Burger index not good news for AK, Hawaii cities
5/15/2013JUNEAU, Alaska — Residents of Alaska and Hawaii always suspected they pay higher prices, and now the hamburger proves it.
The Juneau Empire reports (http://is.gd/mkMEns) residents of Alaska’s capital city pay the highest price in the nation for a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
The basic cost of living guide is from the consumer advocacy website NerdWallet, which ranked the costs of living in cities across the nation based on the price of the McDonald’s burger.
The average price in Juneau, according to NerdWallet’s QPI — or Quarter Pounder Index, was $4.82.
The survey also ranks Anchorage, Fairbanks and Honolulu in the top 10 for most expensive cities. The cheapest Quarter Pounder was found in Conway, Ark., at $2.24.
A McDonald’s spokeswoman says by email franchisees determine prices, which can vary by restaurant.