[ { "city": "Atlanta", "state": "GA", "slug": "atlanta", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.5, "medianHourlyWage": 23.93, "tacosPerHour": 9.6, "msaName": "Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos La Villa ($1.80–$3 corn-tortilla menu), Taqueria del Sol, Carniceria Ramirez (~$3 representative). Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Atlanta's taco scene has grown alongside the metro's expanding Latino population, with strong taquerias clustered along Buford Highway and in Marietta. Prices remain moderate by Sunbelt standards, supported by a large concentration of family-run spots that haven't followed the upmarket fast-casual trend." }, { "city": "Austin", "state": "TX", "slug": "austin", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.4, "medianHourlyWage": 25.29, "tacosPerHour": 10.5, "msaName": "Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Pueblo Viejo ($2.55+), Tyson's Tacos ($2.85+), Vaquero Taquero ($3+), Taco Joint ($3+). Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (Texas-low TB tier).", "localNote": "Austin's taco culture runs deep — breakfast tacos are a local institution and the city is home to dozens of long-standing trailers and storefronts. Rising rents have pushed fast-casual taco prices above the Texas average, though East Austin and Burnet Road neighborhood spots still hold the line near $3." }, { "city": "Boston", "state": "MA", "slug": "boston", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.0, "chainTacoPrice": 2.89, "avgTacoPrice": 3.45, "medianHourlyWage": 31.07, "tacosPerHour": 9.0, "msaName": "Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: El Pelon Taqueria, Anna's Taqueria, Taqueria Jalisco (East Boston). Authentic single-taco fast-casual prices skew $3.50–$4.50. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.89 (verified via Uber Eats; two Boston stores — 1084 Boylston St, 449 W Broadway — both list $3.40, implying ~$2.89 in-store after standard markup).", "localNote": "Boston has fewer fast-casual taquerias per capita than most cities on this list, with the strongest cluster in East Boston's Maverick Square. The relative scarcity of authentic mom-and-pop taquerias plus the city's high cost of doing business push the standard taco price into a premium tier." }, { "city": "Charlotte", "state": "NC", "slug": "charlotte", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.5, "medianHourlyWage": 23.5, "tacosPerHour": 9.4, "msaName": "Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos El Nevado ($2 daily), Sabor Latin Street Grill, Three Amigos, Plato Pronto. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Charlotte's taco scene has expanded rapidly with the metro's growth, anchored by Latin-corridor taquerias along Central Avenue and in Eastland. Prices remain among the most affordable of any major Southeast city, with $2 weekday street tacos still common." }, { "city": "Chicago", "state": "IL", "slug": "chicago", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.5, "chainTacoPrice": 2.19, "avgTacoPrice": 2.84, "medianHourlyWage": 24.76, "tacosPerHour": 8.7, "msaName": "Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Pilsen / Little Village taquerias — Carnitas Don Pedro ($3.50 tacos de guisado), Atotonilco, Rubi's, Birrieria Reyes de Ocotlan. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.19 (Midwest urban premium).", "localNote": "Chicago's Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods are among the most concentrated taqueria corridors in the country. Prices have crept up in recent years but the city retains a strong floor of $3–3.50 corn-tortilla street tacos, well below New York or Los Angeles benchmarks." }, { "city": "Dallas", "state": "TX", "slug": "dallas", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.75, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.27, "medianHourlyWage": 23.91, "tacosPerHour": 10.5, "msaName": "Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos La Banqueta Puro DF ($2.00–$2.70 corn), Taqueria La Ventana, Trompo, Balicia's Taqueria. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (Texas-low TB tier).", "localNote": "Dallas–Fort Worth has one of the densest taqueria networks in the country, especially along West Jefferson, North Beckley, and the suburbs of Garland and Irving. Prices stay close to the Texas baseline, with most authentic spots holding under $3 per taco." }, { "city": "Denver", "state": "CO", "slug": "denver", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.5, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 3.25, "medianHourlyWage": 29.38, "tacosPerHour": 9.0, "msaName": "Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Denver Street Tacos ($4.50), Tacos Tequila Whiskey, El Taco de Mexico, Taco Bron. