(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Hoosiers spend less on alcohol than most Americans, but binge drinking rates across northern Indiana remain similar to those in higher-cost states, according to new data. Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show Alaska ranked highest in alcohol spending last year at about $1,250 per person, while Indiana ranked near the bottom at roughly $751 per capita. Beer prices account for part of the difference, with a case of Bud Light costing more than $33 in Anchorage compared to less than $17 in Indianapolis. Despite lower costs, local health departments report similar binge drinking rates. The Steuben County Health Department says 19 percent of residents drank to excess at least once this year, with nearby counties reporting comparable numbers. Health officials say factors such as access to alcohol, social norms, and population density play a larger role than price alone.
Indiana Alcohol Spending Low, Binge Drinking Steady
By: Charlotte Burke •
December 31, 2025 • Washington, D.C.
