Which NFL city or metro area has the most affordable Big Mac? To which one you should move to in 2025?

December 1, 2024

Which NFL city has the most affordable Big Mac? Which one has the most expensive one?

The most expensive NFL city or metropolitan area is Boston (Foxborough, MA, home of the New England Patriots) where a Big Mac dents your card by $7.09. The least expensive is Charlotte, NC, home of the Carolina Panthers where you can buy a Big Mac for only $4.19.

Here's a list of the 30 cities hosting the 32 NFL teams (LA and NY have two teams each), ranked using the Big Mac Index.

1. Boston, MA (New England Patriots): $7.09
2. Chicago, IL (Chicago Bears): $6.09
3. Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers): $5.89
4. San Francisco, CA (San Francisco 49ers): $5.89
5. Denver, CO (Denver Broncos): $5.69
6. Kansas City, MO (Kansas City Chiefs): $5.69
7. Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Cardinals): $5.59
8. Houston, TX (Houston Texans): $5.36
9. Dallas, TX (Dallas Cowboys): $5.36
10. New York, NY (New York Giants, New York Jets): $5.29
11. Buffalo, NY (Buffalo Bills): $5.29
12. Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Ravens): $5.19
13. Washington, D.C. (Washington Commanders): $5.19
14. Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Falcons): $5.15
15. Nashville, TN (Tennessee Titans): $5.09
16. Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Vikings): $4.80
17. Detroit, MI (Detroit Lions): $4.79
18. New Orleans, LA (New Orleans Saints): $4.69
19. Green Bay, WI (Green Bay Packers): $4.59
20. Seattle, WA (Seattle Seahawks): $4.49
21. Las Vegas, NV (Las Vegas Raiders): $4.49
22. Jacksonville, FL (Jacksonville Jaguars): $4.39
23. Indianapolis, IN (Indianapolis Colts): $4.40
24. Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Eagles): $4.29
25. Miami, FL (Miami Dolphins): $4.29
26. Cleveland, OH (Cleveland Browns): $4.29
27. Pittsburgh, PA (Pittsburgh Steelers): $4.29
28. Tampa, FL (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): $4.29
29. Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Bengals): $4.29
30. Charlotte, NC (Carolina Panthers): $4.19

The Big Mac Index. 

The Big Mac Index, introduced by The Economist in 1986, serves as an informal gauge of purchasing power parity (PPP) by comparing the prices of McDonald's Big Mac burgers in different places. Ranking the cost of living using McDonald's Big Mac as a benchmark has been popular for some time. The Big Mac index offers insights into currency valuation and cost of living worldwide.

This past summer, the following countries had the highest average Big Mac prices:

1. Switzerland: $8.07
2. Uruguay: $7.07
3. Norway: $6.77
4. Argentina: $6.55
5. United Kingdom: $5.90
6. United States: 5.69
7. Denmark: $5.66
8. Costa Rica: $5.62
9. Sweden: $5.60
10. Canada: $5.52

These countries had the least expensive Big Macs:

1. Venezuela: $1.76
2. Romania: $2.28
3. Indonesia: $2.34
4. South Africa: $2.35
5. India: $2.39
6. Egypt: $2.42
7. Malaysia : 2.45
8. Taiwan: $2.51
9. Hungary: $2.65
10. Turkey: $2.68

Which NFL cities of metro areas have the highest and lowest cost of living? 

Below are the 30 NFL cities listed from the most expensive one to the most affordable one based on the cost of living index. The index uses a score of 100 as the national average cost of living. A score above 100 indicates a cost of living above the national average whereas a score below 100 signifies below average cost.

