IHOP vs Subway (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 139 items at IHOP vs 83 items at Subway.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, IHOP averages $6.36 per item across 139 menu items, while Subway averages $5.57 across 83 items. Subway is $0.78 cheaper per item (12% difference). IHOP has lower average calories (584 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | IHOP | Subway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.36 | $5.57 | Subway |
| Menu Items | 139 | 83 | IHOP |
| Avg Calories | 584 | 586 | IHOP |
| US Locations | 1,750 | 16,177 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 3 | Subway |
Subway is 12% cheaper on average than IHOP ($0.78 less per item).
Cheapest Items
IHOP
Subway
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: IHOP vs Subway
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
IHOP delivers 1.86¢/cal on average, while Subway delivers 1.46¢/cal. Subway gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
IHOP and Subway share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: IHOP fits 1 item (971 cal), Subway fits 0 items
- $15 budget: IHOP fits 3 items (150 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal)
- $20 budget: IHOP fits 3 items (1021 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
IHOP ranks #166 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). Subway ranks #132 of 414 (cheaper than 68% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At IHOP, 45% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Subway, 50% are under 500 calories. Subway offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Subway ($5.57 avg vs $6.36)
- More variety: IHOP (139 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Subway (1.46¢/cal)