McDonald’s burger prices vary a whopping 74 percent depending on where you live

McDonald’s newest oversized burger is drawing attention across the country — not just for its size, but for how much its price can vary depending on where customers order it.

The fast-food giant recently introduced the Big Arch in the U.S., a limited-time menu item featuring two quarter-pound beef patties, white cheddar cheese, crispy and slivered onions, lettuce, pickles and a signature sauce on a sesame and poppy seed bun.

A survey by NeoMam Studios of more than 450 McDonald’s locations, reported by Time Out, reveals significant price differences across the country. The burger costs as little as $7.46 in Columbia, South Carolina, but climbs to $12.99 at a Lewiston, Maine location, a nearly 74 percent difference.

State-level averages show similar variation, with Alaska ranking as the most expensive overall at about $10.32, while Oklahoma averages $8.05, and Texas and Indiana are slightly higher at roughly $8.

Other high-cost states include Washington, Hawaii and Arizona, where the Big Arch typically approaches or exceeds $10. These differences can be attributed to regional factors such as higher transportation and operating costs, as well as McDonald’s franchise pricing flexibility.

Designed as a “heartier” menu option, the Big Arch burger was first tested internationally in early 2024 in countries including Canada, Germany, Portugal, France and Switzerland. It officially launched in the U.S. on March 3, following widespread attention when McDonald’s CEO and Chairman Chris Kempczinski posted a video of himself attempting to eat it — a clip that has since gone viral and been widely mocked.

In the video, Kempczinski awkwardly struggles to bite the oversized burger, curiously calling it a “product.” The clip quickly sparked a trend, with CEOs from rival chains, including Burger King, Wendy’s and KFC, filming themselves attempting their own menu items.

The Big Arch is McDonald’s largest burger in the U.S., containing 1,020 calories and 53 grams of protein. A full Big Arch Meal, which includes a medium Coke and medium fries, totals 1,610 calories, according to the company.