1. San Francisco 49ers (Santa Clara, CA): 169 index
2. Los Angeles Rams / Chargers (Inglewood, CA): 148
3. New York Giants / Jets (East Rutherford, NJ): 125
4. Seattle Seahawks (Seattle, WA): 124
5. New England Patriots (Foxborough, MA): 122
6. Washington Commanders (Landover, MD): 121
7. Chicago Bears (Chicago, IL): 116
8. Miami Dolphins (Miami Gardens, FL): 112
9. Denver Broncos (Denver, CO): 111
10. Philadelphia Eagles (Philadelphia, PA): 110
11. Minnesota Vikings (Minneapolis, MN): 106
12. Houston Texans (Houston, TX): 103
13. Dallas Cowboys (Arlington, TX): 102
14. Atlanta Falcons (Atlanta, GA): 101
15. Arizona Cardinals (Glendale, AZ): 100
16. Las Vegas Raiders (Paradise, NV): 99
17. Tennessee Titans (Nashville, TN): 98
18. Carolina Panthers (Charlotte, NC): 97
19. Indianapolis Colts (Indianapolis, IN): 95
20. Detroit Lions (Detroit, MI): 94
21. Cleveland Browns (Cleveland, OH): 93
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (Pittsburgh, PA): 92
23. Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore, MD): 91
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Tampa, FL): 90
25. New Orleans Saints (New Orleans, LA): 89
26. Kansas City Chiefs (Kansas City, MO): 88
27. Green Bay Packers (Green Bay, WI): 87
28. Cincinnati Bengals (Cincinnati, OH): 86
29. Buffalo Bills (Orchard Park, NY): 85
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (Jacksonville, FL): 84

To which NFL city or area you should consider relocating to in 2025? 

Our answer: Jacksonville, Florida. It is not only due to cost of living, but it considers the weather. We are heavily biased towards Florida so Tampa would be our second choice. We believe that the F in Florida stands for Future. We see Florida as the most promising state in the near future. We have written about it and plan on writing more about it in the future.

Now that we have mentioned the future, let's also mention the past. Let's take a quick look at the history of American football and the National Football League (NFL), one of the most profitable professional sport leagues in the world. 

American Football: A spin on English rugby and soccer.

American football is a spin off of rugby and soccer. Unlike baseball and basketball, which are also American inventions, but which have been exported worldwide, American football has stayed mostly American (besides some interest in Canada). 

Origins (Mid-19th Century)

American football traces its origins to English rugby and soccer, games that were popular at elite universities in the United States. On November 6, 1869, Rutgers and Princeton played the first intercollegiate game, which resembled more soccer more than modern football.

The Birth of the Game (1870s-1890s)

Walter Camp, a rugby player and coach at Yale University, is credited with creating key aspects of the rugby spin that would eventually become American football. Camp introduced the line of scrimmage, the snap from center to quarterback, the concept of downs and distances (e.g., requiring 5 yards in 3 downs, later evolving to 10 yards in 4 downs).By the 1880s, the game began to differentiate itself from rugby, with rules formalized under Camp’s guidance.

Professionalization and Early Growth (1890s-1920s)

In 1892, William “Pudge” Heffelfinger became the first known American football professional player, earning $500 ($17k in today's money) to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association.

The Ohio League and other regional leagues formed in the early 20th century, leading to the establishment of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1920, later renamed the National Football League (NFL) in 1922.

The Rise of College Football (Early 20th Century)

College football grew rapidly, with schools like Yale, Harvard, and Notre Dame dominating the sport.  College football became a major cultural phenomenon, especially in the Midwest and South. 

By the early 1900s, American football was criticized for its violence, with numerous injuries and fatalities. President Theodore Roosevelt convened a meeting in 1905 to address safety issues, leading to reforms like the creation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association (later the NCAA). Innovations such as the forward pass (made legal in 1906 to reduce dangerous collisions) revolutionized the game.

Professional Expansion (1920s-1950s)

The NFL struggled in its early years, overshadowed by college football. However, professional superstars like Red Grange and Jim Thorpe elevated professional football’s visibility. Then TV made the game popular nationwide.

In the 1950s, televised games brought football into American homes, increasing its popularity.