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Denver's taco scene blends old-school West Side taquerias with a newer wave of upmarket fast-casual operators. The mountain-tourism premium and rising rents have pushed standard taco prices well above the national average, and $4–5 per taco is now common at name-brand spots." }, { "city": "Detroit", "state": "MI", "slug": "detroit", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.5, "medianHourlyWage": 24.39, "tacosPerHour": 9.8, "msaName": "Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Mexicantown / Bagley Ave taquerias — Taqueria El Rey (5-for-$10 Tuesdays), Taqueria Lupita's, Honey Bee La Colmena, El Asador. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Mexicantown along Bagley Avenue remains the heart of Detroit's taco scene, with multi-generation taquerias serving a city that has long had a substantial Mexican-American community. Prices reflect the metro's lower cost of living, and Taco Tuesday deals at $2 a piece are still easy to find." }, { "city": "Houston", "state": "TX", "slug": "houston", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.75, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.27, "medianHourlyWage": 23.31, "tacosPerHour": 10.3, "msaName": "Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos a Go Go ($2.15 corn / $2.79 flour), Taquerias Arandas, Laredo Taqueria, Escalante's. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (Texas-low TB tier).", "localNote": "Houston is one of the largest and most affordable taco markets in the country, with thousands of trucks, taquerias, and tortilla-chain locations spread across the metro. Prices sit firmly in the bottom tier nationally, supported by deep supply chains and a vast Mexican-American population." }, { "city": "Jacksonville", "state": "FL", "slug": "jacksonville", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 3.0, "medianHourlyWage": 22.61, "tacosPerHour": 7.5, "msaName": "Jacksonville, FL", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Taqueria El Paso food truck ($4.00 classic Mexican street taco), Taqueria Junior, Mr. Taco Food Truck, El Agave Azul. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg). Note: Jacksonville's authentic taco scene is small and food-truck-dominated, which has pushed per-taco prices higher than expected for a Southern metro — flagged as anomalous.", "localNote": "Jacksonville's authentic taco scene is small relative to the city's size, with most options coming from food trucks rather than storefront taquerias. The limited supply, combined with the food-truck format, has pushed per-taco prices to the high end of the Southeast." }, { "city": "Kansas City", "state": "MO", "slug": "kansas-city", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.89, "avgTacoPrice": 2.44, "medianHourlyWage": 23.79, "tacosPerHour": 9.8, "msaName": "Kansas City, MO-KS", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Westside / Argentine corridor — Taqueria Mexico, El Camino Real ($1 Wed special), Tacos El Gallo, Taqueria Ibarra. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.89 (mid-cost market).", "localNote": "Kansas City's taco scene is anchored on the Westside and Argentine, neighborhoods with deep Mexican-American roots that predate the city's well-known barbecue tradition. Standard taqueria prices have stayed close to $3, and weekday specials at $1–2 per taco are common." }, { "city": "Las Vegas", "state": "NV", "slug": "las-vegas", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.25, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.62, "medianHourlyWage": 21.69, "tacosPerHour": 8.3, "msaName": "Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos El Gordo ($2.40–$3.85 Tijuana-style), Taqueria El Pastorcito ($3.21–$3.44), Chicali Tacos ($3.00 al pastor). Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Vegas balances tourist-corridor pricing with a robust off-Strip taqueria scene, particularly along Bonanza Road and in East Las Vegas. Tacos El Gordo and similar Tijuana-style operators have set the local standard at the mid-$3 range." }, { "city": "Los Angeles", "state": "CA", "slug": "los-angeles", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.5, "chainTacoPrice": 2.49, "avgTacoPrice": 3.5, "medianHourlyWage": 25.72, "tacosPerHour": 7.3, "msaName": "Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos Tu Madre ($4.00–$4.50 street tacos), broad LA Taco / Time Out / Infatuation 2025 guides ($3.50–$5 fast-casual). Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.49 (CA FAST Act premium).", "localNote": "Los Angeles has some of the best tacos in the country and some of the highest prices. The index uses the fast-casual and chain average — not the premium end of a market that runs from $1.50 Boyle Heights street tacos to $8 Silver Lake restaurant tacos." }, { "city": "Memphis", "state": "TN", "slug": "memphis", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.5, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.15, "medianHourlyWage": 21.93, "tacosPerHour": 10.2, "msaName": "Memphis, TN-MS-AR", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Summer Avenue corridor — Taqueria Express ($1.25 Superman taco), Taqueria El Burrito Express ($0.99 chicken), Taco Nganas. