Special Report

States Where A Big Mac is Unaffordable

24/7 Wall St. Staff

Published: February 9, 2024 10:30 am

Ever since its opening in April 1955, McDonald’s has reigned supreme throughout the world. With around 40,275 locations around the globe, it’s easy to see how many menu items are increasingly popular. The Big Mac was first introduced in 1967, and this popular burger has come a long way since. As one of the most popular menu items, it is estimated that 900 million are sold per year globally, and 550 million are sold in the U.S. alone. (These are the top 5 McDonald’s menu items in every state.) 

As one of the most famous sandwiches, not just in the United States but throughout the world, the Big Mac was even enshrined in a television commercial jingle in 1974: Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. The sandwich is so well known that the Economist magazine publishes The Big Mac Index, which uses Big Mac prices to approximate the cost of living, or purchasing power, in countries around the world. When it debuted in 1967, the Big Mac cost 45 cents, equivalent to $3.95 today; but the current average price is $5.17. These days, the sandwich price in the U.S. varies considerably from state to state.

To identify the “true cost” of a Big Mac in each state, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the average Big Mac price in each state by the state’s disposable income per capita (income after taxes) and cost of living (based on regional price parities.) In other words, considering income, taxes, cost of living, and actual Big Mac price in each state — we calculated the true cost of Big Mac for residents living in that state. The 50 states were ranked by the “true cost” of a Big Mac.

A Big Mac is supposed to taste the same regardless of where you are, but the same can’t be said for the price which varies dramatically by location. Prices in each state range from $4.19 to $7.09, while the “true cost” of a Big Mac — after adjusting for income, taxes, and cost of living — ranges from $3.44 to $6.54. The true cost of a Big Mac is highest in the East Coast states of Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont, as well as the Southern states of Arkansas and Mississippi, two of the poorer states in the Union. (These are the 31 poorest states in America ranked.)

States that afford people the best deal for the iconic burger are Wyoming and South Dakota. In Wyoming, the true cost is $3.44 and the actual price is $4.19, 19% lower than the national average price. This is because disposable income in the state is $62,227, 11.5% higher than the national average, while the cost of living is 8.6% lower than the national average. Similarly, in South Dakota, the true cost of a Big Mac is $3.83 and the actual price is $4.54, 12.2% lower than the national average. Disposable income in South Dakota is $59,688, 6.9% higher than the national average, while the cost of living is 9.9% lower than the national average.

Conversely, in Vermont, where the price of a Big Mac is $6.29, or 21.7% higher than the national average, after considering the state’s relatively low disposable income of $54,714 (2.0% lower than the national average) and cost of living that is just 1.3% lower than the national average, the true cost of a Big Mac comes to $6.33. Similarly in Hawaii, where the price of a Big Mac is $5.31, after considering the state’s relatively low disposable income of $52,515 (5.9% lower than the national average) and the nation’s highest cost of living, the true cost of a Big Mac for residents there comes to $6.39.

Here are the states where a Big Mac is unaffordable.

See below to read our detailed methodology.

50. Wyoming

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.44
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.19, 19.0% lower than national avg price – 2nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,227, 11.5% higher than national avg – 9th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.6% lower than national avg – 14th lowest
• Population, 2022: 581,381

49. South Dakota

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.83
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.54, 12.2% lower than national avg price – 12th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $59,688, 6.9% higher than national avg – 11th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.9% lower than national avg – 7th lowest
• Population, 2022: 909,824

48. Nebraska

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $3.94
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $55,766, 0.1% lower than national avg – 19th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.2% lower than national avg – 16th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,967,923

47. Pennsylvania

Source: bgwalker / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $56,034, 0.4% higher than national avg – 18th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.6% lower than national avg – 23rd highest
• Population, 2022: 12,972,008

46. Washington

Source: Colleen Michaels / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.19
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $65,210, 16.8% higher than national avg – 4th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.9% higher than national avg – 5th highest
• Population, 2022: 7,785,786

45. Kansas

Source: tupungato / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.35
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,484, 6.0% lower than national avg – 23rd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.8% lower than national avg – 12th lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,937,150

44. Ohio

Source: cak757 / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.38
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $50,577, 9.4% lower than national avg – 18th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 7.5% lower than national avg – 19th lowest
• Population, 2022: 11,756,058

43. North Carolina

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.19, 19.0% lower than national avg price – 2nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,728, 10.9% lower than national avg – 16th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.2% lower than national avg – 23rd lowest
• Population, 2022: 10,698,973

42. Florida

Source: M. Suhail / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.45
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.29, 17.0% lower than national avg price – 6th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,596, 2.2% lower than national avg – 21st highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.4% higher than national avg – 15th highest
• Population, 2022: 22,244,823

41. Indiana

Source: valeriebb / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.48
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.40, 14.9% lower than national avg price – 8th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $50,796, 9.0% lower than national avg – 19th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 7.3% lower than national avg – 20th lowest
• Population, 2022: 6,833,037

