McDonald’s has certainly come a long way since its humble beginnings in San Bernardino, California. What began in 1948 by brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald, has branched out tremendously, thanks in part to Ray Kroc, who purchased the rights to franchising the restaurant across the nation and then opened his first location in Des Plaines, Iowa in 1955. As of 2022, the fast-food giant currently has around 40,275 locations throughout the world.

With this many locations, it’s easy to see how certain menu items have become favorites. The Big Mac, first introduced in 1967, has not only come a long way since but has become one of the more popular offerings. As one of the most beloved menu items, it is estimated that 900 million are sold per year globally, and 550 million are sold in the U.S. alone. (These are the top 5 McDonald’s menu items in every state.) 

The Big Mac is one of the most famous sandwiches, not just in the United States but throughout the world, and was even enshrined in a television commercial jingle in 1974: Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. The sandwich is so well known that the Economist magazine publishes The Big Mac Index, which uses Big Mac prices to approximate the cost of living, or purchasing power, in countries around the world.

When it initially debuted, the Big Mac cost 45 cents, equivalent to $3.95 today; but the current average price is $5.17. These days, the sandwich price in the U.S. varies considerably from state to state. 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the average Big Mac price in each state by the state’s disposable income per capita (income after taxes) and cost of living (based on regional price parities) to identify the “true cost” of a Big Mac in each state. In other words, considering income, taxes, cost of living, and actual Big Mac price, the true cost of a Big Mac was calculated for residents living in that state. The 50 states were ranked by the “true cost” of a Big Mac.

Regardless of where you are, a Big Mac is supposed to taste alike, but the same can’t be said for the price which varies dramatically by location. Prices in each state range from $4.19 to $7.09, while the “true cost” of a Big Mac — after adjusting for income, taxes, and cost of living — ranges from $3.44 to $6.54. The true cost of a Big Mac is highest in the East Coast states of Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont, as well as the Southern states of Arkansas and Mississippi, two of the poorer states in the Union. (These are the 31 poorest states in America ranked.)

The best deal for this iconic burger can be found in two states – Wyoming and South Dakota. In Wyoming, the true cost is $3.44 and the actual price is $4.19, 19% lower than the national average price. This is because disposable income in the state is $62,227, 11.5% higher than the national average, while the cost of living is 8.6% lower than the national average. Similarly, in South Dakota, the true cost of a Big Mac is $3.83 and the actual price is $4.54, 12.2% lower than the national average. Disposable income in South Dakota is $59,688, 6.9% higher than the national average, while the cost of living is 9.9% lower than the national average.

On the contrary, the price of a Big Mac is $6.29, or 21.7% higher than the national average, in Vermont. After considering the state’s relatively low disposable income of $54,714 (2.0% lower than the national average) and cost of living which is just 1.3% lower than the national average, the true cost of a Big Mac comes to $6.33. Similarly in Hawaii, where the price of a Big Mac is $5.31, after considering the state’s relatively low disposable income of $52,515 (5.9% lower than the national average) and the nation’s highest cost of living, the true cost of a Big Mac for residents there comes to $6.39.

Here are the states where a Big Mac is unaffordable.

See below to read our detailed methodology.

50. Wyoming

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.44
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.19, 19.0% lower than national avg price – 2nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,227, 11.5% higher than national avg – 9th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.6% lower than national avg – 14th lowest
• Population, 2022: 581,381

49. South Dakota

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.83
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.54, 12.2% lower than national avg price – 12th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $59,688, 6.9% higher than national avg – 11th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.9% lower than national avg – 7th lowest
• Population, 2022: 909,824

48. Nebraska

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.94
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $55,766, 0.1% lower than national avg – 19th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.2% lower than national avg – 16th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,967,923

47. Pennsylvania

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $56,034, 0.4% higher than national avg – 18th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.6% lower than national avg – 23rd highest
• Population, 2022: 12,972,008

46. Washington

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.19
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $65,210, 16.8% higher than national avg – 4th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.9% higher than national avg – 5th highest
• Population, 2022: 7,785,786

45. Kansas

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.35
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,484, 6.0% lower than national avg – 23rd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.8% lower than national avg – 12th lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,937,150

44. Ohio

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.38
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $50,577, 9.4% lower than national avg – 18th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 7.5% lower than national avg – 19th lowest
• Population, 2022: 11,756,058

