Fast food prices in California
California ranks 49th cheapest of 51 states for fast food on the Drive Thru Index (score 118, 18% above the national typical price).
4,930 restaurants, prices as of . See California on the map
Key findings
- A McDonald's Big Mac typically costs $6.89 in California ($5.39 to $8.99 across 1,238 restaurants). McDonald's here is 16% above its typical price in the US.
- A Burger King Whopper typically costs $7.89 in California ($6.59 to $9.99 across 447 restaurants). Burger King here is 17% above its typical price in the US.
- A Wendy's Dave's Single typically costs $7.29 in California ($6.59 to $8.79 across 292 restaurants). Wendy's here is 19% above its typical price in the US.
- A Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme typically costs $6.99 in California ($4.39 to $8.99 across 842 restaurants). Taco Bell here is 1% above its typical price in the US.
- A KFC Chicken Sandwich typically costs $6.19 in California ($5.29 to $12.99 across 344 restaurants). KFC here is 14% above its typical price in the US.
- A Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich typically costs $5.99 in California ($5.49 to $7.99 across 268 restaurants). Popeyes here is 18% above its typical price in the US.
- A Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich typically costs $6.49 in California ($5.79 to $6.99 across 217 restaurants). Chick-fil-A here is 24% above its typical price in the US.
- A Chipotle Chicken Burrito typically costs $10.67 in California ($9.20 to $12.10 across 532 restaurants). Chipotle here is 7% above its typical price in the US.
- A Jersey Mike's Original Italian typically costs $11.95 in California ($8.95 to $14.49 across 414 restaurants). Jersey Mike's here is 16% above its typical price in the US.
- A Firehouse Subs Hook & Ladder typically costs $12.99 in California ($11.85 to $15.99 across 51 restaurants). Firehouse Subs here is 26% above its typical price in the US.
- A Five Guys Hamburger typically costs $11.79 in California ($9.99 to $11.79 across 84 restaurants). Five Guys here is 13% above its typical price in the US.
- A A&W Papa Burger typically costs $6.69 in California ($5.99 to $8.49 across 7 restaurants). A&W here is 26% above its typical price in the US.
- A Shake Shack ShackBurger typically costs $7.99 in California ($7.99 to $8.49 across 55 restaurants). Shake Shack here is 5% above its typical price in the US.
- A Sonic Sonic Cheeseburger typically costs $6.79 in California ($5.89 to $7.19 across 80 restaurants). Sonic here is 32% above its typical price in the US.
- A Arby's Classic Roast Beef typically costs $6.69 in California ($5.39 to $9.24 across 59 restaurants). Arby's here is 28% above its typical price in the US.
The scoop
KFC takes the wildest California swingKFC has the biggest in-state spread: its priciest store is 96% above its cheapest. The basket runs from $26.47 in Mission Hills, CA to $51.97 at a travel plaza site in Universal City, CA.
Burger King lands near the pricey endBurger King ranks 48 of 50 states (1 = cheapest) in California. Its median basket is $19.16, 26% above the national typical price, with Ripon, CA at $14.56 and Oceanside, CA at $25.46.
Chick-fil-A stays tightly choreographedChick-fil-A is the most consistent brand on this map, with its priciest store just 10% above its cheapest. The basket goes from $33.88 in Chico, CA to $37.16 in Los Angeles, CA.
McDonald's has the biggest footprintMcDonald's is the restaurant-count champ here, with 1236 California locations compared. Its basket runs from $23.76 in Fresno, CA to $35.06 in Imperial, CA, and the state ranks 41 of 51 states (1 = cheapest).
Taco Bell is closest to typicalTaco Bell’s California median basket is $28.76, just 1% above the national typical price. The spread still has drama: $24.36 in Irvine, CA and $35.76 at a travel plaza site in Universal City, CA.
