The average cost of fast food in Pennsylvania
(WTAJ) — As fast food prices have surged well above the country's inflation rate, many consumers wonder if stopping for dinner on the way home is even worth it.
According to a WalletHub study, the average price of fast food has risen 47 percent over the past decade. Value menus at fast food chains have become less and less of a value, and when COVID-19 was surging, 'value' menus were becoming increasingly harder to find.
Mississippi sits at the top of the list for money spent on fast food relative to the state's median income, while Massachusetts and New Jersey tie at the bottom.
The amount of money Pennsylvanians spend on fast food is relatively low by comparison. In fact, WalletHub ranks the Commonwealth at number 35. According to the study, compared to median monthly household income, Pennsylvanians spend roughly 0.35 percent on fast food.
The average cost of fast food in the Keystone State (a burger, an 11 to 12-inch pizza and a fried chicken sandwich) is $22.34. Pennsylvania ranks number 31 for the average price of a burger, 41 for the pizza, and 19 for the fried chicken compared to other states, WalletHub added.
It's important to note, these average prices are in-store and do not include delivery or service fees. Apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats can quickly inflate your cost with fees and driver tips.While WalletHub says the average increase is 47 percent across the country, that's just for the burger, pizza and chicken sandwich. A deeper look into a graph by Crews Bank & Trust looks at a bigger fast food picture.
When it comes to price increases, McDonald's leads the way nationally with a 100 percent increase since 2014, according to a May 2024 chart. The biggest culprit? The McChicken sandwich, which they said was just $1 in 2014 and is now over $3 at many stores — a more than 200 percent price increase.
On the other end, Crews Bank & Trust claims Starbucks and Subway are at the lower end of the decade-long inflation at 39 percent. For those who may be wondering, the super popular Taco Bell is at 81 percent.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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