How a McDonald’s Meal Could Be Your Cheapest Lunch in 2026

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Groceries cost more than ever, but McDonald’s is cutting the price of its budget-friendly combo meals. In some cities, grabbing a Big Mac with fries and a drink can actually cost about the same as putting together a meal at home — let’s explore the details below.

McDonald’s Is Slashing Combo Meal Prices

According to the USDA’s 2025 to 2026 Food Price Outlook, grocery prices (food-at-home) are expected to rise just 1.2% in 2026, whereas food-away-from-home is projected to climb 3.3%. Even so, McDonald’s has moved in the opposite direction, cutting the price of some of its most popular combos.

Starting Sept. 8, 2025, McDonald’s slashed 15% off the price of eight popular combo meals. They’ve also reportedly agreed to offer U.S. franchisees financial support to compensate for these price drops, per NACS. 

To kick off the promotion, McDonald’s is offering an $8 Big Mac meal or a $5 Sausage McMuffin meal for a limited time in most of the country. (Some higher-cost areas like California and Hawaii will pay $1 more) 

According to a McDonald’s corporate announcement, here are all the value meals you’d be able to save 15% on:

• Sausage McMuffin with Egg
• Sausage Egg and Cheese McGriddles
• Egg McMuffin
• Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit
• Big Mac
• 10-piece Chicken McNuggets 
• Any variety Quarter Pounder burger (Original, Bacon or Deluxe)
• Any variety McCrispy Sandwich (Original, Deluxe or Spicy Deluxe)

Comparing Lunch Scenarios in Different Cities

Here’s how a homemade lunch stacks up against a McDonald’s combo, depending on where you live.

High-Cost States (like Hawaii and California)

Homemade Lunch (per serving):

• Bread: $4.50; makes 10 sandwiches at 45 cents per sandwich
• Deli turkey: $6.99 per half pound; six slices each at $2.75 per sandwich
• Cheese: $4.50; 10 slices each at 45 cents per sandwich
• Apple: $1.25 each
• Chips (single-serve bag): $1.75
• Bottled water: $1.50

Total: around $8.15 per homemade lunch

McDonald’s Value Combo:

• Combo includes a Big Mac, fries and drink.

Total: $9 per value combo

Lower-Cost States (like Alabama and Georgia)

Cost Calculations (per serving):

• Bread: $3.00 makes 10 sandwiches at 30 cents per sandwich
• Deli turkey: $5.00 per half pound; six slices each at $2 per sandwich
• Cheese: $3.50; 10 slices each at 35 cents per sandwich
• Apple: 80 cents each
• Chips (single-serve bag): $1.25
• Bottled water: $1.25

Total: about $5.95 per homemade lunch 

McDonald’s Value Combo:

• Combo includes a Big Mac, fries and drink

Total: $8 per value combo

Though McDonald’s may be slightly more expensive than home-cooked meals in most areas, you won’t have to spend time prepping your meal or cleaning up. Plus, when you factor in coupons, app-only promos or seasonal deals, McDonald’s might be the winner, especially in higher-cost states where the price difference is only a buck or two. 

McDonald’s Could Save You Time and Money in Some Cases

At the end of the day, the biggest advantage McDonald’s has going for it is convenience. You don’t have to shop, cook or clean, which can be worth more than the dollar or two difference you’d save by packing lunch. 

That said, McDonald’s isn’t healthy by any means. Their meals are packed with calories, salt and fried foods and eating it too often can take a toll on your health (and your wallet later on if it leads to doctor visits). So, McDonald’s should only be a backup plan for when you’re too busy to prep your own meal, not a long-term replacement for balanced meals at home.

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