July 19. 2025
New York Post recently published an article featuring Jay Zagorsky, Clinical Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law, discussing a 2025 BLogic Systems study showing that high-income states like New York, New Jersey, and California rank among the worst tippers, not due to low tip percentages, but because their generosity falls short relative to income.
New Yorkers and New Jerseyans may tip around 19%, but their generosity ranks low when adjusted for income. California fared worst at 17.8%, while lower-income states like West Virginia and Kentucky led with tips over 20%. The study also reflects widespread tipping fatigue, especially in high-wage areas like New York, where servers earn about $22 an hour. Still, as Boston University economist Jay Zagorsky points out, tip amounts can be substantial even at lower percentages:
“A 19% tip on a $100 New York City meal is a much larger [dollar amount] than a 21% tip on a similar meal costing $50 in the heartland. Any waiter or bartender good at math should love a 1 or 2 percent reduction in exchange for a bill that is 35% higher,” Zagorsky adds.
Big earners in big cities may tip more in dollars, but when it comes to generosity adjusted for income, rural diners are far more giving.
