TheHow much does a Big Mac cost around the world?
On our lists, a Big Mac costs between about $5.55 and $8.32 in the eleven countries where we have a clean, recent price. The cheapest is the UK and the dearest is Ireland. The middle price is about $7.41, which is what a Big Mac costs in Italy.
Our Fast-Food Price Index shows every country side by side. This guide explains what the numbers say and how to read them.
Big Mac prices by country
| Country | Big Mac | In US dollars | Compared with the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £4.19 | $5.55 | 7% cheaper |
| US | $5.99 | $5.99 | — |
| Canada | C$8.69 | $6.14 | 3% dearer |
| Colombia | COP 22,900 | $6.92 | 16% dearer |
| Mexico | MX$129 | $7.29 | 22% dearer |
| Italy | €6.50 | $7.41 | 24% dearer |
| Australia | A$10.75 | $7.56 | 26% dearer |
| France | €6.95 | $7.93 | 32% dearer |
| Netherlands | €7.00 | $7.98 | 33% dearer |
| Spain | €7.05 | $8.04 | 34% dearer |
| Ireland | €7.30 | $8.32 | 39% dearer |
Dollar figures use exchange rates from 25–26 September 2026.
Two countries are missing from this table on purpose. Our Thai price (฿145, about $4.35) comes from a 2025 listing that we haven't re-checked yet. Our German price (€7.50, about $8.55) comes from a list that looks like delivery-app pricing, which is usually higher than the restaurant price, so we've left it out until we have a restaurant price. The index page shows both, clearly marked.
Why is the UK Big Mac so cheap?
At £4.19, the UK Big Mac is cheaper in dollars than the American one. That surprises a lot of people, because eating out in the UK isn't cheap in general.
Price data alone can't tell us why, but two things are worth knowing. The UK price includes 20% VAT, while the US price leaves out sales tax, so the gap at the till is wider still. And the UK figure comes from a menu-price site, not one branch, so some London restaurants will charge more.
Does the US price include tax?
No, and that matters for any comparison. US and Canadian menu prices are before sales tax. Everywhere else in the table, the price on the menu is what you pay.
Add Texas's average rate of 8.2% and a US Big Mac costs $6.48. In a high-tax state such as Louisiana, it's about $6.60. Our sales tax calculator works it out for any state.
Is this the same as The Economist's Big Mac Index?
It's inspired by it, but it isn't the same thing. The Economist has used the Big Mac since 1986 to compare currencies, because the burger is broadly the same everywhere. Its index asks whether a currency is over- or undervalued.
Ours is simpler. It answers a traveller's question: how much will a Big Mac cost me in this country, roughly, in dollars? We use our own sourced menu prices and a dated set of exchange rates. We don't adjust for wages or living costs.
How should you read the index?
Keep three things in mind:
- Prices vary by branch. McDonald's restaurants are mostly franchised, so city-centre, airport and delivery prices can be higher than our figures. Read why the same burger costs different amounts.
- Exchange rates move. A 5% swing in a currency moves its dollar price by 5%, even if the menu doesn't change. Our currency converter has the rates we use.
- Dates matter. Every row links to a menu page that shows when we last checked it. Older prices are more likely to be out of date.
What's next for the index?
We'll add Germany and Thailand back to the clean list once we have current prices from a real menu. As we re-check other countries, the index updates automatically, because it reads straight from our menu pages. If you spot a price that looks wrong, tell us and we'll check it.