English
Español
Français
Português
"How much is a Big Mac?" sounds like a simple question, but in 2026 the honest answer is: it depends where you are. About 95% of US McDonald's restaurants are owned by franchisees, and each one sets its own prices. That's why the same burger can cost under $5 in a small town and close to $9 in a city center or highway rest stop.
This guide gives you typical US price ranges for the full McDonald's menu, based on what stores are charging this fall. Use it to compare and plan, then confirm your exact total in the McDonald's app.
Disclaimer: This is an independent, unofficial guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by McDonald's. All trademarks belong to their owners. Prices, menu items, deals and hours may change and can vary by location. Please check the official McDonald's website or app for the latest information: www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html
McDonald's Prices at a Glance
| Item | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Big Mac | $5.29 – $7.19 |
| Big Mac Meal (medium) | $9.19 – $11.49 |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | $5.79 – $7.49 |
| 10 pc Chicken McNuggets | $5.49 – $7.29 |
| McChicken | $1.99 – $3.29 |
| Medium fries | $3.29 – $4.49 |
| Happy Meal | $4.49 – $6.29 |
| Egg McMuffin | $4.29 – $5.49 |
| McFlurry (regular) | $3.99 – $5.29 |
| Any size soft drink (promo) | $1.00 – $1.79 |
Burgers
| Burger | Sandwich only | Medium meal | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Mac | $5.29 – $7.19 | $9.19 – $11.49 | 590 |
| Double Big Mac (when available) | $6.79 – $8.49 | $10.49 – $12.79 | 850 |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | $5.79 – $7.49 | $9.49 – $11.79 | 520 |
| Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese | $7.29 – $9.29 | $10.99 – $13.49 | 740 |
| Quarter Pounder Deluxe | $6.29 – $7.99 | $9.99 – $12.29 | 630 |
| Cheeseburger | $1.79 – $2.99 | — | 300 |
| Double Cheeseburger | $2.99 – $4.29 | $6.79 – $8.29 | 450 |
| McDouble | $2.49 – $3.79 | — | 400 |
| Hamburger | $1.59 – $2.69 | — | 250 |
McDouble vs Double Cheeseburger: they're nearly identical, but the McDouble has one slice of cheese instead of two, and it's usually 40–60 cents cheaper.
Chicken & Fish
| Item | Sandwich / pack | Medium meal | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pc Chicken McNuggets | $2.49 – $3.49 | — | 170 |
| 6 pc Chicken McNuggets | $3.79 – $5.29 | $7.79 – $9.49 | 250 |
| 10 pc Chicken McNuggets | $5.49 – $7.29 | $9.29 – $11.29 | 410 |
| 20 pc Chicken McNuggets | $8.49 – $10.99 | — | 830 |
| 40 pc Chicken McNuggets | $13.99 – $17.99 | — | 1,660 |
| McChicken | $1.99 – $3.29 | — | 400 |
| McCrispy | $5.29 – $6.79 | $8.99 – $10.99 | 470 |
| Deluxe McCrispy | $5.99 – $7.49 | $9.69 – $11.69 | 530 |
| Spicy McCrispy | $5.49 – $6.99 | $9.19 – $11.19 | 530 |
| Filet-O-Fish | $5.19 – $6.69 | $8.89 – $10.89 | 390 |
Best value for groups: the 40-piece McNuggets usually works out to around 40 cents per nugget, much cheaper than smaller boxes.
Fries & Sides
| Side | Price range | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small fries | $2.29 – $3.29 | 230 |
| Medium fries | $3.29 – $4.49 | 320 |
| Large fries | $3.99 – $5.29 | 480 |
| Apple slices | $0.99 – $1.49 | 15 |
Happy Meal
| Happy Meal | Price range |
|---|---|
| Hamburger Happy Meal | $4.49 – $5.79 |
| 4 pc McNuggets Happy Meal | $4.79 – $6.29 |
| 6 pc McNuggets Happy Meal | $5.49 – $6.99 |
Each Happy Meal comes with kids' fries or apple slices, a small drink (often milk or juice) and a toy.