43. North Carolina

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.19, 19.0% lower than national avg price – 2nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,728, 10.9% lower than national avg – 16th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.2% lower than national avg – 23rd lowest
• Population, 2022: 10,698,973

42. Florida

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.45
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,596, 2.2% lower than national avg – 21st highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.4% higher than national avg – 15th highest
• Population, 2022: 22,244,823

41. Indiana

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.48
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.40, 14.9% lower than national avg price – 8th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $50,796, 9.0% lower than national avg – 19th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 7.3% lower than national avg – 20th lowest
• Population, 2022: 6,833,037

40. Iowa

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.50
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,071, 6.7% lower than national avg – 20th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.4% lower than national avg – 5th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,200,517

39. Wisconsin

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.51
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.59, 11.2% lower than national avg price – 13th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,062, 5.0% lower than national avg – 25th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.7% lower than national avg – 21st lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,892,539

38. Nevada

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.51
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,076, 4.9% lower than national avg – 24th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.5% lower than national avg – 25th highest
• Population, 2022: 3,177,772

37. Minnesota

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.60
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.80, 7.2% lower than national avg price – 21st lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $57,359, 2.7% higher than national avg – 16th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.6% lower than national avg – 19th highest
• Population, 2022: 5,717,184

36. Utah

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.67
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.39, 15.1% lower than national avg price – 7th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,632, 11.1% lower than national avg – 15th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 5.4% lower than national avg – 25th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,380,800

35. North Dakota

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.67
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.39, 4.3% higher than national avg price – 17th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $58,659, 5.1% higher than national avg – 13th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.9% lower than national avg – 11th lowest
• Population, 2022: 779,261

34. Oklahoma

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.79
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,398, 11.5% lower than national avg – 12th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.7% lower than national avg – 8th lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,019,800

33. Louisiana

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.89
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $48,882, 12.4% lower than national avg – 9th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.7% lower than national avg – 13th lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,590,241

32. Virginia

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.93
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.99, 3.5% lower than national avg price – 24th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $57,789, 3.5% higher than national avg – 15th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.3% higher than national avg – 13th highest
• Population, 2022: 8,683,619

31. Tennessee

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.94
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.09, 1.5% lower than national avg price – 25th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,262, 6.4% lower than national avg – 22nd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.1% lower than national avg – 10th lowest
• Population, 2022: 7,051,339

30. Connecticut

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.04
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.09, 17.8% higher than national avg price – 6th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $69,247, 24.0% higher than national avg – 2nd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.6% higher than national avg – 11th highest
• Population, 2022: 3,626,205

29. Kentucky

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.07
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,016, 17.6% lower than national avg – 4th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.9% lower than national avg – 3rd lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,512,310

28. Michigan

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.79, 7.4% lower than national avg price – 20th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,256, 11.8% lower than national avg – 10th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 5.7% lower than national avg – 24th lowest
• Population, 2022: 10,034,118

27. New York

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.29, 2.3% higher than national avg price – 21st highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $63,118, 13.0% higher than national avg – 7th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.5% higher than national avg – 3rd highest
• Population, 2022: 19,677,151

26. Alabama

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.13
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.70, 9.1% lower than national avg price – 18th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $45,079, 19.3% lower than national avg – 3rd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 11.9% lower than national avg – 2nd lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,074,296

25. Maryland

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.19
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.19, 0.4% higher than national avg price – 22nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $59,307, 6.2% higher than national avg – 12th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.2% higher than national avg – 7th highest
• Population, 2022: 6,164,660

24. Colorado

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.20
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.69, 10.1% higher than national avg price – 11th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,984, 12.8% higher than national avg – 8th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.0% higher than national avg – 10th highest
• Population, 2022: 5,839,926

23. Montana

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.31
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.19, 0.4% higher than national avg price – 22nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,936, 10.6% lower than national avg – 17th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.4% lower than national avg – 15th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,122,867

22. New Jersey

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.36
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.79, 12.0% higher than national avg price – 10th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $65,844, 17.9% higher than national avg – 3rd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.1% higher than national avg – 4th highest
• Population, 2022: 9,261,699

21. Oregon

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.39
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.00, 3.3% lower than national avg price – 25th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,361, 4.4% lower than national avg – 23rd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.0% higher than national avg – 9th highest
• Population, 2022: 4,240,137

20. Texas

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.36, 3.7% higher than national avg price – 19th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,488, 2.4% lower than national avg – 22nd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.5% lower than national avg – 18th highest
• Population, 2022: 30,029,572