Every brand in California
| Brand | Restaurants | Typical price | Range | Index | Cheapest restaurant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | 1,238 | Big Mac: $6.89 | $5.39 to $8.99 | 116 | 5608 E Ashlan Ave, Fresno |
| Burger King | 447 | Whopper: $7.89 | $6.59 to $9.99 | 117 | 71707 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms |
| Wendy's | 292 | Dave's Single: $7.29 | $6.59 to $8.79 | 119 | 2620 Hilltop Dr., Redding |
| Taco Bell | 842 | Crunchwrap Supreme: $6.99 | $4.39 to $8.99 | 101 | Taco Bell Restaurant Support Center 1 Glen Bell Way, Irvine |
| KFC | 344 | Chicken Sandwich: $6.19 | $5.29 to $12.99 | 114 | 10865 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills |
| Popeyes | 268 | Classic Chicken Sandwich: $5.99 | $5.49 to $7.99 | 118 | 2801 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village |
| Chick-fil-A | 217 | Chicken Sandwich: $6.49 | $5.79 to $6.99 | 124 | 615 N Western Ave, Los Angeles |
| Chipotle | 532 | Chicken Burrito: $10.67 | $9.20 to $12.10 | 107 | 895 L St, Crescent City |
| Jersey Mike's | 414 | Original Italian: $11.95 | $8.95 to $14.49 | 116 | 1002 N Imperial Avenue, El Centro |
| Firehouse Subs | 51 | Hook & Ladder: $12.99 | $11.85 to $15.99 | 126 | 3700 California Avenue, Bakersfield |
| Five Guys | 84 | Hamburger: $11.79 | $9.99 to $11.79 | 113 | 78-445 Hwy. 111, La Quinta |
| A&W | 7 | Papa Burger: $6.69 | $5.99 to $8.49 | 126 | 203 S St, Hollister |
| Shake Shack | 55 | ShackBurger: $7.99 | $7.99 to $8.49 | 105 | 329 East 17th Street, Costa Mesa |
| Sonic | 80 | Sonic Cheeseburger: $6.79 | $5.89 to $7.19 | 132 | 1420 Mchenry Avenue, Modesto |
| Arby's | 59 | Classic Roast Beef: $6.69 | $5.39 to $9.24 | 128 | 913 W MANCHESTER BLVD, Inglewood |
Price history
Drive Thru Index has recorded these prices every day since 30 September 2026. Each figure is the typical (median) price across the brand's restaurants here on that day.
| Brand | Item | Today | 7 days ago | 30 days ago | 1 year ago | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | Big Mac | $6.89 | — | — | — | |
| Burger King | Whopper | $7.89 | — | — | — | |
| Wendy's | Dave's Single | $7.29 | — | — | — | |
| Taco Bell | Crunchwrap Supreme | $6.99 | — | — | — | |
| KFC | Chicken Sandwich | $6.19 | — | — | — | |
| Popeyes | Classic Chicken Sandwich | $5.99 | — | — | — | |
| Chick-fil-A | Chicken Sandwich | $6.49 | — | — | — | |
| Chipotle | Chicken Burrito | $10.67 | — | — | — | |
| Jersey Mike's | Original Italian | $11.95 | — | — | — | |
| Firehouse Subs | Hook & Ladder | $12.99 | — | — | — | |
| Five Guys | Hamburger | $11.79 | — | — | — | |
| A&W | Papa Burger | $6.69 | — | — | — | |
| Shake Shack | ShackBurger | $7.99 | — | — | — | |
| Sonic | Sonic Cheeseburger | $6.79 | — | — | — | |
| Arby's | Classic Roast Beef | $6.69 | — | — | — |
Cities in California
Rank is within the state, 1st being the cheapest, on each brand's own index.
Questions people ask
- Is fast food expensive in California?
- California ranks 49th cheapest of 51 states for fast food on the Drive Thru Index (score 118, 18% above the national typical price).
- How much is a McDonald's Big Mac in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Big Mac costs $5.39 to $8.99 at 1,238 McDonald's restaurants in California, typically $6.89.
- Where is the cheapest McDonald's in California?
- The cheapest McDonald's in California is at 5608 E Ashlan Ave, Fresno, comparing the same basket at 1,238 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Burger King Whopper in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Whopper costs $6.59 to $9.99 at 447 Burger King restaurants in California, typically $7.89.
- Where is the cheapest Burger King in California?
- The cheapest Burger King in California is at 71707 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, comparing the same basket at 443 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Wendy's Dave's Single in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Dave's Single costs $6.59 to $8.79 at 292 Wendy's restaurants in California, typically $7.29.
- Where is the cheapest Wendy's in California?
