Jack in the Box vs Taco Bell (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 111 items at Jack in the Box vs 115 items at Taco Bell.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jack in the Box averages $3.75 per item across 111 menu items, while Taco Bell averages $5.72 across 115 items. Jack in the Box is $1.97 cheaper per item (34% difference). Taco Bell has lower average calories (405 vs 563 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jack in the Box | Taco Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.75 | $5.72 | Jack in the Box |
| Menu Items | 111 | 115 | Taco Bell |
| Avg Calories | 563 | 405 | Taco Bell |
| US Locations | 2,169 | 7,589 | Taco Bell |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 14 | Taco Bell |
Jack in the Box is 34% cheaper on average than Taco Bell ($1.97 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jack in the Box
Taco Bell
Lowest Calorie Options
Jack in the Box
Taco Bell
Deep Comparison: Jack in the Box vs Taco Bell
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/cal on average, while Taco Bell delivers 3.00¢/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 Taco Bell share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: breakfast. 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:
- breakfast: Jack in the Box avg $2.44 vs Taco Bell $3.34 — Jack in the Box is 27% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal), Taco Bell fits 1 item (1430 cal)
- $15 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal), Taco Bell fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal), Taco Bell fits 3 items (1370 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). Taco Bell ranks #143 of 414 (cheaper than 66% 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 Taco Bell, 64% are under 500 calories. Taco Bell offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Jack in the Box ($3.75 avg vs $5.72)
- More variety: Taco Bell (115 items)
- More locations: Taco Bell (7,589 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jack in the Box (1.37¢/cal)