40. Iowa

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.50
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,071, 6.7% lower than national avg – 20th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.4% lower than national avg – 5th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,200,517

39. Wisconsin

Source: spflaum1 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.51
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.59, 11.2% lower than national avg price – 13th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,062, 5.0% lower than national avg – 25th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.7% lower than national avg – 21st lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,892,539

38. Nevada

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.51
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.49, 13.2% lower than national avg price – 11th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,076, 4.9% lower than national avg – 24th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.5% lower than national avg – 25th highest
• Population, 2022: 3,177,772

37. Minnesota

Source: skhoward / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.60
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.80, 7.2% lower than national avg price – 21st lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $57,359, 2.7% higher than national avg – 16th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.6% lower than national avg – 19th highest
• Population, 2022: 5,717,184

36. Utah

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.67
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.39, 15.1% lower than national avg price – 7th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,632, 11.1% lower than national avg – 15th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 5.4% lower than national avg – 25th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,380,800

35. North Dakota

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.67
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.39, 4.3% higher than national avg price – 17th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $58,659, 5.1% higher than national avg – 13th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.9% lower than national avg – 11th lowest
• Population, 2022: 779,261

34. Oklahoma

Source: angstdei / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.79
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,398, 11.5% lower than national avg – 12th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.7% lower than national avg – 8th lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,019,800

33. Louisiana

Source: sfe-co2 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.89
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $48,882, 12.4% lower than national avg – 9th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.7% lower than national avg – 13th lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,590,241

32. Virginia

Source: Alexandre Tziripouloff / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.93
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.99, 3.5% lower than national avg price – 24th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $57,789, 3.5% higher than national avg – 15th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.3% higher than national avg – 13th highest
• Population, 2022: 8,683,619

31. Tennessee

Source: jjbers / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $4.94
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.09, 1.5% lower than national avg price – 25th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,262, 6.4% lower than national avg – 22nd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.1% lower than national avg – 10th lowest
• Population, 2022: 7,051,339

30. Connecticut

Source: carminesalvatore / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.04
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.09, 17.8% higher than national avg price – 6th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $69,247, 24.0% higher than national avg – 2nd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.6% higher than national avg – 11th highest
• Population, 2022: 3,626,205

29. Kentucky

Source: JerryGrugin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.07
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.69, 9.3% lower than national avg price – 17th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,016, 17.6% lower than national avg – 4th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.9% lower than national avg – 3rd lowest
• Population, 2022: 4,512,310

28. Michigan

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.79, 7.4% lower than national avg price – 20th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,256, 11.8% lower than national avg – 10th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 5.7% lower than national avg – 24th lowest
• Population, 2022: 10,034,118

27. New York

Source: wallix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.12
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.29, 2.3% higher than national avg price – 21st highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $63,118, 13.0% higher than national avg – 7th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.5% higher than national avg – 3rd highest
• Population, 2022: 19,677,151

26. Alabama

Source: toddmedia / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.13
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.70, 9.1% lower than national avg price – 18th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $45,079, 19.3% lower than national avg – 3rd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 11.9% lower than national avg – 2nd lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,074,296

25. Maryland

Source: mdgovpics / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.19
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.19, 0.4% higher than national avg price – 22nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $59,307, 6.2% higher than national avg – 12th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.2% higher than national avg – 7th highest
• Population, 2022: 6,164,660

24. Colorado

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.20
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.69, 10.1% higher than national avg price – 11th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,984, 12.8% higher than national avg – 8th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.0% higher than national avg – 10th highest
• Population, 2022: 5,839,926

23. Montana

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.31
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.19, 0.4% higher than national avg price – 22nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,936, 10.6% lower than national avg – 17th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.4% lower than national avg – 15th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,122,867

22. New Jersey

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.36
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.79, 12.0% higher than national avg price – 10th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $65,844, 17.9% higher than national avg – 3rd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.1% higher than national avg – 4th highest
• Population, 2022: 9,261,699

21. Oregon

Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.39
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.00, 3.3% lower than national avg price – 25th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $53,361, 4.4% lower than national avg – 23rd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.0% higher than national avg – 9th highest
• Population, 2022: 4,240,137

20. Texas

Source: typhoonski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.36, 3.7% higher than national avg price – 19th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,488, 2.4% lower than national avg – 22nd highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.5% lower than national avg – 18th highest
• Population, 2022: 30,029,572

19. New Mexico

Source: gnagel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.41
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.99, 3.5% lower than national avg price – 24th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,270, 17.1% lower than national avg – 6th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.1% lower than national avg – 6th lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,113,344

18. South Carolina

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.48
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.89, 5.4% lower than national avg price – 22nd lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,720, 16.3% lower than national avg – 7th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.3% lower than national avg – 22nd lowest
• Population, 2022: 5,282,634

