McDonald's on a budget: rules of thumb
- Under $5: stack small items instead of buying one sandwich — Double Cheeseburger gives 25 g of protein for $4.11. A Big Mac alone costs $6.22.
- Around $10: the most filling budget order is 4 pc. McCrispy Strips + Ranch Snack Wrap ($9.82, 58 g protein, 930 calories).
- $15–$20: big boxes win — 40 pc. Chicken McNuggets + 3 pc. McCrispy Strips for $19.74 feeds two people.
- Breakfast budget: before 10:30 AM, $5 buys Sausage McMuffin with Egg ($4.87).
McValue deals vs the budget finder
The finder uses regular menu prices. The McValue deals can beat them on a tight budget: the $5 McChicken Meal Deal (McChicken, 4 pc. McNuggets, small fries, small soft drink) and the $6 McDouble Meal Deal bundle items that would cost $12.01 at regular median prices for the McChicken version. The Under $3 Menu covers single items such as the McDouble and McChicken. Participation and prices vary by restaurant — see the McDonald's value menu for the current list.
Cheapest items for any budget
The lowest-priced food items at a typical US McDonald's: Apple Slices $1.25, a Chocolate Chip Cookie $1.42, the Baked Apple Pie $2.09, the Hamburger $2.51, the Cheeseburger $2.93 and the McChicken $3.02. For a budget order with real protein, the McDouble at $3.77 (22 g) is the best single item. More on McDouble price.
A budget can stretch further depending on where you live: the same basket costs $22.13 in Houston, TX and $36.42 in San Diego, CA. See McDonald's prices by city.
Most filling orders by budget
The combinations below give you the most protein — the best guide to how full you will be — for each budget, using up to three items.
Most protein for your money
| Budget | Order | Price | Protein | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | Double Cheeseburger | $4.11 | 25 g | 440 |
| $10 | 4 pc. McCrispy Strips + Ranch Snack Wrap | $9.82 | 58 g | 930 |
| $15 | 40 pc. Chicken McNuggets | $14.28 | 92 g | 1,650 |
| $20 | 40 pc. Chicken McNuggets + 3 pc. McCrispy Strips | $19.74 | 123 g | 2,050 |
Most food (calories) by budget
Most calories for your money
| Budget | Order | Price | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | Sausage Biscuit + Baked Apple Pie | $4.77 | 690 | 13 g |
| $10 | Big Breakfast with Hotcakes + Baked Apple Pie | $9.81 | 1,570 | 38 g |
| $15 | Sausage Biscuit + Big Breakfast + Big Breakfast | $14.94 | 2,580 | 63 g |
| $20 | Big Breakfast + Big Breakfast + Big Breakfast with Hotcakes | $19.98 | 3,460 | 88 g |
Feeding a family of four
Two adults and two children, everyone with a main, a side and a drink. The cheapest way we found costs about $24.02.
Family order: 2 adults + 2 kids
| Order | Typical total |
|---|---|
| 2 × Hot 'N Spicy McChicken Meal + 2 × Hamburger Happy Meal | $24.02 |
| 2 × Big Mac Meal + 2 × Hamburger Happy Meal | $30.76 |
| 20 pc. Chicken McNuggets + 2 × World Famous Fries + 2 × Coca-Cola + 2 × Hamburger Happy Meal | $31.38 |
How the finder works
We take the typical in-restaurant price of every item (the median of 78 restaurants, with the delivery markup removed) and test every combination of up to three items that fits your budget. "A proper meal" picks one main, one side and one drink — or the official meal deal when it is cheaper. Prices in your restaurant can differ by a few cents.
Paid a different price? Tell us
Two taps, no account, no email. We check every report and update the prices ourselves.
Frequently asked questions
What can I get at McDonald's for $5?
At typical in-restaurant prices, the most filling $5 budget order is Double Cheeseburger ($4.11, 25 g protein). For the most calories: Sausage Biscuit + Baked Apple Pie ($4.77).
What can I get at McDonald's for $10?
The most protein for a $10 budget is 4 pc. McCrispy Strips + Ranch Snack Wrap ($9.82, 58 g). For the most food: Big Breakfast with Hotcakes + Baked Apple Pie (1,570 calories).
What can I get at McDonald's for $15?
40 pc. Chicken McNuggets for $14.28, with 92 g of protein.
What can I get at McDonald's for $20?
40 pc. Chicken McNuggets + 3 pc. McCrispy Strips for $19.74 — enough for two on a budget.
What is the cheapest meal at McDonald's?
The McValue $5 McChicken Meal Deal where it is offered. Among regular combos, the Hot 'N Spicy McChicken Meal ($6.72) where available.
What is the cheapest breakfast at McDonald's?
The Sausage Biscuit ($2.68) and Sausage Burrito ($2.85), or the $4 Breakfast Meal Deal with Hash Browns and a small coffee.
Are delivery prices higher?
Yes — delivery apps were about 19% dearer than the restaurant in our check, before delivery and service fees. The budget finder uses estimated in-restaurant prices.
Do budget prices include tax?
No. All prices are before sales tax, which depends on your state and city, so keep a little room in your budget.