Price History

McDonald’s menu prices in the United States have changed significantly over the past several years. If you have been eating at McDonald’s since 2020 or earlier, you already know your usual order costs more than it used to. This page tracks how key menu items have shifted in price and what those changes mean for everyday customers.

How much have McDonald’s prices gone up?

Between 2020 and 2026, most McDonald’s menu items in the US increased by 25 to 40 percent. Some categories saw even steeper jumps. Combo meals and premium sandwiches in certain states went up by close to 50 percent. The table below shows real price changes for some of the most popular items.

Price comparison: 2020 vs 2026

Big Mac: $3.99 in 2020 → $5.29 to $5.99 in 2026. That is roughly a 40 percent increase. The Big Mac remains the most recognized item on the burger menu and is often the benchmark people use when talking about fast food inflation.

Egg McMuffin: $3.79 in 2020 → $4.49 to $4.99 in 2026. Breakfast items saw smaller increases than lunch items overall, but the Egg McMuffin still costs about 25 percent more than it did six years ago. See the full breakfast menu with prices for current options.

10-Piece Chicken McNuggets Meal: $6.49 in 2020 → $9.49 to $10.29 in 2026. Combo meals saw the steepest percentage increases because they bundle multiple items that each went up. Check the extra value meals page for today’s meal pricing.

McChicken: $1.29 in 2020 → $2.19 to $2.49 in 2026. Budget items held up better in percentage terms, but losing the $1 price point changed how people think about the value menu. The McChicken is still one of the best deals on the McValue menu.

Large Fries: $2.29 in 2020 → $3.19 to $3.49 in 2026. Fries are often the item people notice first because the size hasn’t changed but the price has. See current fries pricing by size.

Small Soft Drink: $1.00 in 2020 → $1.69 to $1.99 in 2026. The old $1 any size drink deal is gone at most locations. This single change made combo meals feel significantly more expensive.

Why did prices increase so much?

There are four main reasons McDonald’s prices went up faster than normal between 2020 and 2026:

Food costs: Beef prices rose over 30 percent between 2020 and 2023 because of supply chain disruptions and reduced cattle herds. Chicken, cooking oil, wheat, and dairy all followed similar patterns. When ingredients cost more, menu prices go up.

Labor costs: Fast food wages went from an average of $10 to $11 per hour in 2020 to $14 to $16 per hour in 2026. California set a $20 minimum wage specifically for fast food workers. Higher labor costs are the single biggest ongoing factor in menu pricing.

Franchise pricing freedom: About 95 percent of US McDonald’s restaurants are owned by independent franchise operators who set their own prices. During the inflation surge, many franchisees raised prices faster than ingredient costs justified, boosting their profit margins. This is why you can see a $1 to $2 price difference for the same item between two McDonald’s locations in the same city.

Rent and operations: Commercial rent, insurance, equipment maintenance, and technology costs all increased. McDonald’s also invested heavily in app development and delivery infrastructure, which added to operating expenses.

How McDonald’s responded to price complaints

Starting in late 2023, McDonald’s introduced the $5 Meal Deal after widespread customer frustration went viral on social media. In 13-06-2026, they expanded this into the full McValue platform with an Under $3 Menu, a $4 Breakfast Meal Deal, and Buy One Add One for $1 offers. These value options are now the best way to keep your McDonald’s spending reasonable.

For tips on ordering smart in 2026, check our blog post on the cheapest McDonald’s orders under $5 or browse the full menu with current prices.

All prices shown are approximate US averages. Actual prices vary by location and franchise. For the most current pricing at your nearest McDonald’s, use the official McDonald’s app.