The Great American Takeout: A State-by-State Look at Fast Food Affordability
A new study by Chicksx.com, a crypto exchange platform, has revealed a stark reality for fast-food lovers across the United States: the cost of a quick meal varies dramatically from state to state.
The research, which analyzed menu prices at six major chains—including McDonald’s, Burger King, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, and Domino’s—created a comprehensive affordability index to score each state out of 10. The results highlight a clear divide between the nation’s most and least expensive regions for fast-food dining.
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California was ranked as the least affordable state, with a dismal score of just 0.41 out of 10. The state’s high cost of living is reflected in its fast-food prices, with particularly low affordability scores for Chick-fil-A (1.44/10) and Chipotle (1.87/10).
Other states rounding out the bottom five include New York (1.42/10), Connecticut (2.20/10), Massachusetts (3.23/10), and the District of Columbia (3.41/10).
The study found that in many of these high-cost areas, a single chain could heavily influence a state’s overall ranking. For instance, Connecticut’s score was dragged down by its low McDonald’s affordability (1.08/10), while the District of Columbia’s McDonald’s prices were among the highest in the nation.
Conversely, the study found a fast-food paradise in the American South. Mississippi claimed the top spot as the most affordable state, with a perfect score of 10/10. The state offered consistently budget-friendly options across all chains, boasting a 9.76/10 for Chick-fil-A and a 9.67/10 for Domino’s.
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West Virginia (9.94/10) and Alabama (9.91/10) followed closely behind, with Alabama achieving a perfect 10/10 for Chick-fil-A affordability. Texas also made the top five, with a perfect 10/10 score for McDonald’s, making it the best place in the country for a bargain burger.
Al Alof, CEO of Chicksx.com, commented on the findings, stating, “These results clearly show the significant price disparities for identical menu items across different states. The affordability gap between Mississippi and California is striking—you could pay more than double for the same meal depending on your location.”
Alof emphasized the real-world impact of these price differences, particularly for families on tight budgets who rely on fast food for convenient meals. He concluded that the affordability rankings largely mirror the overall cost of living in each state, suggesting that fast-food pricing is not immune to broader economic factors.
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