Composite history

Burger Cost by City

Name: Burger Cost by City
Creator: CostInflation
License: https://costinflation.com/terms

Burger Cost by City: CostInflation tracks the grocery cost of ingredients for one double-patty burger, including buns, beef, American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and condiments.

Burger Cost by City tracks 1 double-patty burger serving model prices across observed CostInflation markets, with city trends, latest ranges, daily history, and methodology context.

Latest range

$4.81 to $6.27

Jul 15, 2026

This page tracks the grocery cost of building one double-patty burger from retail ingredients. It is designed for readers who want the headline basket, then a clear path into the ingredient pages that explain why one city or week moved.

Basket, not restaurant menu

The Burger Cost by City line models a grocery basket for buns, beef, American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and relish. It is not a restaurant menu price or a prepared-food index.

Ingredient pages explain the move

The component pages show whether the basket is moving because of the core ingredients, the produce shelf, or smaller condiments. That keeps the cornerstone page useful without hiding the drivers behind one blended number.

Best use

Use this page to compare the full burger basket across cities, then use the component links to check whether a city gap is broad-based or concentrated in one ingredient.

Get the monthly Burger Index report

Email CostInflation to ask for the next monthly Burger Index report. The request uses your email only to respond and send requested updates.

Get the monthly Burger Index report

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Tracked cities Change (%)

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Burger Cost Components

See how each component contributes to the composite and how prices are moving across tracked cities.

Location

Tracked cities: 12
Components: 10

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -1.8%; -$0.09 index points
Total composite change: -$0.09; from $4.90 to $4.81

How components built the composite change

Start$4.90

Hamburger bun-$0.11-2.3%
American cheese-$0.09-1.7%
Lettuce+$0.04+0.8%
Beef patties+$0.04+0.7%
Onions+$0.03+0.7%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.2%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickles$0.00-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$4.81

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.04+1.4%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.09-10.9%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.11-12.3%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.04+20.4%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00-3.1%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.03+36.8%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+15.2%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-7.3%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+1.9%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+20.0%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -1.0%; -$0.05 index points
Total composite change: -$0.05; from $4.93 to $4.88

How components built the composite change

Start$4.93

Hamburger bun-$0.10-2.0%
American cheese-$0.10-1.9%
Lettuce+$0.08+1.6%
Beef patties+$0.03+0.7%
Onions+$0.02+0.4%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.2%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Pickles$0.000.0%
Ketchup$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$4.88

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.03+1.4%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.10-12.3%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.10-9.9%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.08+33.5%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00-1.9%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.02+20.6%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+11.8%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-3.4%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00-2.1%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+29.4%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -0.8%; -$0.05 index points
Total composite change: -$0.05; from $6.25 to $6.21

How components built the composite change

Start$6.25

Lettuce+$0.17+2.7%
Beef patties-$0.09-1.5%
Hamburger bun-$0.09-1.4%
American cheese-$0.07-1.1%
Onions+$0.02+0.4%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.2%
Pickles$0.00-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Ketchup$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$6.21

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	-$0.09-3.0%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.07-8.6%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.09-5.6%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.17+48.1%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00-2.8%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.02+21.3%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+15.6%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-1.6%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.000.0%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+34.5%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -0.1%; -$0.01 index points
Total composite change: -$0.01; from $6.20 to $6.19

How components built the composite change

Start$6.20

American cheese-$0.07-1.2%
Lettuce+$0.04+0.7%
Beef patties-$0.04-0.7%
Onions+$0.03+0.5%
Hamburger bun+$0.02+0.4%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.3%
Pickles-$0.01-0.1%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$6.19

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	-$0.04-1.4%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.07-8.7%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	+$0.02+1.6%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.04+12.7%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	-$0.01-4.6%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.03+25.0%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+19.5%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-5.6%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+1.7%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+28.3%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -2.0%; -$0.10 index points
Total composite change: -$0.10; from $4.99 to $4.89

How components built the composite change

Start$4.99

American cheese-$0.13-2.5%
Lettuce+$0.12+2.4%
Hamburger bun-$0.09-1.9%
Beef patties-$0.03-0.5%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.3%
Onions+$0.01+0.2%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickles$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$4.89

