Best Places To DoorDash (Top 2024 DoorDash Cities & States)
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If you’re a DoorDash driver or are looking to sign up for the platform, knowing the best places to DoorDash is one of the hacks that can help you significantly boost your earnings.
One of the advantages of the platform is you can DoorDash in another state, so you can test other zones to see how busy they are.
In this post, I’ll cover 11 of the best DoorDash cities and states to help you position yourself strategically so you can make a living with DoorDash.
The Best Places To DoorDash
Delivery driving jobs like DoorDash are one of the best weekend side hustles to make extra cash. But if you don’t know the best places to do DoorDash, you may get a few orders often.
Below is a list of DoorDash cities and states you should consider to make the most out of this driving gig.
1. San Francisco, California
As one of the most populated states in the US, it’s no surprise that California is one of the best places to DoorDash.
In addition to the high population, DoorDash is based in San Fransisco, so it has the largest market share in the city, at 74%, with 3,454 restaurants on the platform.
The high cost of living in San Francisco also means restaurants charge higher food prices, which translates to higher pay for Dashers.
Another significant factor that makes San Francisco a great place to DoorDash is Prop 22, an initiative that was passed in 2020 to ensure fair compensation and better working conditions for independent contractors, such as delivery drivers.
Based on DoorDash data, Prop 22 resulted in Dashers in California markers making 28% to 32% more in 2021 than the previous year.
2. Houston, Texas
Texas is another great state for Dashers, mainly due to its large population. With over 32 million people, getting DoorDash orders should be easy.
In large cities like Houston, with over 900 restaurants on the DoorDash app, you can make a decent income on the platform, especially when you choose the perfect times to DoorDash.
Aside from the massive population, Texas is great place to DoorDash because there’s no state income tax, and the cost of living is not as high as states like California.
Besides, Texas is rich in gas, so fuel is cheaper than the national average. Since DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas or other expenses, this can significantly affect your earnings. So, paying less for fuel means you get to keep more of your income.
Other big DoorDash markets in Texas include San Antonio and Dallas.
3. Phoenix, Arizona
Next on our list of best places to DoorDash is Phoenix, Arizona.
Phoenix has over 1,000 restaurants on the DoorDash platform, and top drivers make up to $40 an hour.
Another major factor that makes Arizona a great state to DoorDash in is the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, or Arizona Proposition 206, similar to California’s Proposition 22.
The Act raises the state’s minimum wage to $13.85 and provides wage protection to people who drive for money and other gig economy jobs.
So, as a Dasher in Arizona, you’re guaranteed at least $13.85 per hour, and the average hourly earnings in Phoenix is $21 an hour.
Phoenix is one of many busy cities for DoorDash deliveries in Arizona. Mesa, Tucson, and Chandler are also the best DoorDash cities.
The company has even opened a convenience store, Dashmart, in Tuscon, providing more opportunities for Dashers.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is another popular market for Dashers. DoorDash has a 37% market share in the city, ahead of other platforms like Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates.
While the city is populous and busy, it has a cap on fees charged by third-party delivery services. For this reason, DoorDash fees must not exceed 15%.
In most cases, the customers have to pay more for food since they don’t pay much in delivery fees. Additionally, customers are more likely to tip more because delivery fees are relatively low.
Chicago has over 800 restaurants on the DoorDash platform, and other popular suburbs within the city also have hundreds of restaurants.
You can experiment with different zones to determine the busiest places to work within Illinois.
5. Georgia
Another great place to do DoorDash deliveries is Georgia. The state has large cities like Atlanta, Augusta, and Macon, with Atlanta alone having over 1,200 restaurants on the platform.
DoorDash has a 46% market share in Atlanta, giving Uber Eats and other delivery platforms a run for their money.
Georgia’s highly populated cities and the growth of DoorDash’s market share over the past few years guarantee busy delivery markets for Dashers.
Based on data from salary review sites like Glassdoor, Dashers in Atlanta earn $21 an hour on average.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia has over 1.5 million people and more than 2,600 restaurants on the DoorDash platform, making it an excellent place for Dashers.
DoorDash has a 50% market share in the city and is the most popular food delivery service, followed closely by Grubhub.
If you live in or near Philadelphia, consider Dashing there to boost your income.
While DoorDash currently has the larger market share, Grubhub is still a fierce competitor. You can try delivering for both apps to see which one’s better and to maximize your working hours.
7. Washington DC
It’s no surprise that the nation’s capital is one of the best places to DoorDash.
Washington, DC, has over 2,000 restaurants in the DoorDash delivery network, so Dashers will likely get regular orders.
Workers in DC are guaranteed a minimum wage of $17 per hour, and experienced Dashers make over $35 per hour.
Even in busy markets, there may be slow DoorDash days, so it’s important to have strategies to boost your income.
The more experience you have as a Dasher, the easier it is to make more money because you’re familiar with the market.
