Sometimes you're just in the mood for a burger, fries and soda, and you don't care what it costs.  Other times, you look at the price of a burger and can't believe your eyes.

The price of hamburger has risen over the past few years, not because the beef is better quality, but the finger points to inflation.

Moneygeek.com surveyed the top burger chains in American and found within a two year window, most were up over 20%.   Twenty percent is a huge increase for fast food for a family of four, which represents the hardest hit by price hikes.

Boston ranks the fifth most expensive city in the USA for a burger, fries and soda, averaging $17.63.   The survey included the top chains like McDonald's, Five Guys, Wendy's, Burger King, and Jack in the Box.

McDonald's serves up the most burgers in America, but has the lowest price of all the hamburger chains, averaging $7.57 per meal.

The biggest rate hike is at Wendy's, up over 31% in two years, with the average price of a burger meal at $12.41.   The price two years ago was $9.41.

Which chain has the most expensive burgers of the top fast food burger chains?  It's Five Guys, topping out at an average of $20.84 per meal, but their prices have only risen 13% in two years.

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How do you combat inflation?  Cook your own burgers and fries at home.  It's always more cost effective to create your meals in your own kitchen, but if you go to one of your favorite fast food chains, try eliminating the soda.  That could cut your cost by $3 or more.  You can also try a local burger joint, not a chain.

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