10 Beloved McDonald’s Menu Items That Were Totally Affected by Inflation

A visit to the Golden Arches might make it hard to stretch your fast food budget these days. In the last decade alone, the prices of McDonald’s menu items have increased an average of 100%, nearly triple the actual inflation rate.

FinanceBuzz recently conducted a study on the price increases at top fast-food chains from 2014 to 2024, finding that McDonald’s prices rose the most in that time span.

While this may be due to inflation and increased ingredient costs, management has also cited increased labor costs.

Check out these 10 beloved menu items that have been most affected by inflation.

Whether grabbing a cold beverage right after school, nabbing a fresh-tasting Sprite when feeling nauseous, or fending off this hot weather, McDonald’s beverages have been a staple in many households for decades.

However, since 2014, the price of a medium drink at McDonald’s has increased by 25%. You used to be able to get a soft drink of that size for around $1.29, but it now averages $1.61 nationally.

When you think of McDonald’s, the Big Mac is probably the first thing that comes to mind. 

It's one of the chain’s flagship products, made up of two beef patties, onions, pickles, lettuce, cheese, and McDonald’s “special sauce.” It comes on a seeded bun and has been one of the most beloved fast-food staples since the mid-1960s.

Ten years ago, you could enjoy a Big Mac for $3.99. Now the burger alone averages $5.99 nationwide, a 50% increase in price that all but encourages you to go ahead and make it a combo.

The Filet-O-Fish is the first addition to McDonald’s original menu. The fan-favorite sandwich, which was released in 1965, consists of a fish patty, American cheese, and tartar sauce on a bun.

Many people consider it a tried-and-true staple during Lent and a great option year-round. This is especially true because of McDonald’s commitment to improving the quality of the fish it serves and to its Sustainable Fisheries Program.

This menu item has seen a 57% price bump since 2014, landing at $5.49 instead of its original average of $3.49.

Knowing that Happy Meals have been affected by inflation almost makes it worse. The 4-Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal has seen a 67% increase in price in the last decade, to $4.99 from $2.99.

McDonald’s has undergone some upgrades, choosing in 2020 to improve ingredients and cut calories in Happy Meals. 

This meal now comes with a small bag of preserved cut apples, four McNuggets, a tiny order of fries, a toy, and your choice of milk, chocolate milk, water, or organic apple juice.

Unfortunately, the adult classic 10-piece Chicken McNuggets Meal has experienced an even higher price increase in the same 10 years.

While you used to be able to nab 10 McNuggets alongside a medium fry and drink for just $5.99, you won’t enjoy it for under $10 now. The 83% increase puts the national average cost of this meal at a whopping $10.99.

It can be hit or miss whether your local McDonald’s ice cream machine is in working order. But when it is, it's glorious. The sad news, however, is that ice cream desserts have decreased in size pretty substantially over the last 10 years.

In addition, the quintessential McFlurry with Oreo Cookies has increased in price to $4.49 from $2.39 in that time. That’s an 88% price hike on the creamy dessert.

In 1971, the Quarter Pounder was invented by a franchisee dead set on competing directly with Burger King’s Whopper sandwich. It was so popular that the chain picked it up as a main menu item.

In 2014, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal at McDonald’s was $5.39. Today, that same meal has an average price of $11.99, 122% more expensive.

Medium fries have seen a 133% increase in price over the last 10 years. The salty snack was once available for $1.59 for a nice-sized box, but that same medium size is now $3.79.

Pro tip: To save money, you’re better off ordering a value meal that includes a medium or large fry than purchasing the fries alone.

Some of the best items on the value menus of yesteryear have experienced the greatest increase in price over the last decade. If you’re on a budget, purchasing à la carte will certainly blow it.

One of the biggest offenders is the McDouble, which consists of one slice of American cheese placed between two buns, two thin beef patties, and pickles.

Where you could get the McDouble on the $1 menu for $1.19 all-in on average in 2014, you will now be charged $3.19 or more. If you are lucky, you might happen upon a “buy one, get one for $1” deal on some of these favorites.

One of the best snacking items on the value menu was McDonald’s McChicken sandwich. A toasted wheat bun holds a breaded chicken patty, lettuce, and mayonnaise.

A decade ago, these were on the menu for an affordable $1. Now, you’ll be paying about $2.99 for the same product, having made no significant changes or upgrades to the ingredients.

If your favorite McDonald’s combo seems more expensive, that’s because it probably is. There has been so much recent backlash against the price hikes that McDonald’s and other chains are introducing different meal deals and cheaper menu options.

You can save money when you eat out by choosing items that haven’t been as affected by inflation or trying one of the aforementioned meal deals. You can use one of the best cash back credit cards to earn cash every time you dine out.