Fast food, once known for being a budget-friendly option, is increasingly seen as an expensive dining choice as prices surge across the country.
According to a recent report by LendingTree, the average cost of a combo meal at five major fast food chains—Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A—has surpassed $11 in the 50 largest U.S. cities, with a national average of $11.56.
San Francisco recorded the highest average price at $13.88, followed by Seattle at $13.48 and Los Angeles at $13.45. Other major California cities, including Sacramento ($13.21), San Diego ($13.04), San Jose ($13.03), and Riverside ($13.01), also reported average combo meal prices above $13. The most affordable city was Columbus, Ohio, where the average price was $10.01.
Fast Food Meal Prices Have Doubled in a Decade
This trend reflects broader nationwide inflation rather than just regional price variation. An analysis by FinanceBuzz found that fast food prices have increased by 39% to 100% over the past 10 years.
For example, the McDouble at McDonald’s, once priced at $1.19 in 2014, now exceeds $3.00 in 2024. Consumers are increasingly finding basic items like burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets to be unaffordable.
Workers Struggle to Afford the Food They Serve
LendingTree also noted that fast food employees themselves are among those most affected by the rising prices.
With an average hourly wage of $15.07, a worker buying three meals per day from their own workplace would spend roughly 40% of their weekly earnings on food, leaving just 60% for other living expenses.
BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
