Are Hamburgers Really More Expensive Than Cars Per Pound?

You've probably heard this one before: "Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than new cars!" It sounds shocking, almost unbelievable. And there's a good reason for that—it's not true.

Let's do the math with 2025 numbers and see what's really going on.

The Numbers Don't Lie

As of late 2025, the average price for ground beef in the United States is about $6.54 per pound. That's actually at a historic high—beef prices have been climbing steadily, and June 2025 marked the first time ground beef ever topped $6 per pound since data collection began in the 1980s.

Now for cars. The average new car in 2025 costs around $48,841 and weighs approximately 4,419 pounds according to EPA data. Quick division gives us about $11.05 per pound.

So pound for pound, that new car is actually more expensive than your hamburger—nearly twice as much, in fact.

Where Did This Myth Come From?

This claim likely originated decades ago when it might have actually been closer to true. Back in the 1980s, ground beef cost around $1.50-$2.00 per pound, while cars were both cheaper overall and lighter in weight. The math was tighter back then.

But two major trends changed the equation:

• Beef prices skyrocketed – Ground beef has increased over 170% since 2000, from $2.41 per pound to today's $6.54
• Cars got heavier – Modern vehicles weigh over 1,000 pounds more than 1980s models due to safety features, technology, and the shift toward SUVs and trucks
• Car prices rose slower per pound – While car prices have increased significantly in absolute terms, the per-pound cost hasn't kept pace with beef inflation

The Real Takeaway

What this myth actually reveals is something interesting: we tend to think of expensive things in different ways. A $50,000 car seems expensive, but when you break it down to price per pound of metal, plastic, electronics, and engineering, it's surprisingly reasonable.

Meanwhile, food prices hit us directly and frequently. We notice every time ground beef jumps 50 cents because we buy it weekly. We don't calculate our car's per-pound value every time we fill up the tank.

So no, your burger isn't bankrupting you more than your car—at least not pound for pound. But with beef prices at record highs and predictions of $10-per-pound ground beef on the horizon, this old myth might someday become reality again.