Breakfast (Quick View)
| Item | Price range |
|---|---|
| Egg McMuffin | $4.29 – $5.49 |
| Sausage McMuffin with Egg | $4.29 – $5.49 |
| Sausage McMuffin | $1.99 – $2.99 |
| Sausage Biscuit | $1.99 – $2.99 |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $4.49 – $5.69 |
| Hotcakes | $3.79 – $4.99 |
| Big Breakfast with Hotcakes | $6.49 – $8.29 |
| Hash Browns | $1.89 – $2.69 |
See our full McDonald's breakfast menu guide for hours and combos.
Drinks
| Drink | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks | $1.39 – $1.99 | $1.69 – $2.39 | $1.89 – $2.69 |
| Sweet / unsweet tea | $1.39 – $1.99 | $1.69 – $2.39 | $1.89 – $2.69 |
| Premium Roast coffee | $1.69 – $2.39 | $1.99 – $2.69 | $2.29 – $2.99 |
| Iced coffee | $2.49 – $3.29 | $2.89 – $3.79 | $3.29 – $4.19 |
| McCafé latte | $3.29 – $4.29 | $3.79 – $4.79 | $4.29 – $5.29 |
| Shake | $3.49 – $4.59 | $3.99 – $5.19 | $4.49 – $5.69 |
Many stores run an app deal for any size soft drink for $1 to $1.79.
Desserts
| Dessert | Price range |
|---|---|
| McFlurry (Oreo or M&M's), regular | $3.99 – $5.29 |
| McFlurry, snack size | $2.79 – $3.79 |
| Vanilla cone | $1.69 – $2.49 |
| Hot fudge / caramel sundae | $2.49 – $3.49 |
| Baked apple pie | $1.49 – $2.19 |
| Chocolate chip cookie (1) | $0.79 – $1.19 |
| Cookie 3-pack | $1.99 – $2.79 |
How to Save Money at McDonald's
- Use the McDonald's app. MyMcDonald's Rewards gives points on every order, and the Deals tab often has buy-one-get-one or free fries offers.
- Check the McValue menu. The current value lineup includes a "Buy One, Add One for $1" style deal and a low-price meal bundle at many stores.
- Skip the medium meal. Ordering a sandwich plus a $1 app drink is often cheaper than a combo.
- Go big on nuggets for groups. The 20 and 40 piece boxes are far cheaper per nugget.
- Order in store, not on delivery apps. Delivery menus are often marked up 15–30% before fees.
Why McDonald's Prices Vary So Much
- Franchise pricing: owners set their own menus.
- Location type: airports, malls, highways and tourist areas charge more.
- State costs: higher minimum wages (for example in California) push prices up.
- Delivery and kiosks: delivery apps add their own markup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Big Mac in 2026?
Most US stores charge about $5.29 to $7.19 for the sandwich alone. A medium Big Mac Meal is typically $9.19 to $11.49.
How much is a Happy Meal?
Roughly $4.49 to $6.99, depending on whether you choose a hamburger or McNuggets.
What is the cheapest item at McDonald's?
A cookie, apple slices, a vanilla cone or a hamburger. Among sandwiches, the hamburger and McChicken are usually the cheapest.
Is McDonald's cheaper in the app?
The menu price is usually the same, but the app gives deals and reward points that can cut your total significantly.
Why is McDonald's so expensive near me?
Your restaurant may be in a high-cost area or a special location like an airport. Prices are set by each franchise owner.
The Bottom Line
In October 2026 a typical McDonald's meal for one costs about $9 to $12, while a budget order (McChicken, small fries and an app drink) can come in under $7. Prices vary a lot by location, so treat these ranges as a guide and use the app for your exact total and the best deals.
Last updated: October 11, 2026. Prices are estimates from US restaurants; calories are from McDonald's published US nutrition information and may change.
