As anger over rising fast-food prices reaches an all-time high, it’s easy to forget that not all states are like California and New York.
It’s true that McDonald’s prices, for example, have nearly tripled in at least some cases over the past decade, but in some countries this may go almost unnoticed.
That’s according to a new study released by online coupon platform BravoDeal, which looked into which states are paying the least for the popular quick-service item, and which are paying the most.
While chains like McDonald’s have certainly risen in price, they remain surprisingly affordable in some states. dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
The researchers chose four well-known menu items from four of the most popular chains — McDonald’s Big Mac, Domino’s medium cheese pizza, Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwich and Taco Bell’s combo — and looked at the average statewide price of each, Eat This, Not That! reported.
Three states in the Deep South topped the list for cheapest prices, with Mississippi taking the No. 1 spot for affordability: Magnolia State residents, for example, pay an average of $2.99 for a Chick-fil-A classic sandwich, far less than the $6.99 charged at some New York City locations.
Want a Big Mac in Biloxi? The average price is $3.91, much cheaper than the $8.09 it was selling for at a Massachusetts McDonald’s earlier this year.
According to the data, Taco Bell lovers in Mississippi will pay an average of $5.67 for a combo meal, while Alaskans will shell out an average of just over $7, and likely much more.
And finally, Domino’s Pizza: A medium cheese pie averages about $13.49 in the Gulf Coast states, but Seattle residents can pay up to $16.99.
Mississippi has the cheapest prices for popular fast food, according to a new study.
Arkansas and Alabama ranked second and third on the list of least expensive states to live in, with Nebraska and Kentucky rounding out the top five.
The weather may be great, but in Hawaii, the most expensive state, fast food prices are hellish: the average price of a Domino’s pizza is $18.99, a Big Mac is $5.31, a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is $4.06, and a Taco Bell combo is $7.70.
New York came in second on the list with an average price of $14.49 for a pizza, $5.23 for a burger, $4 for a chicken sandwich and $7.58 for a Taco Bell combo.
Hawaii may have a lot to offer, but affordable fast food is definitely not on the list.
New Jersey ranked third, California fourth, and Maryland fifth.
California has been getting a lot of attention over fast food prices after the state’s minimum wage for fast food workers jumped to $20 an hour.
“Hawaii’s status as the most expensive state is not surprising given its remote location, as transportation costs drive up the price of goods,” Marco Farnararo, CEO and co-founder of Bravo Savings Network, told the outlet.
“But what’s really interesting is the variety of price points we see in other regions, from wallet-friendly Mississippi to slightly more expensive areas like California and New York, which is an eye-opener for anyone who likes a quick takeout meal.”
