Jack in the Box vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 111 items at Jack in the Box vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jack in the Box averages $3.75 per item across 111 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Jack in the Box is $2.28 cheaper per item (38% difference). McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 563 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jack in the Box | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.75 | $6.03 | Jack in the Box |
| Menu Items | 111 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 563 | 413 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 2,169 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 15 | McDonald's |
Jack in the Box is 38% cheaper on average than McDonald's ($2.28 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jack in the Box
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Jack in the Box
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Jack in the Box vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. Jack in the Box gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Jack in the Box and McDonald's share 3 menu categories (12% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: burgers, breakfast, 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: Jack in the Box avg $2.05 vs McDonald's $3.17 — Jack in the Box is 35% cheaper
- breakfast: Jack in the Box avg $2.44 vs McDonald's $3.63 — Jack in the Box is 33% cheaper
- burgers: Jack in the Box avg $4.92 vs McDonald's $6.12 — Jack in the Box is 20% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal), McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal), McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal), McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jack in the Box ranks #33 of 414 on price (cheaper than 92% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Jack in the Box, 35% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. McDonald's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Jack in the Box ($3.75 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jack in the Box (1.37¢/cal)