How Much Should A Burger, Fries And Drink Cost In Rockford?

DoorDash Cheeseburger Index Shows Rising Midwest Fast-Food Prices

DoorDash just dropped a new Cheeseburger Index comparing the prices of a cheeseburger, fries, and a pop across the U.S.

Only one nearby city made the list, which is not good for us in Illinois and much of the Midwest. That news is essentially saying we're paying too much for a burger and fries in these parts of the country.

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burger with ham and cheese

How Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison Compare on Fast-Food Costs

For example, Milwaukee charges an average of $15.53 for a burger, fries, and a drink. Chicago is more expensive at $16.65, but Madison is shockingly more costly than both at $18.32.

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burger with lettuce and tomatoes

Estimating the Cost of a Burger Combo in Rockford

These steep prices got me thinking about how much that same meal would cost on average in Rockford. Probably safe to say that Forest City restaurants have lower operating costs than those in Chicago, Madison, and even Milwaukee, so I'd be a little surprised to see it above any of them. Probably just below or at $15, which would put us around Detroit, one of the cheaper cities in DoorDash's study.

Alas, Rockford is not involved, so those guesses are just estimates, but it's fun to think about, especially when we've got some pretty decent burger joints in the area.

The cheapest city in America for a burger, fries, and a drink is Austin, Texas. That combo meal is going for $12.94 on average. Only three other cities charged under $15 for the cheeseburger combo. See the list here.