5 Overpriced McDonald’s Meals Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025
Written by
Peter Burns
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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McDonald’s used to be a place where you could pick up a cheap and filling meal, but fast food prices have jumped significantly in recent years. Between 2019 and 2024, the price of an Egg McMuffin rose by 23%, the Filet-O-Fish by 20%, the Big Mac by 21% and the Big Mac Meal by 27%.
While the chain has had reason to raise its prices, it’s made it harder on everyday consumers to eat affordably. And it’s impacted some menu items more than others.
When you stop by McDonald’s, think twice about ordering the following overpriced items.
10-Piece Chicken McNuggets
Price: $5.60
Ten of anything seems like a lot, but if you buy the big box of Chicken McNuggets, it’s likely you won’t be full when you finish it. Unlike other options, chicken nuggets just have breading and some sauce and lack the bun, vegetables, cheese and other ingredients.
For a more filling chicken meal at McDonald’s, opt for a Chicken Big Mac. This sandwich has two chicken patties that amount to more protein than all 10 chicken nuggets combined. It also only costs around $0.30 more.
Filet-O-Fish
Price: $4.59
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish consists only of a bun, a fish patty and one piece of cheese. The combination mimics the cheeseburger, which is priced much lower at $2.39.
If you’re OK with straying away from fish, a great alternative is a double cheeseburger. This sandwich is cheaper at $4.19, and you’ll get double the amount of food with two beef patties and two slices of cheese.
Quarter Pounder With Cheese Bacon Burger
Price: $7.89
If you’re looking for a big burger, a Quarter Pounder with cheese and bacon has a lot of ingredients and plenty of beef, which is a meal in itself. However, heading to Wendy’s gets you a bacon, beef and cheese sandwich for less than half the price. Wendy’s Son of Baconator is the exact same 630 calories but only costs $3.
Sausage McMuffin With Egg
Price: $7.59
The Sausage McMuffin with egg can be a filling way to start your day, but paying over $7 for a sandwich isn’t ideal. Choosing a different sandwich, like an Egg McMuffin for $5.43, is financially savvier.
If you really crave that sausage, egg and cheese combination, head to Dunkin’, where the Dunkin’ Donut Sausage, Egg and Cheese is a more filling roll, offering 680 calories compared to the Sausage McMuffin with egg’s 480. Also, it is only $5.59.
Vanilla Cone
Price: $2.20
McDonald’s has several dessert options, but if you want value, you’re better off going somewhere else. For example, the vanilla cone is 200 calories and costs $2.20. Burger King has a soft-serve ice cream cone that is also 200 calories but only costs $2.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of May 12, 2025, and may vary by location.
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