Study finds Gilbert pays highest price in U.S. for food delivery

💰 Turns out, convenience comes with a hefty price tag – especially if you live in Gilbert. According to a new study from consumer research website PriceListo, Gilbert ranks as the most expensive city in the nation for food delivery.

To measure costs, researchers placed identical four-meal orders from McDonald’s in the country’s 100 largest cities. In Gilbert, the average tab for the four meals that cost $51.06 at the fast-food restaurant was a whopping $90.61 – a markup of 77.5%.

Tucson had the fourth-highest cost ($77.50), Mesa was 26th ($66.97), Chandler 32nd ($66.07), Scottsdale 37th ($64.57), and Phoenix 42nd ($63.30). The average cost across all 100 cities was $62.36.

As most diners know, delivery apps tack on a mix of service fees, delivery fees, and hidden markups that can inflate your final bill far beyond what you’d pay in person. The study breaks down which platforms bite the hardest:

• DoorDash tops the list with a 44.5% markup.
• Uber Eats isn’t far behind at 43.7%.
• Postmates clocks in at 40.4%.
• Grubhub is the “cheapest” option – but still averages a 38.4% markup.

While Gilbert’s booming dining scene offers plenty of reasons to stay local, the data is a reminder that the most affordable way to enjoy it might just be picking up your own takeout – or better yet, dining in. Either way, Valley residents are paying a premium for that knock at the door.