- The cheapest Wendy's in California is at 2620 Hilltop Dr., Redding, comparing the same basket at 286 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Crunchwrap Supreme costs $4.39 to $8.99 at 842 Taco Bell restaurants in California, typically $6.99.
- Where is the cheapest Taco Bell in California?
- The cheapest Taco Bell in California is at Taco Bell Restaurant Support Center 1 Glen Bell Way, Irvine, comparing the same basket at 841 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a KFC Chicken Sandwich in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Chicken Sandwich costs $5.29 to $12.99 at 344 KFC restaurants in California, typically $6.19.
- Where is the cheapest KFC in California?
- The cheapest KFC in California is at 10865 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, comparing the same basket at 343 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Classic Chicken Sandwich costs $5.49 to $7.99 at 268 Popeyes restaurants in California, typically $5.99.
- Where is the cheapest Popeyes in California?
- The cheapest Popeyes in California is at 2801 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, comparing the same basket at 262 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Chicken Sandwich costs $5.79 to $6.99 at 217 Chick-fil-A restaurants in California, typically $6.49.
- Where is the cheapest Chick-fil-A in California?
- The cheapest Chick-fil-A in California is at 615 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, comparing the same basket at 217 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Chipotle Chicken Burrito in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Chicken Burrito costs $9.20 to $12.10 at 532 Chipotle restaurants in California, typically $10.67.
- Where is the cheapest Chipotle in California?
- The cheapest Chipotle in California is at 895 L St, Crescent City, comparing the same basket at 524 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Jersey Mike's Original Italian in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Original Italian costs $8.95 to $14.49 at 414 Jersey Mike's restaurants in California, typically $11.95.
- Where is the cheapest Jersey Mike's in California?
- The cheapest Jersey Mike's in California is at 1002 N Imperial Avenue, El Centro, comparing the same basket at 403 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Firehouse Subs Hook & Ladder in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Hook & Ladder costs $11.85 to $15.99 at 51 Firehouse Subs restaurants in California, typically $12.99.
- Where is the cheapest Firehouse Subs in California?
- The cheapest Firehouse Subs in California is at 3700 California Avenue, Bakersfield, comparing the same basket at 49 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Five Guys Hamburger in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Hamburger costs $9.99 to $11.79 at 84 Five Guys restaurants in California, typically $11.79.
- Where is the cheapest Five Guys in California?
- The cheapest Five Guys in California is at 78-445 Hwy. 111, La Quinta, comparing the same basket at 81 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a A&W Papa Burger in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Papa Burger costs $5.99 to $8.49 at 7 A&W restaurants in California, typically $6.69.
- Where is the cheapest A&W in California?
- The cheapest A&W in California is at 203 S St, Hollister, comparing the same basket at 7 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Shake Shack ShackBurger in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a ShackBurger costs $7.99 to $8.49 at 55 Shake Shack restaurants in California, typically $7.99.
- Where is the cheapest Shake Shack in California?
- The cheapest Shake Shack in California is at 329 East 17th Street, Costa Mesa, comparing the same basket at 55 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Sonic Sonic Cheeseburger in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Sonic Cheeseburger costs $5.89 to $7.19 at 80 Sonic restaurants in California, typically $6.79.
- Where is the cheapest Sonic in California?
- The cheapest Sonic in California is at 1420 Mchenry Avenue, Modesto, comparing the same basket at 80 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
- How much is a Arby's Classic Roast Beef in California?
- As of 2026-10-01, a Classic Roast Beef costs $5.39 to $9.24 at 59 Arby's restaurants in California, typically $6.69.
- Where is the cheapest Arby's in California?
- The cheapest Arby's in California is at 913 W MANCHESTER BLVD, Inglewood, comparing the same basket at 54 restaurants (Drive Thru Index, 2026-10-01).
How these prices are measured
Every day we check the menu at every restaurant of each chain, through the same ordering app its customers use, and record each item's pickup price. Restaurants are compared on a basket of items every full-menu restaurant of that brand sells. An index of 100 is the brand's typical (median) restaurant in the country, so 95 means 5% cheaper and 110 means 10% pricier. Brands are only ever compared with themselves, never with each other.
Citing this data: Source: Drive Thru Index (https://drivethruindex.com/prices/california), prices checked 2026-10-01. You are welcome to quote any figure on this page.