Arby's vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Prices are within 0% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 474 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $6.03 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 86 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 413 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 15 | McDonald's |
Arby's and McDonald's have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Arby's
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Arby's
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. Arby's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Arby's 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: Arby's avg $2.56 vs McDonald's $3.17 — Arby's is 19% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Arby's, 57% 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: Arby's ($6.03 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Arby's (1.08¢/cal)