Austin, Texas, Named Cheapest City for Cheeseburger, Fries, and Soda Combo

Austin, Texas, has been identified as the most affordable city in the United States for purchasing a classic cheeseburger, fries, and soda combination, according to a recent DoorDash report.

The "Cheeseburger Index," featured in DoorDash's State of Local Commerce Report, analyzes the average price of this meal across various U.S. cities. In Austin, the combined cost averages $12.94. This finding aligns with a general trend where cities in the South and Southeast tend to have lower operating costs, contributing to more affordable prices for both groceries and restaurant meals.

In contrast, Anchorage, Alaska, recorded the highest average price for the same meal, reaching $28.28. The report highlights significant local variations in the cost of everyday goods.

"There isn't one economy. There are a lot of local economies," Jessica Lachs, chief analytics officer at DoorDash, stated in comments to Fox News Digital. "The same basket of goods — a cheeseburger, fries and a drink — costs $12.94 on average in Austin, Texas, but $28.28 in Anchorage, Alaska. Same basket, same quarter, but a very different local reality."

The report also noted that cities in the Midwest and Texas show strong value. Four Texas cities made the list of top-value locations: Laredo ($13.39), Lincoln, Nebraska ($13.86), Detroit ($14.99), and Philadelphia ($15.41) rounded out the top five most affordable cities.

The overall average price for a cheeseburger, fries, and soda combo across the U.S. has increased by 3.2 percent over the past year. DoorDash attributes these rising restaurant prices not solely to food costs, such as beef prices, but also to broader operating expenses, including labor, rent, and energy.

The Cheeseburger Index is part of a larger report that also includes a Breakfast Basics Index and an Everyday Essentials Index, which track the prices of common breakfast items and household staples, respectively. While prices for many household essentials have remained stable, some grocery items, like avocados and milk, have seen price increases in the most recent quarter.