The AFL-NFL Rivalry and Super Bowl Era (1960s-Present)

The American Football League (AFL) was founded in 1960, competing directly with the NFL. The two leagues merged in 1970, creating the modern NFL structure and the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl became a cultural event, watched by millions in the United States and worldwide.

In recent years, the game has evolved with rules emphasizing player safety, faster pace, and higher scoring. Instant replay, advanced analytics, and modern equipment have enhanced the game. Football is now America’s most popular sport, dominating television ratings and sports culture.

Key Milestones

• 1869: First intercollegiate game (Rutgers vs. Princeton).
• 1880s: Walter Camp formalizes the game’s rules.
• 1920: Formation of the APFA (later NFL).
• 1933: Introduction of the NFL Championship Game.
• 1967: First Super Bowl.
• 1970: AFL-NFL merger.
• 2000s-Present: Football remains a global phenomenon and a cornerstone of American culture.

The Super Bowl 

The Super Bowl has evolved into not just the pinnacle of American football but also a cultural phenomenon and one of the most significant and profitable platforms for corporate advertising. 

The first Super Bowl was held on January 15, 1967, as a championship game between the champions of the National Football League (NFL) and the rival American Football League (AFL). It was originally called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The Green Bay Packers (NFL) defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL), 35-10.

The term "Super Bowl" was coined by Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, inspired by a toy called the Super Ball. The name was officially adopted for the third game in 1969. Following the merger of the NFL and AFL in 1970, the name Super Bowl was used to refer to the championship game for the unified NFL.

By the 1970s, the Super Bowl became a major event, featuring not just the game but also elaborate halftime shows and pregame ceremonies. The Super Bowl quickly became one of the most-watched television events in the United States, with its audience expanding internationally over time. Advertisers began recognizing the value of the Super Bowl as a platform to reach large audiences. 

In 1984, an Apple ad for the Macintosh, directed by Ridley Scott and inspired by George Orwell's 1984, revolutionized Super Bowl advertising. The ad demonstrated the potential for storytelling and creative impact, setting the stage for the Super Bowl to become an advertising showcase.

In 1970s, a 30 second ad spot would sell for about $42,000 ($335,000 in today's money). However, this year (2024), a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost over $7 million, reflecting the event's unmatched advertising success. 

The Super Bowl generates billions in advertising revenue for networks. For example, Super Bowl LVII (2023) brought in over $600 million from ad sales alone. While costly, Super Bowl ads often result in significant returns for companies due to heightened brand visibility and viral impact.

The Super Bowl is broadcasted in over 180 countries, with millions tuning in worldwide. Advertisers leverage the event to launch global campaigns. Super Bowl ads often feature top celebrities, adding star power to campaigns. Ads aim to entertain with humor, emotional storytelling, and memorable taglines. 

Super Bowl ads are as much a part of the experience as the game itself. Surveys often show viewers tune in as much for the commercials as for the game. Companies compete not just for audience attention but also for media and cultural recognition, with best-of lists and discussions further extending ad campaigns’ lifespans.

The Super Bowl has become a showcase of not only athletic excellence but also marketing ingenuity. Its combination of massive viewership, cultural relevance, and global reach ensures its status as the premier advertising stage in the world.

Overall, American football is a story of innovation, adaptation, and marketing firmly rooted in the American Spirit of constantly adapting to new challenges and opportunities to lead, entertain, and monetize this thing called life. American football, both the game and the business, resemble American culture like no other sport or event. Football can be seen as a metaphor for the entire American spirit including innovation, adaptation, and commercialization.

Now you know it. The New England Patriots host the most expensive Big Mac. The North Carolina Panthers the most affordable one. San Francisco is the most expensive NFL city. Jacksonville is the least expensive one. American Football is an innovation from rugby. Corporate America found a way to turn the sport into a multibillion dollar industry. The NFL succeeded in making the NFL-AFL championship, the Super Bowl, the most successful sport event in the United States and one of the most profitable sport events in the world. 

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