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (low-cost market).", "localNote": "Memphis has a relatively small but well-established Mexican-American community concentrated along Summer Avenue, where most of the city's taquerias and trucks operate. Standard taco prices are among the lowest in the South, with $1–2 per taco still common at no-frills trucks." }, { "city": "Miami", "state": "FL", "slug": "miami", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.5, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.75, "medianHourlyWage": 23.04, "tacosPerHour": 8.4, "msaName": "Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: The Taco Stand (Wynwood / Little Havana, ~$3 grilled chicken / al pastor), Coyote Taqueria (Miami Beach), Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Talkin' Tacos. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg). Caveat: Miami fast-casual taco data is the thinnest of any city in this set; representative price is moderate-confidence.", "localNote": "Miami's taco scene developed later than its other Latin food traditions and remains less central to local food culture than Cuban, Colombian, or Venezuelan cuisine. Prices reflect the city's overall expensive food landscape, with most fast-casual taquerias landing above the regional average." }, { "city": "Milwaukee", "state": "WI", "slug": "milwaukee", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.5, "chainTacoPrice": 1.89, "avgTacoPrice": 2.19, "medianHourlyWage": 23.9, "tacosPerHour": 10.9, "msaName": "Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Walker's Point — El Tapatio (~$2/taco, 5-for-$10), Tacos El Charrito, Taqueria Buenavista, Mazorca Tacos. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.89 (low-cost market).", "localNote": "Milwaukee's taco scene is anchored in Walker's Point along South 5th and Cesar Chavez Drive, where a handful of decades-old taquerias serve a sizable Mexican-American community. Prices are some of the lowest in the country, with bundled deals like 5-for-$10 a Walker's Point staple." }, { "city": "Minneapolis", "state": "MN", "slug": "minneapolis", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.5, "medianHourlyWage": 27.71, "tacosPerHour": 11.1, "msaName": "Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Lake Street / Lyndale corridor — Taco Taxi (~$2.50/taco), Turbo Taco Truck, broader truck range $3–5. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "The Twin Cities have a quietly strong taqueria scene, especially along East Lake Street and on the East Side of St. Paul. The combination of relatively affordable taco prices and one of the highest median wages in the index pushes Minneapolis to the top of the affordability ranking." }, { "city": "Nashville", "state": "TN", "slug": "nashville", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.89, "avgTacoPrice": 2.44, "medianHourlyWage": 23.48, "tacosPerHour": 9.6, "msaName": "Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Mas Tacos Por Favor (McFerrin Ave), Taqueria Don Carbon Express, La Revolución Taco (food truck), Taqueria San Luis. Reports of $1.50/taco at cheap trucks; ~$2.20/ea at $40-for-18 spots; ~$3 at established taquerias. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.89 (mid-low cost market).", "localNote": "Nashville's taco scene grew alongside the metro's rapid Hispanic population growth, with most options clustered in Antioch, Murfreesboro Road, and Nolensville Pike. Standard taqueria pricing has held near $3, though tourism-corridor spots downtown run noticeably higher." }, { "city": "New York City", "state": "NY", "slug": "new-york-city", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 5.0, "chainTacoPrice": 3.19, "avgTacoPrice": 4.09, "medianHourlyWage": 29.07, "tacosPerHour": 7.1, "msaName": "New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Los Tacos No. 1 ($5.65–$6.00 adobada/pollo/asada at Chelsea Market), Taquería Ramirez ($4–$6 Greenpoint), Birria-Landia ($5–$6 carne tacos), Carnitas Ramirez. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $3.19 (verified via Uber Eats; 1503 Lexington Ave Manhattan store lists $3.65, implying ~$3.19 in-store after standard markup).", "localNote": "New York's taqueria scene is led by destination spots like Los Tacos No. 1, Birria-Landia, and Taquería Ramirez, and prices have risen sharply in recent years. The city now sits near the top of the chart for fast-casual taco prices, behind only San Francisco." }, { "city": "Oklahoma City", "state": "OK", "slug": "oklahoma-city", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.75, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.27, "medianHourlyWage": 22.06, "tacosPerHour": 9.7, "msaName": "Oklahoma City, OK", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Chelino's, Tacos San Pedro (~$2.75 standard); Taqueria Sanchez and street trucks run as low as $1–2/taco. