Fast food prices have skyrocketed in recent years across the United States, but a new analysis has revealed the most expensive city to buy a burger, fries and a soda.
San Diego is the most expensive city to enjoy quintessential American food, with an average cost of $20.76, according to Money Geek.
The personal finance site analyzed the prices of a burger, fries and soda at 189 major and local chains in 50 of the largest U.S. cities.
Surprisingly, the notoriously expensive cities of New York and Los Angeles were found not to be in the top five for most expensive food, beaten out by other cities on the East and West Coasts.
Across the country, persistent inflation has meant prices have risen by 24 percent on average between 2022 and 2024, with meals costing more than $15 in 19 of the largest cities.
Scroll down to see prices in each of the 50 cities.
San Diego is the most expensive city to purchase quintessentially American food, with an average cost of $20.76, according to the study.
Washington DC ranked second with an average meal price of $18.17.
San Francisco followed closely behind at $17.96, and a burger, fries and soda would cost a Seattle resident $17.83, the study found.
In fifth place on the list was Boston, where the average price of a fast food meal was $17.63.
California cities took three of the top ten spots for most expensive food, with Los Angeles next in the ranking with an average price of $17.50.
Some restaurant owners in the Golden State have raised menu prices in recent months after the minimum wage increased to $20 an hour for fast-food workers.
In New York, which ranks seventh, residents pay an average of $16.61 for a meal.
With the exception of Phoenix, which ranked eighth on the list, and Las Vegas, which tied for tenth with Baltimore, the top ten spots were occupied by cities on both the East and West Coasts.
The most affordable meal is in Detroit, according to the study, where Americans can buy a burger, fries and a soda for just $8.12.
MoneyGeek also investigated price gouging at specific fast food restaurants.
Five Guys charges the highest price for a burger, fries and soda: an average of $20.84. This represents a 13.7 percent increase from 2022, when it cost an average of $18.33.
Although Jack in the Box charged significantly less for food ($13.75 on average), the chain has raised prices by 25.8 percent since 2022.
Meanwhile, Wendy’s prices have increased 31.8 percent over the past two years, from $9.41 to $12.41.
At McDonald’s, which sells more burgers than any other chain, prices have risen 22 percent since 2022, according to the study.
The average meal costs $7.57 at McDonald’s locations nationwide.
California cities took three of the top ten spots for most expensive fast food (pictured: McDonald’s location in San Diego)
Wendy’s prices have increased 31.8 percent over the past two years, the most among major chains.
In response to rising prices, some major chains have begun introducing reduced-price offers for customers in what has been dubbed the “fast food meal wars.”
In April, KFC introduced its Taste of KFC deals, which include a $4.99 meal for one consisting of a drumstick, thigh, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a biscuit.
McDonald’s launched a $5 summer meal deal in June, which includes a McChicken or McDouble, four chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.
But customers lashed out at the chain immediately following the launch, after it was revealed the food was priced as high as $13 in some locations.
Customers posted screenshots on social media showing the much higher prices.
One showed $13, which was thought to be an error in the app, but others had to pay $6.67 for the standard meal deal and many more were charged more than $6.
McDonald’s is now understood to be investigating the pricing discrepancies.
The chain’s executives have made it clear to franchisees that they must respect the prices advertised at the national level.
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