DoorDash Finds Austin's Burger Combo Cheapest at $12.94 as Anchorage Tops $28.28

Q: With labor and rent costs soaring, is the era of the affordable cheeseburger combo officially over for most American cities?

Not entirely—but for much of the country, the cheap cheeseburger combo is no longer the norm. DoorDash’s data shows the average burger-fries-soda meal rose 3.2% over the past year, with a huge gap between low-cost cities such as Austin at $12.94 and high-cost markets such as Anchorage at $28.28. That spread suggests affordability now depends heavily on local economics, not a single national price standard. The main pressure is not just beef or other ingredients. Restaurant operators say labor, rent and energy are the bigger drivers. Labor alone often runs 25% to 35% of revenue, and wages for food-service workers have climbed more than 22% since 2020. Food costs have also risen sharply since 2019, but restaurants with margins often as thin as 3% to 9% have limited room to absorb higher payroll, occupancy and utility bills without raising menu prices. Delivery also matters. Third-party app commissions of 15% to 30% per order frequently push restaurants to charge more online than in-store, meaning the “cheeseburger index” may reflect platform-era pricing as much as kitchen costs. Still, “officially over” goes too far. DoorDash’s own report shows several cities in Texas, the Midwest and parts of the South and Southeast still offer combos in the $13 to $15 range. Affordable burger meals have become more regional and less common, rather than extinct. The broader takeaway is that the affordable combo has shifted from a mass-market expectation to a location-specific value find.

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 11

Austin posted the lowest average U.S. price for a cheeseburger, fries and soda at $12.94 in DoorDash's latest Cheeseburger Index, while Anchorage was highest at $28.28 for the same meal.
DoorDash said the gap reflects local operating costs more than ingredients alone, with labor, rent and energy helping make Southern and Southeastern cities generally cheaper for restaurant meals.
The burger combo's national average price rose 3.2% from a year earlier, underscoring that eating out is still getting more expensive even as some grocery and household prices have stabilized.
Four Texas cities made the 10 best-value list, and the broader State of Local Commerce report showed mixed inflation trends — egg prices eased, but avocado and milk rose 12.4% and 8.3% from the prior quarter.

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Fox News3h ago

DoorDash Report: Austin, Texas, Has Lowest Cheeseburger, Fries, Soda Price at $12.94

With labor and rent costs soaring, is the era of the affordable cheeseburger combo officially over for most American cities?

Austin has America's cheapest cheeseburger but a high cost of living. What does this paradox reveal about urban affordability?

DoorDash blames high costs for pricey meals, but are its own 30% commission fees the real reason your burger is so expensive?

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1 total

Fox News3h ago

DoorDash Report: Austin, Texas, Has Lowest Cheeseburger, Fries, Soda Price at $12.94

DoorDash Finds Austin's Burger Combo Cheapest at $12.94 as Anchorage Tops $28.28

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