A new DoorDash State of Local Commerce report examining the so-called Cheeseburger Index found that the average price of a cheeseburger, fries and soda varies dramatically across U.S. cities — with Austin, Texas offering the lowest average cost at $12.94 and Anchorage, Alaska ranking highest at $28.28 for the same meal.
The analysis, which tracks consumer prices in local markets nationwide, shows that cities in the South and Southeast tend to be more affordable due to structurally lower operating costs, including labor, rent and energy expenses. The DoorDash report found these regional differences extend across both grocery and restaurant price indexes.
Jessica Lachs, chief analytics officer at DoorDash, told Fox News Digital that the Cheeseburger Index was designed to illustrate how local economic variations translate into everyday prices for consumers. "There isn't one economy. There are a lot of local economies," she said. "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."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive economists and consumer advocates point to the DoorDash findings as evidence of widening regional economic inequality that affects working families' daily lives. They argue that dramatic price disparities like those between Austin and Anchorage highlight how geographic location increasingly determines quality of life, with residents in higher-cost areas facing structural disadvantages regardless of their income level.
Advocates for raising the federal minimum wage have cited similar data to argue that a national baseline wage cannot account for the cost-of-living variations the Cheeseburger Index illustrates. They contend that communities experiencing higher operating costs often see those expenses passed directly to consumers through elevated food and dining prices, creating compounding financial pressure on households with limited budgets.
Consumer groups focused on food security note that restaurant price increases — the DoorDash report shows a 3.2% year-over-year climb for the cheeseburger combo meal — disproportionately affect families who rely on eating out due to work schedules, transportation limitations or lack of kitchen facilities. The report also found avocado prices rose 12.4% and milk prices increased 8.3% from the previous quarter.
What the Right Is Saying
Free-market economists and conservative policy analysts view the Cheeseburger Index as a demonstration of healthy market competition driving regional price efficiency. They argue that lower operating costs in cities like Austin, Laredo and Lincoln reflect pro-business environments with reasonable regulatory burdens, lower energy expenses and competitive labor markets — factors they say benefit consumers through more affordable dining options.
Republicans who advocate for limiting government regulation point to the DoorDash data as evidence that local economic conditions, not federal policy, drive consumer prices. They note that the report attributes higher restaurant costs primarily to operating expenses including labor, rent and energy rather than food commodity prices, suggesting that reducing regulatory barriers could help lower costs in more expensive markets.
Some conservative commentators have used regional price comparisons to argue for policies that encourage economic mobility, noting that individuals can achieve a higher standard of living by relocating to areas with favorable cost-of-living dynamics. They contend that federal policy should focus on removing obstacles to geographic flexibility rather than attempting to standardize prices across diverse local economies.
What the Numbers Show
The DoorDash State of Local Commerce report identifies Austin, Texas as the most affordable major city for a cheeseburger, fries and soda at $12.94 average. The top five value cities are Laredo, Texas ($13.39), Lincoln, Nebraska ($13.86), Detroit ($14.99) and Philadelphia ($15.41). The national average price increase for the meal combination was 3.2% year-over-year.
Anchorage, Alaska's $28.28 average represents a 119% premium over Austin prices — more than double the cost for an identical meal basket. DoorDash attributes the gap to local labor markets and operating expenses including rent, energy costs and supply chain logistics specific to remote geographic locations.
The report also tracks related consumer price indicators: avocado prices rose 12.4% and milk prices increased 8.3% from the previous quarter, while egg prices have eased after helping pull grocery costs lower earlier this year. The Cheeseburger Index is one of three affordability measures in DoorDash's broader State of Local Commerce Report, alongside a Breakfast Basics Index and an Everyday Essentials Index.
The Bottom Line
The Cheeseburger Index offers a window into how regional economic variations affect everyday purchasing power for millions of Americans. With the same basic meal combination costing more than twice as much in some cities compared to others, the data underscores that geographic location remains a significant factor in household budgeting.
Lachs described the index as "a really great way to distill the information into a simple, fun and relatable metric" while acknowledging the serious economic implications. "If you were to place that same order for a cheeseburger, fries and a drink every month, how much would it cost you? It's a great way to showcase price changes," she said.
The findings come as restaurant prices continue climbing overall even as some grocery staples stabilize, suggesting that broader operating costs beyond food ingredients are driving menu increases. Policymakers focused on consumer affordability will likely point to these regional disparities when debating measures addressing cost-of-living adjustments, minimum wage policies or geographic economic development initiatives.