Californians revealed as awfully cheap tippers in new national rankings

Golden State diners may be all about sunshine — but when it comes to tipping, they’re leaving servers in the shade.California diners tipped less than any other state in the nation, according to a new report that ranked the Bear Flag State dead last in restaurant generosity.The state’s overall tip rate came in at 17.3%, about 1.5 percentage points below the national average of 18.8%, according to Toast’s Q1 2026 Restaurant Tipping Trends report.That means Cali’s customers were the biggest wallet squeezers at the table — at least when it comes to card and digital payments tracked by the restaurant technology company.Toast analyzed aggregated tip transactions from restaurants using its platform, which serves roughly 171,000 locations nationwide.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The report did not include cash tips, meaning the findings don’t capture every dollar diners may have slipped servers under the table.Still, California couldn’t catch a break in either major category.At full-service restaurants, where diners are typically expected to tip more generously, the state’s customers left an average 17.7% tip — compared with the national average of 19.3%.At quick-service restaurants, Golden State diners tipped just 14.8%, trailing the national average of 15.8%.Nationwide, tipping habits have remained relatively steady over the past two years, with full-service restaurant tips hovering between 19.1% and 19.4% and quick-service tips holding around 15.8% to 16%, according to Toast.But before West Coast diners get branded as the nation’s biggest penny-pinchers, there’s more than meets the receipt. Industry observers say California’s lower tip numbers may have less to do with stinginess and more to do with its unique restaurant...