NASHVILLE, TN (RFD-TV) — The 2025 Big Mac Housing Index offers a unique view of homeownership costs by measuring how many burgers it takes to buy a median-priced house.
Nationally, it takes about 71,000 Big Macs, down nearly seven percent from 2022 and well below the 2005 peak of more than 94,000. This suggests housing is relatively more affordable when compared to consumer goods.
But the picture varies widely by state. According to a report from Investor Observer — California, buyers face the steepest hurdle at more than 149,000 Big Macs, while Louisiana leads as the most affordable at just under 47,000. Other states, such as Ohio and Alabama, also fall near the lower end of the scale, while New York and New Jersey exceed 100,000 Big Macs, underscoring metro-area pressures.
The index, originally devised by The Economist, shows how inflation in consumer goods interacts with home prices, offering a clearer sense of affordability trends. Policymakers and buyers alike can use the measure as a reminder that regional differences remain a defining feature of the U.S. housing market.
While not directly tied to agriculture, the Big Mac Index highlights how broader inflation and affordability trends affect rural communities, where land values and housing costs often shape decisions about farm succession and attracting new farmers.
AFBF Economist Bearnt Nelson joins us with insights into current turkey flock sizes, HPAI concerns, and production impacts on holiday demand.
October 02, 2025 01:25 PM
·
“It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently, at the federal level.”
October 02, 2025 01:22 PM
·
Jeramy Stephens, with National Land Realty, says that despite today’s economic headwinds, farmland remains a resilient asset — and understanding local conditions is key to making sound decisions.
October 01, 2025 03:42 PM
·
Despite global improvement, food insecurity remains deeply concentrated in vulnerable regions.
September 30, 2025 03:41 PM
·
Livestock and government payments provide a boost, but crop receipts and rising expenses keep pressure on margins. Strong financial planning remains key in a volatile environment.
September 30, 2025 10:45 AM
·
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Taxation expert, Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, joined us Monday to break down the changes and explain what producers should know.
September 29, 2025 01:57 PM
·
Dividing up a family farming operation can be challenging, especially for children who may not want to become farmers themselves.
September 29, 2025 01:24 PM
·
Land values are increasing faster than farm income, making it more challenging for young and beginning farmers to expand, but supporting equity for current landowners.
September 29, 2025 09:58 AM
·
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Crop Insurance, and a Business Planning Complication
September 28, 2025 01:56 PM
·
