Catering costs: how catering is priced
By TopCaterers editorial team ·
Prices published on TopCaterers
Across the 6 listings that publish a plausible per-person starting price, the median is $38.50 and the middle half fall between $16.75–$88.75.
By type of catering
| Type | Median | Typical | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-off catering | $22 | $15–$100 | 5 |
| Buffet catering | $22 | $15–$100 | 5 |
| Vegetarian catering | $22 | $15–$100 | 5 |
Figures are starting prices per person as published by the caterers themselves, not quotes. Values outside a plausible per-person range are left out. Real prices vary with menu, service style, guest count, date and location.
Price levels of caterers on TopCaterers
1,031 of the 3,644 caterers listed on TopCaterers carry a Google price level. Of those, 69% are rated $$ (moderate), 29% $ (inexpensive) and 3% $$$ or $$$$ (expensive or very expensive).
| Group | Listings with a tier | $ Inexpensive | $$ Moderate | $$$ Expensive | $$$$ Very expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All listings with a tier | 1,031 | 29% | 69% | 2% | 1% |
| American catering | 500 | 23% | 73% | 3% | 1% |
| Corporate catering | 223 | 28% | 70% | 0% | 1% |
| Wedding catering | 188 | 18% | 79% | 2% | 1% |
| Boxed lunch catering | 154 | 31% | 69% | 0% | 0% |
| Sandwich and deli catering | 154 | 56% | 44% | 0% | 0% |
| Full-service catering | 153 | 22% | 73% | 3% | 1% |
| Gluten-free catering | 147 | 22% | 77% | 1% | 0% |
| Dessert and cake catering | 137 | 27% | 73% | 0% | 0% |
| BBQ catering | 113 | 5% | 95% | 0% | 0% |
| Vegetarian catering | 105 | 29% | 71% | 0% | 0% |
| City | Listings with a tier | $ Inexpensive | $$ Moderate | $$$ Expensive | $$$$ Very expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 13 | 15% | 85% | 0% | 0% |
| Morgantown, WV | 13 | 23% | 69% | 8% | 0% |
| Jackson, MS | 12 | 25% | 67% | 8% | 0% |
| Davenport, IA | 11 | 45% | 55% | 0% | 0% |
| Iowa City, IA | 11 | 27% | 64% | 9% | 0% |
| Lincoln, NE | 10 | 40% | 60% | 0% | 0% |
| Manchester, NH | 10 | 20% | 80% | 0% | 0% |
| Rockford, IL | 10 | 20% | 70% | 10% | 0% |
| Toledo, OH | 10 | 20% | 80% | 0% | 0% |
| Warwick, RI | 10 | 20% | 80% | 0% | 0% |
These are price tiers, not dollar amounts. They come from Google, which rates each place on a scale of Inexpensive, Moderate, Expensive and Very Expensive and says the amount each level stands for varies by region; the few places Google marks Free are counted as $ here (Google Places documentation). The level describes the business as a place, not its catering menu specifically. Category rows need at least 25 listings with a tier; a caterer can appear in several categories. Data as of November 11, 2026.
What goes into a catering bill
- Food. Usually priced per person, sometimes per tray or platter. Check which courses, sides, desserts and drinks are included.
- Staff. Servers, chefs, bartenders and a lead, charged by the hour or built into the price. Drop-off has none.
- Rentals and equipment. Plates, cutlery, glassware, linens, tables and warmers, from the caterer, the venue or a rental company.
- Delivery or travel. Often a flat fee or based on distance.
- Service charge. A percentage some caterers add to cover staffing, admin or equipment. It is not always a tip, so ask.
- Tax and gratuity. Check whether tax applies to the service charge too, and whether gratuity is included.
- Minimums. A minimum spend or guest count, especially on popular dates.
What moves the price most
- Service style. Drop-off costs least; buffets add setup and often staff; plated and stationed service add the most labour. See service styles explained.
- Guest count. More guests means more food, and larger events need more staff and equipment.
- Menu. Proteins, seafood and made-to-order dishes cost more than trays of pasta or sandwiches.
- Date and time. Popular weekends and holiday season are in demand; some caterers charge more or set higher minimums then.
- Venue. No kitchen, long load-ins or remote locations add time and equipment.
- Dietary requirements. Separate preparation, certified products or individually packed meals can add cost.
Getting an accurate price
The only reliable number is a quote for your event. Send the same brief to a few caterers and compare the all-in totals line by line, not the per-person headline. Our guide to comparing catering quotes shows how, and the quote form reaches several matching caterers at once.