Dairy Queen vs Jack in the Box (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 111 items at Jack in the Box.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Jack in the Box averages $3.75 across 111 items. Jack in the Box is $0.33 cheaper per item (8% difference). Jack in the Box has lower average calories (563 vs 571 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Jack in the Box | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $3.75 | Jack in the Box |
| Menu Items | 64 | 111 | Jack in the Box |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 563 | Jack in the Box |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 2,169 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 7 | Tie |
Jack in the Box is 8% cheaper on average than Dairy Queen ($0.33 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Jack in the Box
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Jack in the Box
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Jack in the Box
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/cal. Dairy Queen gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Jack in the Box share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal), Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal)
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal)
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Jack in the Box ranks #33 of 414 (cheaper than 92% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Jack in the Box, 35% are under 500 calories. Dairy Queen offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Jack in the Box ($3.75 avg vs $4.08)
- More variety: Jack in the Box (111 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)