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Greater Long Island has crunched the numbers so you don’t have to — and if you’re road-tripping this weekend and craving your “ba da ba ba ba I’m Lovin’ It” fix, you may want to plan your route accordingly.
In an Atlantic-to-Pacific (and beyond) analysis of McDonald’s locations across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Guam, Greater Long Island found Kentucky to be home to the nation’s cheapest Big Mac meal at just $7.79. That’s a whopper of a deal compared to the most expensive one found in Prescott, Arizona: $12.99. (We also checked a McDonald’s in Flagstaff, Arizona, where a Big Mac meal also was $12.99.)
Meanwhile, the broader patterns are clear: the South reigns supreme when it comes to selling more affordable Big Mac meals, which include McDonald’s signature sandwich and medium size fries and drink. New England leads in costliness, and Long Island and New York lean toward the more expensive side.
See our interactive pricing map below.
🍔 Big Mac Meal prices by region
The survey selected medium-sized towns with populations between 35,000 and 55,000 — helping keep comparisons “as apples to apples as possible,” said the study’s author, Greater Long Island’s Mike White.
White used the McDonald’s mobile app to examine prices for a standard Big Mac meal (burger, medium fries, and drink) at one location per state. Special attention was paid to different New York regions (Long Island, Manhattan and the Catskills), and we did our best to pick locations in towns that appropriately match the population of Long Island’s Islip area and its proximity to a major city.
Here are some of the highlights — and surprises.
📉 Top 5 cheapest Big Mac Meals in the U.S.
| State | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | Danville | $7.79 |
| Texas | League City | $7.99 |
| Oklahoma | Broken Arrow | $8.19 |
| Alabama | Helena | $8.49 |
| Nebraska | Grand Island | $8.59 |
📈 Top 5 most expensive Big Mac Meals in the U.S.
| State | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Prescott | $12.99 |
| Maine | Brunswick | $11.59 |
| New York | Manhattan | $11.59 |
| Alaska | Juneau | $11.59 |
| Vermont | Essex Junction | $11.39 |
🗺️ Regional trends
- South = Savings
From Kentucky to Mississippi to the Carolinas, Big Mac meals hovered comfortably in the $8 to $9 range, with several states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia offering the meal for under $9. - New England = $$$
Four out of six New England states (the exceptions were Massachusetts at $10.39 and Connecticut at $10.79) posted Big Mac meal prices well over $11, making it the most expensive region overall. - Midwest = Mixed Bag
Prices ranged from $8.59 in Nebraska and Michigan to $10.59 in North Dakota. Illinois (Aurora) clocked in at $9.59. - West = Pricey
Montana ($11), Oregon and California (both $10.69), and Washington ($10.39) placed the West firmly in the higher-cost category. Alaska topped Hawaii, with a Big Mac meal at $11.59 compared to $10.99 in the Aloha State. - Southwest = Mostly Reasonable
New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Oklahoma kept the meal price mostly under $10, but Arizona blew the curve with its nearly $13 entry.
🏙️ How New York compares
| Region | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island | Islip | $11.29 |
| New York City | Manhattan | $11.59 |
| Upstate | Ellenville | $10.79 |
Verdict: You won’t find much relief in the Empire State — prices are on par with New England’s higher tier.
🚗 Road trip tip: pull up here to save
Click around the map below to compare Big Mac meal prices from every U.S. state.
If you’re driving from New York and looking to save, hit up Pennsylvania ($9.89), Virginia ($9.49), Ohio ($9.59) or D.C. ($9.89). You’ll shave off a dollar or more per meal compared to Long Island or Manhattan.
🔍 Methodology
The pricing research was conducted using the McDonald’s app, searching for one restaurant per state (plus D.C. and the U.S. territory of Guam), primarily located in towns with 35,000–55,000 residents. Special attention was given to New York regions.
📝 Final Bite
If you’re in search of cheap comfort food, head South — and avoid that pricey McDonald’s in Prescott, Arizona, unless you’re feeling bullish about that Bitcoin bounce.
Note: McDonald’s doesn’t appear to post the menus of its restaurants in Puerto Rico.
Top photo: Mikey Grasing, a rising junior at Miller Place High School, holds up a Big Mac outside the McDonald’s on Route 25A in Miller Place (Brian Harmon photo).
