 per pack. Massachusetts has the 6th most expensive cigarettes with an average price of $12.54 per pack. Alaska ranks 7th with an average cigarette price of $12.37 per pack. Hawaii and Washington tie for 8th place, both with an average cigarette cost of $12.13. Minnesota completes the top 10 with an average cigarette price of $12.10 per pack.

States with lower cigarette prices generally have historical economic ties to tobacco farming (many of which are located in the Southeast), political resistance, concerns about international sales to neighboring states, and sometimes a lower overall cost of living.

Top 10 states with the cheapest cigarettes per pack

North Carolina has the cheapest cigarettes at $7.95 per pack, reflecting its history as a major tobacco-producing state with $0.45 excise tax. Missouri ranks 2nd with an average cigarette cost of $8.03 per pack and the lowest cigarette tax in the country, $0.17 per pack (unchanged since 1993). North Dakota has the 3rd cheapest cigarette price of $8.24 per pack. Mississippi comes in 4th place with an average cigarette price of $8.33 per pack. Georgia follows as the 5th state with the cheapest cigarettes, with an average cigarette cost of $8.47 per pack. Tennessee has the 6th cheapest cigarettes with an average price of $8.44 per pack. Alabama ranks 7th with an average cigarette price of $8.48 per pack. South Carolina is the 8th state with the cheapest cigarettes at an average price of $8.50 per pack. Nebraska ranks 9th with an average cigarette price of $8.56 per pack. Wyoming rounds out the 10 states with the cheapest cigarettes, with an average cigarette price of $8.57 per pack.