How Much Would You Pay to See Your Favorite Artists Live?

BetMGM Feb 07, 2025, 2:30 PM

min read

A header image for a blog about Americans’ willingness to pay to see their favorite artist live.

For music fans, some concerts are more than just events — they’re bucket-list experiences. Whether it’s the chance to see their all-time favorite band live or the dream of witnessing a legendary artist from the past, some fans will go to extreme lengths to make it happen. From shelling out big bucks for tickets to traveling across the country, the price of a dream concert can be steep — but just how much are people actually willing to pay?

To find out, we surveyed over 3,000 Americans about how much they’d spend on one ticket to see their favorite artist—living or deceased—live in concert. We broke down the data by artist, state, and genre to uncover which artists command the highest prices, which states are home to the biggest spenders, and just how far fans will go for the ultimate concert experience.

The 20 Artists–Living and Deceased–That Fans Would Pay the Most to See Live

Some artists aren’t just performers — they’re cultural icons who command jaw-dropping ticket prices. Whether they’re still packing arenas or have left behind an enduring legacy, these musicians inspire fans to dig deep into their wallets for the chance to see them live.

Top 5 Living Artists Fans Would Pay the Most to See

Post Malone – $625.00
BTS – $598.18
Taylor Swift – $595.93
Drake – $584.78
Kanye West – $490.63

Post Malone takes the top spot, with fans willing to pay an average of $625 for a ticket to his show. The genre-blending star has cemented himself as a must-see performer, known for his high-energy sets and emotional crowd interactions. Right behind him is BTS at $598.18, whose dedicated global fanbase, ARMY, is no stranger to selling out arenas within minutes. Despite the group being on hiatus due to military service, their demand remains sky-high, proving that their impact extends far beyond their active touring years.

Taylor Swift, one of the most dominant touring artists of all time, lands at #3 with an average price of $595.93. While impressive, this is still far below the actual average price of witnessing the Eras Tour, which had average ticket prices exceeding $1,000. Drake and Kanye West round out the top five, with fans willing to pay nearly $500 or more to see these rap icons perform live. Whether it’s Drake’s catalog of chart-topping hits—rap battle feuds with Kendrick Lamar aside—or Kanye’s unpredictable and theatrical performances, their ability to command top-dollar pricing remains undeniable.

Top 5 Deceased Artists Fans Would Pay the Most to See

Jimi Hendrix – $963.48
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) – $962.96
Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) – $961.11
The Beatles – $903.59
Elvis Presley – $842.70

If money weren’t an issue and time travel were possible, Americans would pay nearly $1,000 to witness some of the greatest artists in history take the stage one more time. Topping the list is Jimi Hendrix, whose electric guitar prowess and iconic Woodstock performance have left fans longing for an encore that will never come. Right behind him is Kurt Cobain, the voice of a generation, with Nirvana fans willing to pay nearly the same price to see the grunge icon perform again in concert.

Deadheads have also made their voices (and wallets) heard, with Jerry Garcia ranking #3. Known for his mesmerizing improvisations and deep connection with fans, the Grateful Dead frontman remains an artist people would pay nearly $961 to see live. The Beatles and Elvis Presley round out the list, proving their influence on music and culture is as strong as ever. Whether it’s Beatlemania or the enduring legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, fans would still pay premium prices for the chance to experience their performances.

Mapping Out America’s Biggest Concert Spenders by State

Music fans aren’t just passionate about their favorite artists — they’re willing to put their money where their ears are. While concert prices fluctuate based on demand, geography, and availability, some states stand out for their willingness to pay top dollar for a ticket.

Top 5 States Willing to Pay the Most to See Their Favorite Living Artist

California – $517.62
Oregon – $411.08
Maryland – $375.18
Iowa – $366.33
Washington – $365.31

It’s no surprise that California leads the way in concert spending, with fans willing to pay an average of $517.62 for a ticket to see their favorite artist live. As home to Hollywood, Coachella, and some of the biggest music venues in the world, Californians have long embraced live music culture and are no strangers to premium ticket prices. Oregon follows closely behind, proving that the Pacific Northwest isn’t just about grunge nostalgia — it’s also home to fans willing to shell out over $400 to see their favorite living artist.