17. West Virginia

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.52
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $4.79, 7.4% lower than national avg price – 20th lowest
• Disposable income, 2022: $43,972, 21.2% lower than national avg – 2nd lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 9.2% lower than national avg – 9th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,775,156

16. New Hampshire

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.55
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $64,826, 16.1% higher than national avg – 5th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.5% higher than national avg – 12th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,395,231

15. Georgia

Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.56
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.15, 0.4% lower than national avg price – 24th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,538, 11.3% lower than national avg – 14th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.2% lower than national avg – 24th highest
• Population, 2022: 10,912,876

14. Delaware

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.69
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.49, 6.2% higher than national avg price – 14th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,591, 5.8% lower than national avg – 25th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.3% lower than national avg – 20th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,018,396

13. Idaho

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.77
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.39, 4.3% higher than national avg price – 17th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $47,859, 14.3% lower than national avg – 8th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.2% lower than national avg – 17th lowest
• Population, 2022: 1,939,033

12. California

Source: Allard1 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.82
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.89, 13.9% higher than national avg price – 9th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $63,219, 13.2% higher than national avg – 6th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 11.8% higher than national avg – 2nd highest
• Population, 2022: 39,029,342

11. Illinois

Source: blanscape / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.90
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.09, 17.8% higher than national avg price – 6th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $58,437, 4.7% higher than national avg – 14th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.4% higher than national avg – 16th highest
• Population, 2022: 12,582,032

10. Missouri

Source: kzoocowboy / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.92
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.69, 10.1% higher than national avg price – 11th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,367, 11.6% lower than national avg – 11th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 8.0% lower than national avg – 18th lowest
• Population, 2022: 6,177,957

9. Arkansas

Source: peeterv / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $5.93
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.49, 6.2% higher than national avg price – 14th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $46,218, 17.2% lower than national avg – 5th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 10.6% lower than national avg – 4th lowest
• Population, 2022: 3,045,637

8. Rhode Island

Source: jjbers / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.06
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.99, 15.9% higher than national avg price – 8th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $56,289, 0.8% higher than national avg – 17th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.1% higher than national avg – 14th highest
• Population, 2022: 1,093,734

7. Massachusetts

Source: jjbers / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.09
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $7.09, 37.1% higher than national avg price – the highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $69,316, 24.2% higher than national avg – the highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 6.6% higher than national avg – 6th highest
• Population, 2022: 6,981,974

6. Arizona

Source: FiledIMAGE / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.10
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.59, 8.1% higher than national avg price – 13th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $49,493, 11.4% lower than national avg – 13th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 3.3% lower than national avg – 22nd highest
• Population, 2022: 7,359,197

5. Alaska

Source: Ruth Peterkin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.11
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.50, 25.7% higher than national avg price – 2nd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $62,045, 11.1% higher than national avg – 10th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 4.4% higher than national avg – 8th highest
• Population, 2022: 733,583

4. Mississippi

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.23
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.40, 4.4% higher than national avg price – 16th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $41,887, 25.0% lower than national avg – the lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 13.4% lower than national avg – the lowest
• Population, 2022: 2,940,057

3. Vermont

Source: 91689877@N03 / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.33
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $54,714, 2.0% lower than national avg – 20th highest
• Cost of living, 2021: 1.3% lower than national avg – 17th highest
• Population, 2022: 647,064

2. Hawaii

Source: jewhyte / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.39
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $5.31, 2.7% higher than national avg price – 20th highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,515, 5.9% lower than national avg – 24th lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 13.2% higher than national avg – the highest
• Population, 2022: 1,440,196

1. Maine

Source: huddleston / Flickr

• “True cost” of a Big Mac considering income and cost of living: $6.54
• Actual price of a Big Mac, Aug 2023: $6.29, 21.7% higher than national avg price – 3rd highest
• Disposable income, 2022: $52,236, 6.4% lower than national avg – 21st lowest
• Cost of living, 2021: 2.8% lower than national avg – 21st highest
• Population, 2022: 1,385,340

Methodology

To identify the “true cost” of a Big Mac in each state, 24/7 Wall St. adjusted the average Big Mac price in each state by the state’s disposable income per capita (income after taxes) and cost of living (based on regional price parities). In other words, considering income, taxes, cost and living, and actual Big Mac price in each state — we calculated the true cost of Big Mac. The 50 states were ranked by the “true cost” of a Big Mac.

Big Mac prices for each state and the national average price of $5.17 came from Zippia’s How Much A Big Mac Costs In Every State and are as of August 2023. Disposable income per capita figures, which are income per capita figures after taxes, are for 2022 and came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national per capita disposable income was $55,832 that year. Regional price parities for 2021, which express the cost of living in the state, are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Population data came from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. We should note the idea came from Pantry and Larder, though we took a different approach.