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (low-cost market).", "localNote": "Oklahoma City's taco scene is anchored by a strong Mexican-American community with a concentration of family-owned taquerias offering street taco prices well below the national average." }, { "city": "Orlando", "state": "FL", "slug": "orlando", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.5, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.25, "medianHourlyWage": 21.83, "tacosPerHour": 9.7, "msaName": "Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tortas El Rey ($0.50–$1.62 lunch specials), Ocoee Taco Company ($1.80+), Tacos Mazatlán, El Pueblo (~$1.75), El Ranchito, Birria1983. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Orlando has one of the most affordable taco scenes among large Southern cities, with strong supply along Semoran Boulevard, Hiawassee Road, and the Kissimmee corridor. Local taquerias like Tortas El Rey have kept everyday taco prices well under $3, with promotional days dropping below $1." }, { "city": "Philadelphia", "state": "PA", "slug": "philadelphia", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.0, "chainTacoPrice": 2.19, "avgTacoPrice": 3.09, "medianHourlyWage": 24.89, "tacosPerHour": 8.1, "msaName": "Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: South Philly Barbacoa ($4–$6), Tacos El Rodeo (Pennsport, 1000 Washington Ave), Taco Loco (400 Washington Ave), Mi Pueblito Tacos (Front & Dickinson), El Tlaloc. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.19 (Northeast urban tier).", "localNote": "Philadelphia's taco scene is centered on the Mexican community along the South 9th Street corridor, where South Philly Barbacoa and a handful of Italian Market taquerias have built a national reputation. Prices skew higher than most Northeast cities outside New York, reflecting the destination quality of the standout spots and Philly's elevated food-cost environment." }, { "city": "Phoenix", "state": "AZ", "slug": "phoenix", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.0, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.5, "medianHourlyWage": 23.96, "tacosPerHour": 9.6, "msaName": "Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos Chiwas (~$3 each), La Frontera (low-$2 truck pricing), Ta'Carbon, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Phoenix and the surrounding Valley have one of the largest concentrations of Sonoran-style taquerias in the country, particularly in Maryvale, South Phoenix, and along Van Buren Street. Prices sit near the national average, kept moderate by the metro's deep supply and competitive food-truck scene." }, { "city": "Portland", "state": "OR", "slug": "portland", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.5, "chainTacoPrice": 2.29, "avgTacoPrice": 3.4, "medianHourlyWage": 28.38, "tacosPerHour": 8.3, "msaName": "Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Por Que No (above-average taqueria pricing), Taqueria Lindo Michoacan, Taco Pedaler, food-cart pods citywide; Portland Taco Week 2025 set $5 specialty as its discount benchmark. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.29 (PNW tier).", "localNote": "Portland's taco economy is dominated by food carts, with the bulk of the scene clustered in pods rather than traditional taquerias. Pacific Northwest cost pressures and a more design-forward operator base have pushed standard taco prices above the national norm." }, { "city": "Raleigh", "state": "NC", "slug": "raleigh", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.25, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.62, "medianHourlyWage": 23.83, "tacosPerHour": 9.1, "msaName": "Raleigh-Cary, NC", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Los Tacos de Garcia ($3 standard), G's Tacos, Taqueria la Capital. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "The Raleigh–Durham area has a rapidly growing taqueria scene supported by recent Hispanic population growth and the metro's broader food-economy expansion. Prices remain moderate, with most standard tacos landing in the $3–3.50 range." }, { "city": "Sacramento", "state": "CA", "slug": "sacramento", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.5, "chainTacoPrice": 2.49, "avgTacoPrice": 3.0, "medianHourlyWage": 28.31, "tacosPerHour": 9.4, "msaName": "Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Chando's Tacos (~$3.92 standard, $2.50 Taco Tuesday), California Street Tacos, Authentic Street Taco. