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DoorDash’s latest annual survey of burger prices reveals where Americans can still buy a full cheeseburger meal without breaking the bank ? and why that matters as food costs climb. The data highlights stark regional differences in everyday dining expenses, with several Midwestern and Southwestern metros offering notably cheaper options this year.
For its Cheeseburger Index, DoorDash compared the price of a complete cheeseburger meal ? burger, fries and a soft drink ? across the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, sampling fast-food, fast-casual and sit-down options. The company found the national average rose by a 3.8% increase, from $17.90 in September 2024 to $18.58 in September 2025, underscoring modest pressure on everyday dining bills.
Where a full burger still costs under $15
Most of the cheapest metro areas clustered in the Midwest, Southwest and parts of the Southeast. By contrast, remote and high-cost markets like Anchorage showed the heaviest premiums; there, a comparable meal can top $25.
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- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Detroit, Michigan
- Austin, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tucson, Arizona
- Mesa, Arizona
- Dallas, Texas
- Orlando, Florida
- Aurora, Colorado
The list signals where everyday dining remains accessible for people on tight budgets, and it matters for several groups: commuters choosing lunch spots, families looking to stretch food dollars, and travelers weighing meal costs when planning trips.
What the numbers don?t capture
DoorDash?s index provides a useful snapshot, but it doesn?t reflect every local nuance. Prices can vary block by block, with premium restaurants, tourist zones and delivery fees pushing totals higher. Sales taxes and regional tipping norms can also change the out-the-door cost of the same meal.
Still, the index is a simple way to track broad trends. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive metros?more than $14 per meal in some cases?highlights how regional economies and supply chains influence common purchases.
For consumers, the takeaway is straightforward: in many parts of the Midwest and Southwest, a full cheeseburger meal remains noticeably cheaper than the national average, while remote and high-cost metros continue to carry a steep premium. Observing these patterns over time can help shoppers, policymakers and businesses understand how food-price inflation affects everyday life.
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