From California Post · · 1m
California Tippers Rank Last Nationally
California residents tip least in U.S. survey.
In brief
California residents tip least in U.S. survey. California has the lowest tipping rate at 17.1% per transaction, according to a national study. Originally reported by California Post.
California Tipping Rate
California residents tip 17.1% per transaction, 17.6% for sit-down meals, and 14.8% at counter service restaurants.
National Tipping Ranking
Delaware leads with 21.4% average, while California ranks dead last in a national survey of state tipping habits.
West Coast Tipping Trends
California and Washington both rank among the lowest, with Washington at 17.6% and California at 17.1% per transaction.
Tipping Culture Shift
The average U.S. tip rate dropped to 19.1% in Q2 2026, matching a seven-year low from the same quarter in 2019.
Public Sentiment on Tipping
Tipping sentiment has worsened, with 52% of Americans wanting to abolish tipping by 2022, up from 32% in 2016.
Guilt Tipping
People feel pressure to tip at self-service kiosks and counters, even when no service was performed.
The takeaway
California has the lowest tipping rate at 17.1% per transaction, according to a national study.