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	-$0.03-1.0%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.13-16.3%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.09-10.0%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.12+49.1%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00+1.3%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.01+10.1%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+19.7%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-4.4%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+0.3%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+30.3%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -0.3%; -$0.02 index points
Total composite change: -$0.02; from $6.29 to $6.27

How components built the composite change

Start$6.29

American cheese-$0.07-1.2%
Lettuce+$0.05+0.8%
Hamburger bun-$0.04-0.7%
Onions+$0.03+0.5%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.3%
Pickles-$0.01-0.2%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Beef patties$0.00+0.1%
Ketchup$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$6.27

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	$0.00+0.1%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.07-8.7%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.04-2.5%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.05+9.8%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	-$0.01-6.1%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.03+31.8%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+21.3%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-3.2%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+1.7%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+43.4%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): +0.5%; +$0.03 index points
Total composite change: +$0.03; from $5.13 to $5.16

How components built the composite change

Start$5.13

American cheese-$0.09-1.7%
Lettuce+$0.05+1.0%
Beef patties+$0.03+0.6%
Onions+$0.03+0.5%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.3%
Hamburger bun-$0.01-0.2%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Mustard$0.000.0%
Pickles$0.000.0%

End$5.16

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.03+1.2%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.09-11.6%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.01-0.7%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.05+19.1%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00-1.2%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.03+32.4%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+21.0%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-8.5%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+5.3%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+27.7%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): +2.2%; +$0.11 index points
Total composite change: +$0.11; from $5.02 to $5.13

How components built the composite change

Start$5.02

Beef patties+$0.13+2.7%
Lettuce+$0.11+2.2%
American cheese-$0.09-1.8%
Hamburger bun-$0.09-1.7%
Onions+$0.02+0.5%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.3%
Ketchup-$0.01-0.1%
Pickles+$0.01+0.1%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$5.13

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.13+5.3%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.09-11.2%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.09-9.1%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.11+30.2%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	+$0.01+5.4%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.02+25.9%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+18.7%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	-$0.01-9.6%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+0.5%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+28.2%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -2.6%; -$0.13 index points
Total composite change: -$0.13; from $4.98 to $4.85

How components built the composite change

Start$4.98

Hamburger bun-$0.18-3.7%
American cheese-$0.08-1.6%
Lettuce+$0.07+1.4%
Beef patties+$0.03+0.5%
Onions+$0.02+0.4%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.4%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.000.0%
Pickles$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$4.85

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.03+1.0%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.08-10.3%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.18-17.4%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.07+33.8%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00+0.4%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.02+22.2%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+24.4%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-5.5%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00-0.5%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+23.3%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): +1.9%; +$0.10 index points
Total composite change: +$0.10; from $4.96 to $5.06

How components built the composite change

Start$4.96

Lettuce+$0.17+3.3%
American cheese-$0.09-1.9%
Onions+$0.02+0.5%
Beef patties-$0.02-0.5%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.3%
Hamburger bun+$0.01+0.1%
Pickle relish$0.00+0.1%
Ketchup$0.00-0.1%
Pickles$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$5.06

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	-$0.02-0.9%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.09-11.9%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	+$0.01+0.7%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.17+66.1%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00+1.6%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.02+27.2%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+17.5%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-5.7%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00-0.5%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+30.3%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): +1.3%; +$0.06 index points
Total composite change: +$0.06; from $4.85 to $4.92

How components built the composite change

Start$4.85

American cheese-$0.09-1.8%
Lettuce+$0.08+1.7%
Hamburger bun+$0.05+1.0%
Onions+$0.04+0.8%
Beef patties-$0.02-0.3%
Mayonnaise+$0.01+0.2%
Pickles-$0.01-0.2%
Ketchup-$0.01-0.1%
Pickle relish$0.000.0%
Mustard$0.000.0%

End$4.92

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	-$0.02-0.6%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.09-10.8%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	+$0.05+5.6%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.08+34.2%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	-$0.01-6.9%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.04+44.9%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.01+12.4%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	-$0.01-9.5%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00-0.8%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+10.9%

Composite driver summary

Change in composite (30d): -1.7%; -$0.09 index points
Total composite change: -$0.09; from $4.96 to $4.88

