Cheeseburger Prices Across the U.S.

Cheeseburgers, fries, and soda are quintessential comfort foods in America, but the amount people pay for them can really differ based on location, as highlighted by the Cheeseburger Index.

A recent report by DoorDash reveals that the average cost of this meal in various U.S. cities varies significantly. For instance, Austin, Texas, boasts the lowest average price at $12.94.

According to DoorDash, Southern and Southeastern cities generally offer more budget-friendly prices due to lower operating costs, which positively influences their rankings in grocery and restaurant price indices.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Anchorage, Alaska, records the highest meal price at $28.28.

The study identifies the top ten cities, most of which are in the Midwest and Texas. Four cities from Texas make it onto this list, with Laredo at $13.39, Lincoln, Nebraska, at $13.86, Detroit at $14.99, and Philadelphia at $15.41.

This analysis comes at a time when dining out has become increasingly expensive, even though prices for many food and household items have remained steady.

Over the last year, the average price of a cheeseburger, fries, and soda has risen by 3.2%, according to DoorDash’s findings.

While the high cost of beef has been often discussed, DoorDash indicates that rising restaurant prices also reflect greater operating expenses, such as labor, rent, and utilities—not just the cost of food.

The local job market and related expenses can explain why a meal costs considerably less in Austin compared to Anchorage, where it’s more than double the price.

“There isn’t just one economy; there are various regional economies,” stated Jessica Lux, DoorDash’s chief analytics officer.

She emphasized that the Cheeseburger Index aims to illustrate how these regional variances impact consumer pricing.

“The reality is that experiences vary widely by region,” Lux added.

For comparison, the average cost for the same meal is $12.94 in Austin versus $28.28 in Anchorage. The item prices may be the same, but local circumstances differ greatly.

This Cheeseburger Index is part of three affordability measures found in the Regional Commerce Report. DoorDash also tracks breakfast prices through the Breakfast Basics Index and everyday essentials with the Everyday Essentials Index.

Some findings pointed out that while many staple prices have stayed stable, certain food costs are rising once more.

Specifically, while egg prices had decreased and helped lower grocery costs earlier this year, both avocado and milk prices saw increases of 12.4% and 8.3% respectively from the previous quarter.

“The Cheeseburger Index provides a fun and straightforward way to digest information,” Lux remarked. “It gives insight into how much it would cost to order the same meal each month and illustrates price fluctuations effectively.”