Inspired by The New York Times’ analysis in 2020, research originally conducted on behalf of Self Financial in 2023 uncovered how much the price of food delivery changed across the U.S. when using different apps. The study found that delivering the same food order varied as much as $33.88 between the 100 cities analyzed.
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To find out how this has changed two years on, the research team repeated the study by placing prospective McDonald’s orders in the 100 largest cities in the nation on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
Every order included a Big Mac Combo Meal (with fries and Coca-Cola), a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe Large Meal (with fries and Coca-Cola), a 6-Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal (with fries and water), and a Hamburger Happy Meal (with fries and water).
The research found that DoorDash was the most expensive food delivery app in the U.S., costing $63.21 for an order that cost $36.95 at the restaurant, a staggering 71.1% more expensive.
Here’s exactly how the apps broke down the example order when compared to buying directly:
| What charges do food delivery apps add? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | UberEats | GrubHub | DoorDash | Restaurant |
| Food* | $41.38 | $41.60 | $41.55 | $34.21 |
| Sales tax | $3.49 | $3.87 | $3.56 | $2.74 |
| Service fee | $7.25 | $6.27 | $6.37 | N/A |
| Delivery fee | $0.31 | $1.35 | $3.31 | N/A |
| Other costs | $2.01 | $0.19 | $0.16 | N/A |
| Tip (15%) | $8.16 | $7.99 | $8.27 | N/A** |
| Total | $62.60 | $61.26 | $63.21 | $36.95 |
| Markup | 69.4% | 65.8% | 71.1% | N/A |
**McDonald’s employees do not take tips
While the price of food alone was 19.3% more on the food delivery apps, you also have to account for delivery fees, service fees, sales taxes, and in some cities, other costs (such as gas surcharges, or small order fees). This study also factored in a 15% tip for delivery drivers; although technically not mandatory.
Overall, there are a number of fees that go into the average 68.8% markup when using food delivery apps.
Average markup on food delivery apps:
The study found that Uber Eats has a slightly lower markup percentage (69.4%), followed by GrubHub (65.8%), meaning these two apps are your best options when ordering food with no offers or codes implemented.
The research shows that the most affordable option for delivery is going to pick it up yourself. However, if you are using an app, the most affordable option is likely going to be the one that has the best discount code for you at that time.
| How much do food delivery apps charge for the same meal? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Food delivery app | Order Cost | Markup (%) |
| DoorDash | $63.21 | 71.1% |
| Uber Eats | $62.60 | 69.4% |
| GrubHub | $61.26 | 65.8% |
In 2023, the study found that the average markup between the McDonald’s food order and the delivery order was 93.8%. In the recent research, although prices had increased, the markup had decreased to 68.6%.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Uber Eats markup depreciated by 34.8% – the greatest difference in the study.
Which city is the most expensive for food delivery?
According to the study, Gilbert, Arizona is the most expensive city for food delivery, costing $90.61 for the example order analyzed, which would cost$51.06 when buying directly from McDonald’s (a markup of 77.5% between the restaurant and delivery app). While Gilbert is the most expensive overall, the highest markup between the in-McDonald’s price and the delivery app price was in New Orleans, Louisiana (237.8%).
The average cost for this same order across the 100 cities in the U.S. analyzed came to $62.36 when using food delivery apps.
Gilbert’s most expensive food pick up and delivery app was DoorDash, costing $93, while the most affordable was Uber Eats, where the same order cost $88.53. While prices differ greatly between cities, they also vary depending on the app used.
The price of the order varied across the nation, even when buying directly; however, Gilbert had the highest average total across all three delivery apps analyzed.
How has this changed since 2023?
In 2023, the average delivered order cost $29.87 directly from McDonald’s, or $57.87 when delivered. In 2025, the same order cost $36.95 directly from the restaurant and $62.36 when delivered. This is a 23.7% price increase at McDonald’s, and a 7.8% increase in delivery costs.
But in some locations, the year-on-year price changes were more significant. For example, Gilbert, Arizona, was also the most expensive city for delivery in 2023. Back then, the delivery total for the same order was $79.59, whereas in 2025, this cost has increased by $11.02 (14.3% increase).
The cities that saw the biggest increase in food delivery costs since 2023
On average, food delivery costs increased by $4.49 between 2023 and 2025, but this varied city-by-city.
In Norfolk, Virginia, the overall food delivery costs increased by $22.74 (from $48.48 to $71) – the greatest two-year increase in the study. In comparison, if someone were collecting the same order directly from McDonald’s, there was a more moderate $6.49 increase – $16.25 less than the price increase via the apps.
Prices for delivery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, increased by $13.81 since 2023, and $12.40 in Atlanta, Georgia (the second and third greatest increases).
Overall, there were 11 cities in the study where the delivery costs for the orders had fallen, although slightly.
In Chula Vista, California, the average delivery cost was $3.90 cheaper, in San Francisco, California, it was $3.31 cheaper, and in Tampa, Florida, the average delivery cost was $3.01 cheaper.
Which city is the cheapest for food delivery?
For the same order, Laredo, Texas, had the lowest price when using food delivery apps ($45.39). This is $45.22 cheaper than Gilbert, Arizona.
Irving, also in Texas, took the second-top spot at $47.21.
The top five cheapest cities in the U.S. for food delivery apps:
- Laredo, Texas ($45.39)
- Irving, Texas ($47.21)
- Garland, Texas ($47.95)
- Fort Wayne, Indiana ($48.35)
- El Paso, Texas ($48.58)
Food delivery app price markups
While the outright cost gives an idea of how expensive food pick up and delivery apps can be, it’s also important to consider the data with respect to the local area. To do this, the study compared the average price of using each food delivery app against the price of the same order directly from McDonald’s.
Which city has the highest markup on food delivery apps?
While Gilbert charges the most for residents to get their hands on some fast food, New Orleans, Louisiana, was found to have the highest percentage markup (237.8%) when comparing the price of buying directly from the restaurant against the full charges from food delivery apps ($20.80 vs $70.27).
In Madison, Wisconsin, buying directly from McDonald’s would cost just $22.23, whereas the delivery apps charge 208.2% more, totaling $68.52. Phoenix, Arizona, was the third-highest city for delivery app markups (206.4%).
Which city has the lowest markup on food delivery apps?
Anchorage, Alaska, has the lowest markup when using the apps. On average, customers in this city will pay an extra 42.8% for the convenience of having food picked up and delivered. With introductory discounts and occasional discount codes, it could be a no-brainer for Anchorage locals to use those apps to claim food at similar prices to buying directly.
