Fast food prices have been on an upward trajectory since Covid came to town, disrupting the economy and causing supply chain issues out the wazoo. A new study has analyzed data to find the cities with the cheapest fast food prices, and the most expensive fast food…so you can know which areas to stay away from when you’re looking for a quick bite, and which to stop on in you’re on the road.
As things cool down from the past few years of uncertainty, prices are still heating up (while portions are shrinking), and in this age of inflation and ever-tightening budgets, even the guilty pleasure of a fast-food splurge can feel extravagant. To add to the frustration, menu prices at each chain differ from state to state, and city to city. A Big Mac in one area can be $3.91 while in another…$5.31.
That’s why NetCredit analyzed the prices of menu items from all the major fast food chains in the United States in the biggest cities. Using Grubhub, they found the top 10 cities with the cheapest fast food, and the top 10 with the most expensive fast food.
“NetCredit calculated the average national price for takeout from these restaurants and the price premium above or below the national average that a local in each state needs to pay for takeout food overall and for each franchise.”
Cheapest Fast Food Cities
Missouri, and West Virginia take the top 3 spots with the cheapest fast food, and surprisingly, Texas alone has 3 cities making it in the top 10 – including Austin where an influx of new residents have made their roots in the past few years.
- 1. Hattiesburg, MS
- 2. Wheeling, WV
- 3. Parkersburg, WV
- 4. Dallas, TX
- 5. Houston, TX
- 6. Smyrna, DE
- 7. Austin, TX
- 8. Morgantown, WV
- 9. Nashville, TN
- 10. Augusta, GA
NetCredit stated that Texas is “9.58% less than the calculated national average for takeout (prices)”:
- KFC: 12.79% less than national average
- Subway: 12.18% less than national average
- McDonald’s: 11.60% less than national average
- Popeyes: 10.17% less than national average
- Pizza Hut: 9.995 less than national average
- Burger King: 5.74% less than national average
- Taco Bell: 1.43% less than national average
Most Expensive Fast Food Cities
The following most expensive cities to buy fast food doesn’t come with any surprises as they all have a high cost of living:
- 1. Anchorage, AK
- 2. Honolulu, HI
- 3. Fairbanks, AK
- 4. Los Angeles, CA
- 5. Edmond, OK
- 6. Bellevue, WA
- 7. Tacoma, WA
- 8. Seattle, WA
- 9. New York, NY
- 10. San Diego, CA
McDonald’s was recently called out on social media by a customer who paid $18 for a Big Mac meal at a rest stop in Darien, CT. In his Twitter post comments, he claimed to also have found the most expensive Big Mac in the country:
“Ok, I did a little digging and I think I might have stumbled into the country’s most expensive McDonald’s. Its $8.29 Big Mac is missing from this map, which lists $8.09 in Lee, MA as the country’s most expensive (though from a few months ago to be fair)”:
Interestingly enough, Massachusetts didn’t make it onto the top 10 most expensive fast food list. Which might be a bit disturbing considering the implications…
So, the next time your stomach rumbles and your wallet whimpers, remember – America’s culinary landscape is brimming with budget-friendly delights, and overpriced meals alike. Grab your appetite, your adventurous spirit, and this handy guide, and embark on a delicious (and affordable) food odyssey!
Tips to lower your fast food bill: Utilize restaurant apps, daily specials, and loyalty programs to squeeze even more value out of your fast-food forays. In fact, in can be argued that if you’re not using a loyalty program when ordering…you’re throwing money out the window. Many chains offer free items with the purchase of $1 or more -McDonald’s even gives a free Medium fry on Friday’s if you use a coupon code in the app, and Wendy’s latest promotion can get you a burger for 1 cent if you use the app. The deals are out there…you just have to look (or download).