How components built the composite change

Start$4.96

Hamburger bun-$0.09-1.9%
American cheese-$0.08-1.5%
Onions+$0.04+0.8%
Mayonnaise+$0.02+0.3%
Lettuce+$0.01+0.2%
Beef patties+$0.01+0.2%
Pickles$0.00+0.1%
Mustard$0.000.0%
Pickle relish$0.000.0%
Ketchup$0.000.0%

End$4.88

Index components for Burger Cost by City
Component (quantity)	Weight	Latest contribution (30 days)
Beef patties1 lb beef	36.6%	+$0.01+0.4%
American cheese8 slices	22.9%	-$0.08-9.7%
Hamburger bun10 buns	18.3%	-$0.09-10.5%
Lettuce1 unit-priced lettuce item	9.2%	+$0.01+5.0%
Pickles16 fl oz pickles	5.7%	$0.00+4.0%
Onions1 lb onions	3.7%	+$0.04+46.8%
Mayonnaise30 fl oz mayonnaise	1.2%	+$0.02+18.8%
Ketchup20 oz ketchup	0.9%	$0.00-1.2%
Mustard12 oz mustard	0.8%	$0.00+3.7%
Pickle relish12 fl oz relish	0.8%	$0.00+7.4%

Use the component pages to inspect the member price series behind this index.

Hamburger Bun Price Index, Trends and History

Hamburger bun listings normalized to a 10-bun retail package-equivalent.

10 buns

Beef Patty Price Index, Trends and History

Ground beef listings normalized to one pound of raw beef.

1 lb beef

American Cheese Price Index, Trends and History

American cheese slice listings normalized to an 8-slice retail package-equivalent.

8 slices

Lettuce Price Index, Trends and History

Lettuce listings normalized to one unit-priced lettuce item.

1 unit-priced lettuce item

Onion Price Index, Trends and History

Fresh common onion listings normalized to one pound of onions.

1 lb onions

Pickle Price Index, Trends and History

Pickle listings normalized to a 16-fluid-ounce jar-equivalent.

16 fl oz pickles

Mayonnaise Price Index, Trends and History

Mayonnaise listings normalized to a 30-fluid-ounce container-equivalent.

30 fl oz mayonnaise

Ketchup Price Index, Trends and History

Ketchup listings normalized to a 20-ounce bottle-equivalent.

20 oz ketchup

Mustard Price Index, Trends and History

Mustard listings normalized to a 12-ounce bottle-equivalent.

12 oz mustard

Pickle Relish Price Index, Trends and History

Pickle relish listings normalized to a 12-fluid-ounce jar-equivalent.

12 fl oz relish

Burger Cost Methodology

CostInflation's Representative Price Index for 1 double-patty burger serving model is our daily estimate of the typical shelf price shoppers are seeing, based on observed retail listings that are cleaned up and made comparable before they are averaged into one public number. We reduce the influence of unusual one-off prices so the index reflects the middle of the market, then combine component prices using the index's standard package sizes and weights. Charts can also show lower band, medium band and upper band.

Cite this data

CostInflation, "Burger Cost by City" [burger_index], CostInflation price history, https://costinflation.com/indices/burger-cost-by-city.

Latest observation: Jul 15, 2026. Updated: Jul 15, 2026. Coverage: Tracked cities.

CSV JSON Data partners

Recent CostInflation articles that explain movement in this series.

CostInflation Burger Index July 2026: Jackson Stayed High

CostInflation Burger Index July 2026 put North Jackson at $6.68 and San Jose at $4.88, a $1.80 gap led mostly by buns, lettuce, and beef.

Burger Index: Jackson Cost $1.55 More Than Chicago

On June 13, the Burger Index put North Jackson at $6.36 and North Center/Avondale Chicago at $4.81; buns, lettuce, and beef created most of the gap.

Burger Cost by City

What this burger cost page answers

Basket, not restaurant menu

Ingredient pages explain the move

Best use

Get the monthly Burger Index report

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Burger Cost Components

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Composite driver summary

How components built the composite change

Burger Cost Methodology

Cite this data

See CostInflation more often in Google Search

Burger Cost by City

What this burger cost page answers

Basket, not restaurant menu

Ingredient pages explain the move

Best use

Get the monthly Burger Index report