How cheap is McDonald's considered to be in the US? I don't think it's fair to compare a McDonald's to an "expensive burger", just as you wouldn't compare an entry-level cheap car to a Rolls-Royce. Yeah, they're both "burgers", but that's about it.

I also think GP's point was a bit different, as in eating out altogether may have been seen a treat, not McDonald's specifically. Eating in was more the norm, for price reasons.

Over here in France, I do consider it expensive for what it is. I can easily whip together food that is healthier, tastier and cheaper.

And when I say "easy" I also consider the time factor. It takes me less time to chop up some vegetables, throw them in a pot over some minced meat and do the dishes while it cooks. I can also cook some rice / pasta / whatever to go with it. It usually takes around 30 minutes from start to finish. Unless the McDonald's is right next door, it won't even be faster.

It's been years since I haven't been in a McDonald's, but a menu used to cost some 7-8 €. Most other fast-food places (think kebab joint) used to cost roughly in the same ballpark. The kind of recipe I'm talking about above will usually come in a bit cheaper, and there are multiple servings.

Of course, there are cases when you're out and about and can't cook, so YMMV, but for many places where people work "inside" (as opposed to, say, construction), there usually are microwave ovens available, so you can reheat your own food.

Right now where I live there are 5-10 McDonalds I could visit within a 30 minute round trip time. The cheapest burger (just a burger) is 400 calories and $1.39. $7-$8 is about right for a meal, but being fair one of those has more than half the calories a person needs in a day, and it would be possible to live off only that once a day for a long time.

I could make a healthier, better tasting meal for $1.39 in ingredients but that would be quite restrictive. I don't know that I could make a burger. More importantly though I would have to make sure the perishable ingredients were fully used before they went off, I would have to have kitchen equipment and knowhow, and I would have to have the time and energy to make this food. Some of those things are luxuries not everybody has (even though they're quite a bit better financially, healthwise, etc. in the long term)

When I cook for myself realistically, I usually spend more than I would have at McDonalds (not counting whatever my time is worth and kitchen equipment cost).

Could I eat cheaper than McDonalds without cooking myself? Not really, unless we're talking about a few cents.

Could I eat cheaper than McDonalds by cooking myself? It depends on my choices but generally yes, but requiring some careful overhead management.

You can find burgers much more expensive than at McDonald's in Eastern Europe, too. But you also can buy cooked, healthier food and even steak for cheaper. It depends on town, though.