McDonald’s Burger and Fries: How Do Prices Compare To Other Fast Food Options?

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McDonald’s has been the beloved go-to fast food joint for decades and continues to remain popular among budget-conscious consumers, taking the top spot for the favorite chain in 2024, according to QSR’s annual report. While it might not be the healthiest, it’s hard to ignore a McDonald’s craving, especially their burgers and fries, which have been staples since the beginning.

One of the major appeals of fast food is that it’s cheap. But how does McDonald’s compare in price to other fast food options? In this economy every dollar counts so GOBankingRates does the pricing comparison for you. Here are the current prices for popular burgers and fries at Burger King, Wendy’s and Carl’s Jr. and how they compare in price to McDonald’s. 

Also here’s how to save more at McDonalds.

McDonald’s Burgers and Fries

Classic Hamburger

• Price: $2.19

The Classic Hamburger features a 100% pure beef patty and topped with pickles, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. 

Double Cheeseburger

• Price: $4.19

The Double Cheeseburger comes with two 100% pure all beef patties and toppings like pickles, onions, two slices of American cheese, ketchup and mustard. It’s cheaper than Carl’s Jr. but a few cents more than Wendy’s and Burger King’s version of the double cheeseburger.

Bacon McDouble

• Price: $4.59

McDonald’s Bacon Double Cheeseburger comes with two 100% pure beef patties, two slices of Applewood smoked bacon, two slices of American cheese and topped with chopped onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard. 

Small Fries

• Price: $1.89

An order of small fries are currently priced at $1.89, but according to the McDonald’s site, customers can score a medium sized fries for free on Fridays with a $1 purchase through the McDonald’s app. 

Burger King’s Burgers and Fries

Hamburger

• Price: $2.49

BK’s Hamburger is similar to McDonald’s. It comes with a flame-grilled beef patty, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a sesame seed bun. While the description doesn’t say 100% pure beef like McDonald’s, according to Burger King’s site, all signature burgers are made with 100% beef patties.

Double Cheeseburger

• Price: $3.99

BK’s Double Cheeseburger features two quarter-pound flame-grilled patties with American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a sesame seed bun. It’s pretty comparable to McDonald’s but a few cents cheaper.

Bacon Double Cheeseburger

• Price: $4.99

The Bacon Double Cheeseburger from BK comes with two quarter-pound flame-grilled patties, two slices of bacon, two slices of American cheese, pickles, mustard and ketchup on a toasted sesame seed bun.

Small Fries

• Price: $3.49

The small fries from BK are thicker in size, but much more expensive compared to McDonald’s $1.89 price. 

Wendy’s Burgers and Fries

Jr. Burger

• Price: $1.39

The Jr. Burger at Wendy’s comes with one ground beef patty, pickles, one sweet raw onion ring, mustard and ketchup on a wheat bun. It’s the cheapest basic burger on our list.

Double Stack

• Price: $3.59

The Double Stack is served with two ground beef patties, one slice of American cheese, pickles, one sweet raw onion ring, mustard and ketchup on a wheat bun. While it’s cheaper than McDonald’s, it’s 40 cents more Burger King’s Double Cheeseburger.

Bacon Double Stack

• Price: $4.09

Like the competitors, the Bacon Double Stack features two ground beef patties, two slices of American cheese, pickles, one sweet raw onion ring, mustard and ketchup on a wheat bun.

Fries

• Price: $2.79

Wendy’s small fries are less expensive than Burger King’s but almost $1 pricier than McDonald’s.

Carl’s Jr. Burgers and Fries

Big Cheeseburger

• Price: 4.99

There was no plain hamburger on the menu that we saw like the other chains had, so the closest thing to compare is the Big Cheeseburger. The burger features a charbroiled all-beef patty, one slice of American cheese, pickles, onions, mustard and ketchup on a seeded bun and is the most expensive out of all the basic burgers on this list.

Double Big Carl

• Price: $7.99

Comparable to the other three fast food double burgers, the Double Big Carl is by far the most costly. It’s well over $3.00 more than McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s.

Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger

• Price: $8.99

The Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger is a classic for Carl’s Jr. It features two charbroiled all-beef patties, two slices of American cheese, two strips of bacon, onion rings and BBQ Sauce on a seeded bun. While it’s a delicious choice, it’s also the most expensive on the list. It’s nearly twice the price of Burger King’s Bacon Double Stack. 

Small Fries

• Price: $2.99

Carl’s Jr. small Natural-Cut French Fries are $1 more than McDonald’s, but still less than Burger King’s, which are the priciest. 

All four major fast food chains have similar items, but the prices greatly differ. There’s no question that Carl’s Jr. is more costly, while McDonald’s has the cheapest fries and Wendy’s has the best deal for the Bacon Double Stack. Prices can also vary by location.

Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.

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