Why are McDonald's prices becoming unaffordable for low-income families?

McDonald's prices have risen 40% since 2019, outpacing the current inflation rate of around 3%, making even basic items like Happy Meals prohibitively expensive for some low-income households.

How has McDonald's customer base changed?

While McDonald's has lost significant traffic from its core low-income customer base, the chain has gained nearly as much traffic from high-earning customers, reflecting a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots.

What is the impact of rising prices on McDonald's business?

The rising prices at McDonald's have priced out many of the chain's traditional low-income customers, forcing them to tighten their budgets and seek more affordable dining options.

Home / Business and Economy / McDonald's "Dollar Menu" Pricing Leaves Low-Income Families Behind

McDonald's "Dollar Menu" Pricing Leaves Low-Income Families Behind

18 Nov

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Summary

McDonald's "Dollar Menu" no longer affordable for many low-income families
Prices at McDonald's have risen 40% since 2019, outpacing inflation
Wealthier customers now make up for lost traffic from lower-income households

McDonald's "Dollar Menu" Pricing Leaves Low-Income Families Behind

As of November 2025, McDonald's, once a go-to for low-income families, has become too expensive for many of its core customers. The fast-food giant introduced its "Dollar Menu" in the early 2000s, catering to households with limited budgets. However, over the years, the menu evolved into the "Dollar Menu & More," and prices continued to swell, eventually pricing out the chain's original customer base.

According to the report, the average price of a McDonald's menu item has risen 40% from 2019 to 2024, with a Big Mac now costing $5.29 compared to $4.39 in 2019. Even the iconic Happy Meal has become "prohibitively expensive for some people," as analyst Adam Josephson noted. This trend reflects a broader economic shift, where wealthier Americans are spending more freely, while those on tighter budgets are forced to tighten their purse strings.