Jimmy John's vs Subway (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 42 items at Jimmy John's vs 83 items at Subway.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jimmy John's averages $8.55 per item across 42 menu items, while Subway averages $5.57 across 83 items. Subway is $2.98 cheaper per item (35% difference). Subway has lower average calories (586 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jimmy John's | Subway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.55 | $5.57 | Subway |
| Menu Items | 42 | 83 | Subway |
| Avg Calories | 996 | 586 | Subway |
| US Locations | 2,550 | 16,177 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 3 | Subway |
Subway is 35% cheaper on average than Jimmy John's ($2.98 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jimmy John's
Subway
Lowest Calorie Options
Jimmy John's
Subway
Deep Comparison: Jimmy John's vs Subway
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/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
Jimmy John's and Subway share 1 menu categories (6% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. 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:
- sides: Jimmy John's avg $1.56 vs Subway $1.03 — Subway is 34% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Subway fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal)
- $20 budget: Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 on price (pricier than 61% of tracked chains). Subway ranks #132 of 414 (cheaper than 68% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Jimmy John's, 20% 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 $8.55)
- More variety: Subway (83 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Subway (1.46¢/cal)