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Hanger, the phenomenon where hunger leads to anger, is a genuine issue that many face today. It can hit you unexpectedly, leaving you feeling irritated with the world and your stomach growling. Whether it’s the vending machine being out of your favorite snack or a meeting scheduled during lunch, hanger can disrupt your workday.
When you’re feeling hangry, your coworkers might seem more irritating, and your productivity can plummet. To identify where in the U.S. hanger is most prevalent, we analyzed various data. Read on to discover the states that are in dire need of a snack break.
Hangriest States of 2026
Continue reading to discover what makes these states the hangriest and how we turned hanger into a data-driven analysis.
How We Determined This
Each state was ranked based on the following criteria:
- Fast food establishments per capita
- Number of Walmarts
- Search volume for “hanger”
- Workplace break laws in each state
- Percentage of adults with diabetes
We started by assessing access to fast food, which can help stave off hanger. We ranked each state by the number of fast food restaurants per capita using data from Datafiniti. Fewer fast food outlets indicate less access to convenient meals, which correlates with higher levels of hanger.
Next, we evaluated the number of Walmarts in each state, known for offering affordable food options.
Convenience is vital, but so is having the time to eat. To gauge where workers have the worst lunch breaks, we referenced Paycor’s guide on workplace break laws. States with stronger regulations provide more opportunities for workers to combat hanger.
We also analyzed search volume for “hanger” in each state. If someone is searching for solutions to hanger, they are often feeling the effects of it.
Lastly, we looked at diabetes rates, as this condition can lead to hanger due to hypoglycemia. Using CDC data, we noted the percentage of each state’s adult population diagnosed with diabetes.
1. Maine
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 3.1
Walmarts: 25
Adults With Diabetes: 10.60%
Despite Maine having relatively favorable workplace break laws, residents often find themselves craving snacks. The state has fewer fast food options and big box stores, leading to a higher number of Google searches for “hanger.”
2. Mississippi
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 2.1
Walmarts: 86
Adults With Diabetes: 14.80%
Mississippi has no laws mandating lunch breaks, which means long shifts can lead to hangry workers. Additionally, with 14.8% of the adult population living with diabetes, it’s no wonder residents frequently search for solutions to their hunger-induced irritation.
3. Alaska
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 2.6
Walmarts: 9
Adults With Diabetes: 7.30%
While Alaska has strong break laws for minors, adults lack protections. Limited food options can make it challenging for workers to alleviate hanger during their minimal breaks.
4. Vermont
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 1.9
Walmarts: 6
Adults With Diabetes: 8.70%
Vermont has laws that require employers to provide a “reasonable opportunity” for meals, but the definition is vague, and food options may be limited, leaving many residents searching for relief from hanger.
5. South Dakota
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 4.3
Walmarts: 17
Adults With Diabetes: 10.60%
South Dakota ranks fifth due to the absence of laws ensuring lunch breaks for workers, contributing to increased hanger levels.
6. Idaho
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 3.8
Walmarts: 27
Adults With Diabetes: 10.30%
Idaho has fewer Walmarts compared to many states, and with only 3.8 fast food restaurants per 10,000 residents, it faces its own challenges in combating hanger.
7. West Virginia
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 5.3
Walmarts: 44
Adults With Diabetes: 15.70%
With 15.7% of West Virginians diagnosed with diabetes, the state faces significant challenges regarding hanger. The presence of fast food joints does not alleviate the issue.
8. Oregon
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 3.6
Walmarts: 46
Adults With Diabetes: 8.60%
Oregon ranks eighth, indicating a significant presence of hanger, as evidenced by their frequent online searches for solutions.
9. Montana
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 3.8
Walmarts: 16
Adults With Diabetes: 7.60%
Montana lacks laws ensuring workers can take breaks to eat, contributing to higher hanger levels among its workforce.
10. Rhode Island
Fast Food Joints Per 10K Residents: 2.5
Walmarts: 9
Adults With Diabetes: 10.40%
Rhode Island rounds out the top ten hangriest states. While 1 in 10 residents has diabetes, they are at least guaranteed a lunch break if they work 6 or more hours.
Feed Your Brain, Fight The Hanger
Regular, energy-boosting meals can significantly reduce hunger and its associated irritability. Consider stocking your workspace with healthy snacks such as granola bars and nuts to help maintain your composure during long meetings.
Not in the top 10? Check out the hunger levels across all 50 states below:
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | Maine |
| 2 | Mississippi |
| 3 | Alaska |
| 4 | Vermont |
| 5 | South Dakota |
| 6 | Idaho |
| 7 | West Virginia |
| 8 | Oregon |
| 9 | Montana |
| 10 | Rhode Island |
| 11 | North Dakota |
| 12 | Washington |
| 13 | Connecticut |
| 14 | Louisiana |
| 15 | Utah |
| 16 | Wyoming |
| 17 | New Hampshire |
| 18 | Kentucky |
| 19 | New Mexico |
| 20 | Hawaii |
| 21 | Minnesota |
| 22 | New York |
| 23 | Massachusetts |
| 24 | Iowa |
| 25 | Delaware |
| 26 | Nebraska |
| 27 | Arkansas |
| 28 | Maryland |
| 29 | Pennsylvania |
| 30 | Kansas |
| 31 | Wisconsin |
| 32 | Arizona |
| 33 | Tennessee |
| 34 | Alabama |
| 35 | New Jersey |
| 36 | South Carolina |
| 37 | Virginia |
| 38 | Colorado |
| 39 | Michigan |
| 40 | Nevada |
| 41 | Florida |
| 42 | Indiana |
| 43 | Ohio |
| 44 | Oklahoma |
| 45 | Texas |
| 46 | California |
| 47 | North Carolina |
| 48 | Missouri |
| 49 | Georgia |
| 50 | Illinois |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
