Subway vs Taco Bell (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 83 items at Subway vs 115 items at Taco Bell.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Subway averages $5.57 per item across 83 menu items, while Taco Bell averages $5.72 across 115 items. Prices are within 3% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Taco Bell has lower average calories (405 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Subway | Taco Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.57 | $5.72 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 83 | 115 | Taco Bell |
| Avg Calories | 586 | 405 | Taco Bell |
| US Locations | 16,177 | 7,589 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 3 | 14 | Taco Bell |
Subway and Taco Bell have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Subway
Taco Bell
Deep Comparison: Subway vs Taco Bell
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Subway delivers 1.46¢/cal on average, while Taco Bell delivers 3.00¢/cal. Subway gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Subway and Taco Bell share 2 menu categories (10% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: breakfast, drinks. 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: Subway avg $6.54 vs Taco Bell $3.34 — Taco Bell is 49% cheaper
- drinks: Subway avg $2.06 vs Taco Bell $2.88 — Subway is 29% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Subway fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 1 item (1430 cal)
- $15 budget: Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal), Taco Bell fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal), Taco Bell fits 3 items (1370 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Subway ranks #132 of 414 on price (cheaper than 68% of tracked chains). Taco Bell ranks #143 of 414 (cheaper than 66% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Subway, 50% 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: Subway ($5.57 avg vs $5.72)
- More variety: Taco Bell (115 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Subway (1.46¢/cal)