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.
Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
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