Overview

• The average cost of a flagship fast food meal across 50 major U.S. metros is now $11.56, according to LendingTree's latest analysis.
• San Francisco ranks as the most expensive city for fast food, with an average flagship meal price of $13.88, followed by Seattle and Los Angeles.
• Fast food workers in San Jose must work 178.9% longer than the average area wage to afford a meal, the highest disparity in the nation.
• Inflation and rising labor costs, including California's $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, are key drivers of the price surge.
• Consumers increasingly view fast food as a luxury, with sticker shock reported and sales declining at major chains like McDonald's and Burger King.