Dunkin' vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 79 items at Dunkin' vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dunkin' averages $3.96 per item across 79 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Dunkin' is $2.07 cheaper per item (34% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 413 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dunkin' | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.96 | $6.03 | Dunkin' |
| Menu Items | 79 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 292 | 413 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 9,686 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 15 | McDonald's |
Dunkin' is 34% cheaper on average than McDonald's ($2.07 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dunkin'
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Dunkin'
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Dunkin' vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. McDonald's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dunkin' and McDonald's share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: beverages. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
Price Differences by Shared Category
Where these chains overlap, here is who undercuts whom on average price:
- beverages: Dunkin' avg $4.91 vs McDonald's $3.17 — McDonald's is 35% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Dunkin' fits 3 items, McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 on price (cheaper than 91% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dunkin', 88% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. Dunkin' offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: McDonald's (6.07¢/cal)