Cooking at home beats fast food in cost and nutrition—except in these cities

Eating out has become far more common over the past five years, with a 30% rise in frequency. Yet a new study by Hims reveals that cooking at home still offers key benefits in cost, nutrition, and portion control. The findings also show stark differences in affordability between cities and states. Hims compared the cost of making a cheeseburger at home to buying one at a fast-food chain across 50 US cities. In San Francisco, a homemade burger costs $6.95, while a fast-food version is slightly more at $7.36. San Antonio, Texas, had the lowest homemade price at $5.51, but its fast-food option was even cheaper.

The study found that grocery prices in the US have climbed by nearly 25% over five years. Despite this, cooking at home remains more affordable in major California cities. In contrast, fast food is cheaper in Texas cities like San Antonio. In places like Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and Columbus, making a burger at home costs over $1 more than buying one out. Las Vegas had the cheapest fast-food burger at $4.29, while San Francisco's was the most expensive. The research also highlighted that home cooking supports better nutrition and long-term healthy eating habits.

The report confirms that cooking at home can still save money in many areas, though fast food is cheaper in some cities. With grocery prices rising, the cost gap between eating in and dining out varies widely by location. The findings also reinforce that home-cooked meals provide better control over nutrition and portions.