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.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
December 22, 2025 03:19 PM
·
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
December 22, 2025 02:54 PM
·
National Land Realty’s Jeramy Stephens shares his outlook on farmland market trends, which remain under close watch as new federal assistance programs roll out — with experts analyzing potential impacts on land values, buying, and stability.
December 19, 2025 02:15 PM
·
Jeff Johnston with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange explains the growing role of Rural America in supporting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
December 19, 2025 01:43 PM
·
Lower milk prices may pressure margins, but strong cattle values could soften near-term financial impacts.
December 19, 2025 12:50 PM
·
December 18, 2025 11:03 AM
December 17, 2025 10:45 AM
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.
December 16, 2025 12:44 PM
·
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.
December 15, 2025 01:47 PM
·
