Dunkin' vs Starbucks (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 79 items at Dunkin' vs 74 items at Starbucks.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dunkin' averages $3.96 per item across 79 menu items, while Starbucks averages $4.13 across 74 items. Prices are within 4% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 308 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dunkin' | Starbucks | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.96 | $4.13 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 79 | 74 | Dunkin' |
| Avg Calories | 292 | 308 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 9,686 | 13,502 | Starbucks |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 15 | Starbucks |
Dunkin' and Starbucks have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Dunkin'
Starbucks
Lowest Calorie Options
Dunkin'
Starbucks
Deep Comparison: Dunkin' vs Starbucks
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal on average, while Starbucks delivers 5.04¢/cal. Starbucks gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dunkin' and Starbucks share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: bakery. 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:
- bakery: Dunkin' avg $2.32 vs Starbucks $2.77 — Dunkin' is 16% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Starbucks fits 3 items (310 cal)
- $15 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Starbucks fits 3 items (1100 cal)
- $20 budget: Dunkin' fits 3 items, Starbucks fits 3 items (1100 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 on price (cheaper than 91% of tracked chains). Starbucks ranks #49 of 414 (cheaper than 88% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dunkin', 88% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Starbucks, 92% are under 500 calories. Starbucks offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $4.13)
- More variety: Dunkin' (79 items)
- More locations: Starbucks (13,502 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Starbucks (5.04¢/cal)