These are the most expensive cities for a burger, fries and drink

If you think the price of fast food has gone up in recent years, think again. A new study shows that the cost of what is arguably America’s favorite meal — a hamburger, fries, and soda — has increased an average of 24 percent in just the past two years.

Personal finance website MoneyGeek.com analyzed menu prices at more than 150 major and local restaurant chains in 50 of the largest cities in the United States to compare price differences now versus 2022. Unsurprisingly, real estate isn’t the only thing costing more on the coast.

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities for a Burger, Fries and Soda (According to MoneyGeek)

To find the cheapest burger, fries and soda combos in the country, just head to a restaurant in Detroit, Michigan, where consumers spend an average of $8.12 for the same meal, according to the study. The next cheapest spots — in order — are Raleigh, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where consumers can expect to spend about $11 for the combo.

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Inflation in the U.S. has been steadily declining since peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, but food inflation has risen 26.3% since 2019, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And even as overall inflation continues to slow, Scott Taylor of the Wine & Beverage Institute says Americans shouldn’t expect food prices to follow.

“Things will probably stabilize at some point in the near future, but I don’t expect restaurants or grocers to drop their prices all the way back,” Taylor told MoneyGeek. “I also believe that with the push for higher wages for restaurant workers and more companies paying living wages and even eliminating tips, we’ll see menu prices go up to offset the higher wages.”

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Meanwhile, it appears that high prices at restaurants are actually starting to affect how Americans choose to spend their hard-earned cash. McDonald’s — which sells more burgers than any other restaurant chain in the U.S. — reported Monday that same-store sales declined in the second quarter of this year for the first time since 2020, as Americans turned to cheaper options and more home-cooked meals.

Jill Fopiano, president and CEO of O’Brien Wealth Partners, told MoneyGeek that while grocery stores aren’t immune to the effects of inflation, they could be a cheaper alternative to fast-food restaurants.

“They require less labor per customer than restaurants and shouldn’t experience as much price pressure,” Fopiano said. “You might want to make your burgers at home for a while!”