McDonald's Prices in 1980 Will Blow Your Mind

Regardless of how (what) you normally eat, there is no denying that fast-food is often a great option for people who are short on time and need a full meal.

These days, there are so many options! You can get burgers, fried chicken, Mexican food, salads, soups, and more from fast-food restaurants.

Despite the sheer number of choices that we now have, there is no denying that McDonald's is still the OG burger place.

Over the years, McDonald's has changed... a lot! As food trends have changed, so has the restaurant. For example, as Americans started feeling the love for chicken products, the iconic chain added more chicken options. When people became more health conscious, McDonald's added salads and switched from fried pies to baked pies.

Of course, one of the things that has changed dramatically over the years are the chain's prices.

Like everything else in the world, the prices have increased steadily over the last few years.

Sometimes, looking back at the prices from several decades ago is truly shocking.

Recently, WGBH in Boston posted a video that was taken at a Brighton, Massachusetts McDonald's restaurant in 1980. A portion of the video shows the menu board and prices.

Some of the notable prices on the menu include:

Hamburger - 50 cents
Cheeseburger - 58 cents
McChicken - $1.10
Filet-O-Fish - 85 cents
Quarter Pounder - $1.10 ($1.25 w/ cheese)
Big Mac - $1.20

Of course, it is important to note that everything has gone up in the last 45 years, including the average salary. For example, the average United States salary in 1980 was $12,500. In 2025, it is about $67,000. Of course, it would appear that the cost of food has definitely outpaced the increase in compensation.

In addition to the prices it is cool to see how a McDonald's restaurant operated nearly 50 years ago.

Check out the video HERE.