Rounding out the top five are Maryland, Iowa, and Washington, each with concertgoers ready to spend well above the national average. Whether it’s the draw of big-city shows on the East Coast or the love of live music in smaller states like Iowa, one thing is clear: fans in these states won’t hesitate to pay for a top-tier performance.

Top 5 States Willing to Pay the Most to See Their Favorite Deceased Artist

Oregon – $1,213.43
Kentucky – $1,122.65
California – $1,083.97
Nevada – $966.56
Mississippi – $950.20

If resurrection concerts were a thing, Oregon fans would be front and center. The state leads the nation in willingness to pay for a dream ticket to see a deceased artist live, with fans ready to drop an astounding $1,213.43 on average. Kentucky follows closely behind at $1,122.65, proving that music history and nostalgia are deeply ingrained in the state’s culture.

California once again secures a top spot, showing that whether an artist is alive or passed on, the Golden State remains the epicenter of big-ticket concerts. Nevada and Mississippi round out the list, which isn’t too surprising given Nevada’s reputation as a hub for high-roller entertainment and Mississippi’s deep ties to Delta blues and rock history.

The Premium of an After-Life Concert

The numbers reveal a striking trend: Americans are willing to pay more than double to see their favorite deceased artist perform than they would for their favorite living one. On average, fans would shell out $582.40 for a ticket to see an artist from the past, compared to $284.09 for a currently living artist. Whether it’s the unattainability factor, the legendary status of artists who left too soon, or the pure magic of imagining an impossible concert, the dream of witnessing a music icon live is clearly worth the price.

Beyond the Ticket Price: The Real Cost of Seeing a Favorite Artist Live

For some music fans, seeing their favorite artist live is a serious financial commitment. Whether it’s spending hundreds on a ticket, booking flights, or even going into debt, some concertgoers will go to extreme lengths to make their dream show a reality.

Rap and Pop Fans Will Pay the Most for a Ticket

Not all music fans spend equally. On average, rap and hip-hop fans lead the pack, willing to spend $406.25 to see their favorite living artist in concert. Pop fans aren’t far behind, with an average spending of $393.59 per ticket. These numbers reflect the high demand for artists in these genres, from chart-topping rappers to pop superstars with record-breaking tours.

Millennials and Gen Z Put Concerts Over Savings

Younger generations are proving that live music experiences are worth more than just a chunk of change. Gen Zers are willing to spend over 22% of their savings to see their favorite artist live, while millennials would dedicate 19% of theirs. And for some, the price isn’t just measured in dollars — nearly 20% of Gen Zers would wait in line for any length of time just to secure tickets to their favorite show.

Breaking the Bank for a Bucket-List Concert

For some, the cost of a dream concert isn’t just a splurge — it’s an expense they’re willing to go into debt for. In fact, 32% of Americans would go into credit card debt for a ticket, proving that the fear of missing out can outweigh the fear of a high-interest bill. And when it comes to planning around concerts, work takes a back seat. 83% of Americans would take paid time off just to attend a live performance.

Traveling for a Dream Concert Is the Norm

For fans, distance is just a number. 57% of Americans would travel out of state for a concert, and 1 in 10 would even leave the country for their favorite artist. Millennials, in particular, take concert tourism to the next level, willing to pay nearly $1,000 ($991) for a round-trip flight to see their favorite artist live.

Music festivals are another major draw, with 66% of Americans saying they’d buy a full weekend general admission pass just to see their favorite artist perform. Whether it’s flying cross-country for a stadium show or spending a weekend immersed in festival culture, fans are proving time and again that no price is too high for the perfect concert experience.

Final Encore: What the Data Says About America’s Concert Obsession

From splurging on front-row seats to crossing state lines for a show, Americans are willing to go all out for a chance to see their favorite artists live. Our survey reveals just how much value fans place on unforgettable concert experiences, whether it’s witnessing a legendary artist from the past or today’s chart-topping superstars.

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Methodology

To find out how much people would pay to see their favorite artists or bands live, we surveyed 3,162 U.S. music fans, ages 18 to 76, across 47 states from January 7 to 10, 2025. Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming were excluded due to a low pool of survey respondents.