8. New York City, New York
New York City is one of the best states to DoorDash, mainly due to the massive population. Additionally, DoorDash has a significant market share in the city, with over 7,000 restaurants on the platform.
Like Chicago’s cap on delivery fees, the New York City Council passed a 15% cap on third-party deliveries.
The city also has laws in place to increase the minimum wage to $16 per hour and improve working conditions for gig workers like DoorDash delivery drivers.
New York City is also great for Dashers who deliver via bike. If you’re a bike courier, NYC provides a great opportunity.
Considering how heavy the traffic gets, it’s easier to get around on a bike. Plus, you’ll get to save on gas expenses and exercise as you work.
9. Florida
Florida is another state to consider when looking for the best places to do DoorDash. Although Uber Eats is more popular than DoorDash in Florida, DoorDash is a close second.
Urban areas like Orlando and Miami are particularly great for Dashers. In Miami, DoorDash has a 31% market share, and the population density leads to more orders.
You should also consider the fact that Florida is a tourist destination. The demand for food delivery tends to increase during peak tourist seasons, and you can take advantage of it as a Dasher.
Do your research on specific markets within Florida and talk to other DoorDash drivers on platforms like Reddit to find the busiest markets to work in.
10. Michigan
Michigan may not come to mind as one of the best states to DoorDash, but given that it’s one of the most populated states, it can be a pretty lucrative choice for Dashers and other gig workers.
It’s a good idea to stick to the major cities like Detroit or Lansing, which have hundreds of restaurants on the DoorDash platform.
Working in a busy city with a large market improves your chances of getting consistent orders, unlike smaller towns where the orders may be fewer and far between.
As with other places on this list, it’s beneficial to experiment with different markets within the state to determine DoorDash hotspots with higher earning potentials.
11. Boston, Massachusetts
The urban population and vibrant food scene in Boston make it one of the best cities to DoorDash. The city has a 35% market share, competing with other platforms like Uber Eats and Grubhub.
While the dense population may translate to a higher volume of orders, it also depends on the specific market.
Some neighborhoods have more consistent order demand than others, so it may take a bit of experimenting to find the best markets.
Plus, the high number of delivery drivers often leads to high competition for orders, so it’s important to understand all the dynamics of your market.
One way to increase your earnings significantly is to use multiple driving apps simultaneously.
What Are Other Dashers Saying?
One way to determine the best places to DoorDash is to see what other Dashers have to say.
You can join online communities like Reddit, where Dashers share tips to boost their income and discuss challenges facing them.
Here are some of the comments from Dashers on Reddit regarding the best states and cities to DoorDash:
- Mhavas703 says: “The best town in the United States to dash in is Bannack, Montana. Very little competition with other drivers and I make about $400/day.”
- PatHenrysGhost says: “Almost anywhere in NY, University district of Columbus Ohio and Old Saybrook Connecticut.”
- Expizzaguy says: “The best area I’ve ever seen is Monticello, KY.”
Most Dashers agree that large cities with significant populations and a vibrant food scene are great for Dashing.
Some Dashers also recommend going to cities where the competition isn’t as high, as they tend to be overlooked.
It may take some time to find the perfect place before you start making decent money with DoorDash.
It’s important to consider DoorDash’s overall market share when signing up for the platform.
While it’s the leading food delivery platform in North America, there are cities and states where other food delivery platforms have larger market shares.
Uber Eats and Grubhub are two of DoorDash’s biggest competitors, so it’s important to check the data so you can make an informed decision.
The more market share a platform has, the more customers it has, which translates to a higher order volume and increased potential earnings.
Fortunately, DoorDash has the largest market share in the US, at 65%, according to Statista.
The growth of DoorDash is mostly attributed to its partnership with major brands like Chick-fil-A, as well as expansion into rural areas and partnerships with local businesses.
The introduction of the DashPass subscription, which allows members to get unlimited free deliveries from eligible merchants, has helped the platform claim more customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Areas Are Busy for DoorDash?
The busiest areas for DoorDash are typically large cities with an urban population. You’ll find hotspots within these cities, where there are many popular restaurants that DoorDash customers order from.
What Are the Best Places to DoorDash Near Me?
You can find the best places to DoorDash near you by checking for DoorDash hotspots in your Dasher app.
The heat map indicates the areas near you with the highest demand. Sometimes, this is accompanied by Peak Pay, used as an incentive when there’s high demand and few Dashers.
Does Location Matter for DoorDash?
Yes. Location matters for DoorDash because some areas are inarguably busier and, therefore, better for Dashers. The selection of restaurants in a location also determines your earning potential as a Dasher.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, my guide on the best places to DoorDash will help you make an informed decision about where to Dash so you can increase your earnings on the platform.
Even with this information, it’s still important to conduct your own experiments to determine the DoorDash hotspots within your city with the highest earning potential.
It may take some time, but you’ll increase your earnings at the end of the day. Finally, you should consider using multiple delivery apps simultaneously to boost your income.
