McDonald's vs Burger King: Which Fast-Food Chain Is Cheaper in 2025-26?

Fast food prices have changed dramatically over the last five years. What used to be a cheap $5 lunch in 2018 now easily crosses $10–$12 in 2025. With rising costs everywhere — ingredients, labor, delivery fees — fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King have adjusted their prices more than ever before.

If you're someone who grabs a quick burger or fries a few times a week, these small price differences can add up fast. So the question becomes:

Which fast-food chain gives you better value for money in 2025 — McDonald's or Burger King?

I compared popular menu items from both chains using current pricing and customer data. Here’s what I found.

1. The Classic Battle: Whopper vs Big Mac

Let's start with the iconic items.

Whopper (Burger King)

The Whopper has always been a slightly bigger burger — more veggies, more beef, and usually more calories. But this often comes with a slightly higher price tag.

Big Mac (McDonald’s)

The Big Mac is iconic for its special sauce and layered bun but tends to be priced more consistently across locations.

Price Comparison (2025 Average)

Whopper: $6.79 – $8.29

Big Mac: $5.49 – $7.19

Across most states, the Big Mac is generally 50 cents to $1 cheaper than the Whopper.

For a current reference point, you can check updated McDonald’s menu prices here: <a href="https://www.w3schools.com">McDonald's menu prices 2025 - 26</a>

(Used as the pricing source for this comparison.)

2. Combo Meals: Who Gives Better Value?

Combo meals are where fast-food chains make most of their money — and the price gaps are interesting.

McDonald's Combo Meals (2025):

Big Mac Meal: $7.99 – $10.29

Quarter Pounder Meal: $8.49 – $11.29

Chicken McNuggets Meal: $7.39 – $9.99

Burger King Combo Meals (2025):

Whopper Meal: $8.49 – $11.49

Bacon King Meal: $9.99 – $12.79

Chicken Fries Meal: $7.99 – $9.99

Winner: McDonald’s (Slightly Cheaper Overall)

Across the most popular items, McDonald's tends to be $0.50 to $1.50 cheaper on combo meals.

The price difference becomes bigger if you order add-ons or upgrades.

3. Breakfast Prices: Who Saves You More in the Morning?

Breakfast is where McDonald's shines because it’s the category they perfected over decades.

McDonald's Breakfast (2025):

Sausage McMuffin: $1.99 – $2.79

Egg McMuffin: $3.89 – $4.79

Hash Brown: $1.39 – $2.39

Burger King Breakfast (2025):

Croissan’wich (Sausage): $3.19 – $4.19

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich: $3.29 – $4.49

Hash Browns: $1.69 – $2.79

Winner: McDonald’s Again

The difference per item is small, but consistently:

McDonald’s breakfast = cheaper

Burger King breakfast = bigger portions

If you value cost → McDonald’s wins.

If you value size → Burger King wins.

4. Chicken Items Comparison (Nuggets, Sandwiches, Wraps)

Chicken prices fluctuate a lot, but 2025 trends show:

McDonald's Chicken Items:

10-Piece Nuggets: $4.89 – $6.19

McChicken: $2.19 – $3.19

McCrispy Sandwich: $4.99 – $6.49

Burger King Chicken Items:

Chicken Fries: $4.89 – $6.99

Original Chicken Sandwich: $5.39 – $7.49

Crispy Chicken Sandwich: $6.49 – $7.99

Winner: McDonald's (Again, By a Solid Margin)

On average, McDonald's chicken items are 10–20% cheaper.

Burger King's chicken sandwiches are bigger — but the price difference is noticeable.

5. Value Menu: Who Still Has the Better Budget Options?

The old days of a true “Dollar Menu” are gone, but value items still exist.

McDonald's Value Menu:

Sausage McMuffin

McChicken

Small Fries

Any Size Soda (some states: $1–$1.39)

Burger King Value Menu:

Value Fries

Value Onion Rings

Rodeo Burger

Chicken Jr.

Winner: Tie — Depends on What You Order

McDonald's offers cheaper breakfast and chicken,

Burger King offers cheaper onion rings and beef-based value items.

6. App Deals: Big Savings from Both Sides

Both chains offer digital deals — but one clearly wins.

McDonald's App Deals (2025):

$1 large fries

20% off entire order

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Points → free burgers

Burger King App Deals (2025):

2 Whoppers for $6

$3–$4 snack bundles

Free fries daily with purchase

Winner: Burger King (Better Bundles), but McDonald's (More Everyday Deals)

If you want big food for cheap: Burger King deals win.

If you want consistent daily discounts: McDonald's app wins.

7. Final Cost Breakdown — Who Is Cheaper Overall?

Based on 2025 data:

Category

Winner

Why

Burgers

McDonald's

Lower base cost

Breakfast

McDonald's

Big price gap

Chicken Items

McDonald's

10–20% cheaper

Value Menu

Tie

Depends on item

App Deals

Tie

BK = big bundles, McD = daily deals

Portion Size

Burger King

Usually bigger

Final Verdict: McDonald's Is Cheaper in 2025 (But Burger King Gives More Food)

After comparing meals, individual items, breakfast, and value menus, the conclusion is clear:

✔ McDonald's is cheaper overall

✔ Burger King costs more but gives larger portions

✔ For daily savings, McDonald's wins

✔ For big promotional deals, Burger King wins

If you're strictly looking at cost, McDonald's still remains the more budget-friendly choice in 2025.

And if you ever want to check updated prices before ordering, here's the pricing source used for this article:

👉 <a href="https://www.w3schools.com">McDonald’s menu prices (latest updates)</a>