Inflation is impacting everyone these days, with the price of everyday goods going so high that the concept of the dollar menu is long forgotten. One of the worst, or best, examples of this is takeout, which was once cheap and affordable during the pandemic-era lockdowns and has now become an expensive luxury.
The impact of inflation isn’t equal depending on where you live, with some major cities reporting costs as much as 18% higher than the national average.
The Numbers
The team at NetCredit crunched the numbers for each city, using Grubhub and comparing the prices of Burger King, KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, Subway, and Taco Bell, then averaging the results. Depending on where you live, these results will make you very happy or decide to cook all your meals at home.
San Diego, California
Coming in at #10 is San Diego, California, with a stunning 14.6% price increase over the national average. Part of this is because of California law making Grubhub and similar “gig” app drivers legal employees, which dramatically increases the cost of ordering a late-night burger run. Combine the new law with the high cost of living in San Diego, one of the most beautiful cities in the country, and it’s no surprise that the dollar menu has gone the way of the dodo.
New York, New York
The urban jungle of New York City is also 14.6% more expensive, which, given the congestion, fuel costs, and dense population of the city, sounds like a bargain compared to what we expected. New Yorkers are used to paying a premium for nearly everything as that’s just the cost of living in the financial hub of the world economy.
Seattle, Washington
With takeout prices this high, it’s no wonder that vampires decided to make the Pacific Northwest their home. Seattle clocks in at 14.95% over the national average, enough to make anyone start to think blood is cheaper. To make matters worse, the Seattle Freeze means most of these takeout orders are for a party of one.
Tacoma, Washington
Thirty miles southwest of Seattle, nestled along the Puget Sound, is Tacoma, and even higher takeout prices. At 15.19%, there are places in the country where it’s half as cheap to order takeout. On the other hand, if you live in Tacoma, you get to experience some of the finest museums on the West Coast.
Bellevue, Washington
Washington is the only state with three cities on this list, with Bellevue coming in above its neighbors at 16.67%. The worst takeout to order is Subway, which will cost you 38% more in Bellevue than all but one other city in the country. A $5 footlong is as rare a sight as Big Foot.
Edmond, Oklahoma
Making a surprise appearance in what is otherwise a list of the high-cost-of-living locations in Edmond, Oklahoma, the fifth largest city in the state. KFC is clearly not a fan of the Sooners because it’s 38% more expensive in Edmond, surpassing the already outlandish 24% price increase for Subway. If you are in town, we recommend staying with the BBQ instead.
Los Angeles, California
Home of Hollywood, Los Angeles is also home to absurd takeout prices, at an average of 17.9% over the rest of the country. Brace yourself because, at 53%, Subway is the most expensive, and at that point, we have to wonder if the Footlong is worth it. Then taken, you have to wonder how much you would spend to avoid Los Angeles traffic.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Home to the famous Midnight Sun baseball game, Fairbanks is so far north that it’s impressive that it even has fast food chains. At 18% over the national average, the second-largest city in Alaska is comparable to Los Angeles, which means the surprise here is that it’s not even more expensive. Anchorage is home to the most expensive Taco Bell in the country, which helps explain why Pete Davidson has never visited.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Everything is more expensive in Hawaii due to the logistics of shipping to the islands, but on the other hand, you live in Hawaii. Given how gorgeous Honolulu is, paying 18.07% over the average, and the highest for Burger King at an eye-popping 33.96%, might be acceptable. If you’re vacationing, stick to local restaurants.
Anchorage, Alaska
The most expensive city in the country for takeout is Anchorage, Alaska, the largest city in the state, with 291,000 residents. Everything is expensive at 18.29% over the average, with KFC the worst at 38%. Instead of takeout, enjoy a burger at the Bear Tooth Grill.
New York
Remember, the 5.96% price premium for New York is across the state, which means it’s significantly more expensive in New York City than, say, Buffalo. If you do have the hankering for takeout after witnessing the Bills lose again, avoid McDonald’s, which has an 11% average premium throughout New York.
Rhode Island
At 6.63%, Rhode Island is the most expensive state in the country for takeout if we go by square miles. KFC and McDonald’s are the two most expensive to order in the state, but really, if you find yourself driving through Rhode Island, just hold out until you get to Connecticut.
Oregon
The first of the West Coast states to appear on the list, Oregon, is 6.8% over the average, but the absurd Burger King premium of 17% pushes it even that high. KFC, at 13%, is nearly as bad, and even Taco Bell is getting expensive, at 4% over the average. If you are going out west, don’t get fast food.
Massachusetts
Lee, Massachusetts, is the official home of the country’s most expensive Burger King Whopper, at $7.98. The 7.2% increase over the average is honestly less than expected, given the cost of living and taxes in the state. Worcester deserves recognition, which is a strange sequence of words to type, for McDonald’s is 24% more expensive, dragging the entire state down to its level.
New Hampshire
At 7.6%, New Hampshire is the third New England state to make the list, but not the last. Popeyes, at 16%, is only more expensive in Alaska. What the residents of the Granite State have against the greatest chicken sandwich on the market is unknown.
Vermont
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Vermont, the last New England state to make the list, at 7.9%, is only slightly worse than New Hampshire. This makes sense because up in the forests of Vermont, you should be enjoying fried perch, gravy fries, and as much maple syrup as you can pour on a pile of pancakes.
California
With the highest cost of living in the country and strict “gig” laws, it’s no wonder that the entire state averages out to 11.75% over the national average. Even in the more affordable areas, it’s becoming cost-prohibitive to use Grubhub, except for Taco Bell, which is only 2.5% more expensive, fitting for a restaurant that started in California.
Hawaii
As the third most expensive state for takeout, Hawaii is only surprising in that a continental state beat it out! At 11.98%, ordering takeout in Hawaii is a waste of a vacation. Go enjoy a beachside luau or a local fish delicacy instead of a Whopper.
Washington
Washington, with a 12.9%, is one of the most expensive states in which to live. Pushed by taxes, exorbitant rental prices, and the rising costs of ingredients, eating out in Washington is quickly becoming a luxury. On the flip side, most restaurant employees have benefits, including insurance and time off, so that part is good, but paying $40 at McDonald’s can sting.
Alaska
The cost of getting food to Alaska makes it the most expensive state to eat out, at a whopping 18% over the national average. Logistically, there’s no way to bring the price of food down, but on the other hand, local seafood restaurants are some of the best in the world.
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