19. New Mexico

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.99, 3.5% lower than national avg price – 24th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,270, 17.1% lower than national avg – 6th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.1% lower than national avg – 6th lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,113,344

18. South Carolina

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.48
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.89, 5.4% lower than national avg price – 22nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,720, 16.3% lower than national avg – 7th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.3% lower than national avg – 22nd lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,282,634

17. West Virginia

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.52
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.79, 7.4% lower than national avg price – 20th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $43,972, 21.2% lower than national avg – 2nd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.2% lower than national avg – 9th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,775,156

16. New Hampshire

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.55
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $64,826, 16.1% higher than national avg – 5th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.5% higher than national avg – 12th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,395,231

15. Georgia

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.56
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.15, 0.4% lower than national avg price – 24th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,538, 11.3% lower than national avg – 14th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.2% lower than national avg – 24th highest
• Population, 2022: 10,912,876

14. Delaware

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.69
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.49, 6.2% higher than national avg price – 14th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,591, 5.8% lower than national avg – 25th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.3% lower than national avg – 20th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,018,396

13. Idaho

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.77
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.39, 4.3% higher than national avg price – 17th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $47,859, 14.3% lower than national avg – 8th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.2% lower than national avg – 17th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,939,033

12. California

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.82
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.89, 13.9% higher than national avg price – 9th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $63,219, 13.2% higher than national avg – 6th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 11.8% higher than national avg – 2nd highest
• Population, 2022: 39,029,342

11. Illinois

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.90
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.09, 17.8% higher than national avg price – 6th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $58,437, 4.7% higher than national avg – 14th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.4% higher than national avg – 16th highest
• Population, 2022: 12,582,032

10. Missouri

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.92
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.69, 10.1% higher than national avg price – 11th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,367, 11.6% lower than national avg – 11th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.0% lower than national avg – 18th lowest
• Population, 2022: 6,177,957

9. Arkansas

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.93
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.49, 6.2% higher than national avg price – 14th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,218, 17.2% lower than national avg – 5th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.6% lower than national avg – 4th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,045,637

8. Rhode Island

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.06
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.99, 15.9% higher than national avg price – 8th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $56,289, 0.8% higher than national avg – 17th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.1% higher than national avg – 14th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,093,734

7. Massachusetts

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.09
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $7.09, 37.1% higher than national avg price – the highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $69,316, 24.2% higher than national avg – the highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.6% higher than national avg – 6th highest
• Population, 2022: 6,981,974

6. Arizona

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.10
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.59, 8.1% higher than national avg price – 13th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,493, 11.4% lower than national avg – 13th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.3% lower than national avg – 22nd highest
• Population, 2022: 7,359,197

5. Alaska

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.11
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.50, 25.7% higher than national avg price – 2nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,045, 11.1% higher than national avg – 10th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.4% higher than national avg – 8th highest
• Population, 2022: 733,583

4. Mississippi

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.23
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.40, 4.4% higher than national avg price – 16th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $41,887, 25.0% lower than national avg – the lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 13.4% lower than national avg – the lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,940,057

3. Vermont

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.33
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,714, 2.0% lower than national avg – 20th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.3% lower than national avg – 17th highest
• Population, 2022: 647,064

2. Hawaii

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.39
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.31, 2.7% higher than national avg price – 20th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,515, 5.9% lower than national avg – 24th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 13.2% higher than national avg – the highest
• Population, 2022: 1,440,196

1. Maine

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.54
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,236, 6.4% lower than national avg – 21st lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.8% lower than national avg – 21st highest
• Population, 2022: 1,385,340

Methodology

To identify the “true cost” of a Big Mac in each state, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the average Big Mac price in each state by the state’s disposable income per capita (income after taxes) and cost of living (based on regional price parities). In other words, considering income, taxes, cost and living, and actual Big Mac price in each state — we calculated the true cost of Big Mac. The 50 states were ranked by the “true cost” of a Big Mac.

Big Mac prices for each state and the national average price of $5.17 came from Zippia’s How Much A Big Mac Costs In Every State and are as of August 2023. Disposable income per capita figures, which are income per capita figures after taxes, are for 2022 and came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national per capita disposable income was $55,832 that year. Regional price parities for 2021, which express the cost of living in the state, are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Population data came from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. We should note the idea came from Pantry and Larder, though we took a different approach.

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