How much does smoking cost in Texas? (2026)
$10.04
average pack in Texas (Jan 2026), #26 most expensive of 51. State excise $1.41 + federal $1.01.
$3,665a year for a pack a day
5.2%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$47,235roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Texas prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $26,312 | $55,629 |
| 2006 | $45,420 | $180,056 |
| 1996 | $56,087 | $285,549 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Texas
| 1970 | $0.42 |
| 1980 | $0.67 |
| 1990 | $1.74 |
| 2000 | $3.11 |
| 2010 | $5.64 |
| 2020 | $6.37 |
| 2026 | $10.04 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Texas, 9.2% of adults smoke, down from 19.2% in 2011. 21.5% are former smokers: more people in Texas have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.