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.49 (CA FAST Act premium).", "localNote": "Sacramento's taco scene blends Central Valley Mexican-American traditions with a steady wave of newer Bay Area–influenced operators. Prices reflect California's general cost premium but remain noticeably below the Bay Area, with mid-$3 standard at established taquerias." }, { "city": "San Antonio", "state": "TX", "slug": "san-antonio", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.75, "chainTacoPrice": 1.79, "avgTacoPrice": 2.27, "medianHourlyWage": 22.12, "tacosPerHour": 9.7, "msaName": "San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Taqueria Datapoint ($2.50 pastor / carnitas / pollo / asada; $2.75 lengua / fajita), Tacos On The Street, Street Taco Company. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.79 (Texas-low TB tier).", "localNote": "San Antonio has one of the densest concentrations of taquerias per capita in the country. Prices have remained low relative to other major Texas cities, reflecting both the local food culture and cost of living." }, { "city": "San Diego", "state": "CA", "slug": "san-diego", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.5, "chainTacoPrice": 2.49, "avgTacoPrice": 3.0, "medianHourlyWage": 27.2, "tacosPerHour": 9.1, "msaName": "San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos El Gordo ($2.60 in-store adobada anchor), Salud Tacos (Barrio Logan), Taqueria Revolucion. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.49 (CA FAST Act premium). Note: SD has wide variance — Tacos El Gordo's $2.60 is unusually low while many beach taquerias run $4–5.", "localNote": "San Diego's proximity to Tijuana shapes the local taco scene, with the city's signature adobada style imported directly from across the border. Prices vary widely — Tacos El Gordo sets a low anchor near $2.60 while many beach-area taquerias run $4–5." }, { "city": "San Francisco", "state": "CA", "slug": "san-francisco", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 5.0, "chainTacoPrice": 3.09, "avgTacoPrice": 4.04, "medianHourlyWage": 35.56, "tacosPerHour": 8.8, "msaName": "San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: La Taqueria (Michelin-listed), El Farolito, Taqueria San Jose, Taqueria Guadalajara — brick-and-mortar Mission taquerias typically run $4.50–$6 per taco in 2025–26. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $3.09 (verified via Uber Eats; 691 Eddy St Tenderloin store lists $3.59, implying ~$3.09 in-store after standard markup; CA FAST Act + SF rents).", "localNote": "San Francisco sits at the top of the country for taco prices, with Mission District destination spots like La Taqueria, El Farolito, and Taqueria San Jose now charging $5 or more per taco. The combination of the highest fast-food labor costs in the country and elevated commercial rents pushes both fast-casual and chain prices above every other city in the index." }, { "city": "Seattle", "state": "WA", "slug": "seattle", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 4.0, "chainTacoPrice": 2.39, "avgTacoPrice": 3.2, "medianHourlyWage": 32.46, "tacosPerHour": 10.1, "msaName": "Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos Chukis ($2.75–$3.20 pastor / carnitas anchor), El Camion, Taqueria La Fondita, El Asadero — most trucks / taquerias $3.50–$5. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.39 (verified via Uber Eats; 3 of 5 stores list $2.79, implying ~$2.39 in-store; PNW tier).", "localNote": "Seattle's taco scene has grown dramatically in the last decade, with Tacos Chukis and a handful of Capitol Hill / Beacon Hill operators driving most of the volume. Pacific Northwest cost-of-living and Washington's high minimum wage place taco prices well above the national mid-tier." }, { "city": "St. Louis", "state": "MO", "slug": "st-louis", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.25, "chainTacoPrice": 1.89, "avgTacoPrice": 2.57, "medianHourlyWage": 23.21, "tacosPerHour": 9.0, "msaName": "St. Louis, MO-IL", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Cherokee Street corridor — Taqueria El Bronco (2817 Cherokee), Mestiza (opened late 2024), El Mezon Taco Truck. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.89 (mid-low cost market). Caveat: per-taco published prices for STL taquerias are thin online; figure represents Midwest taqueria norms.", "localNote": "St. Louis's taco scene is centered on Cherokee Street, the city's Latin food corridor, with anchors like Taqueria El Bronco serving the area for decades. Prices are typical of Midwest taqueria pricing, holding mostly in the $3–3.50 range." }, { "city": "Tampa", "state": "FL", "slug": "tampa", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 2.79, "chainTacoPrice": 1.99, "avgTacoPrice": 2.39, "medianHourlyWage": 22.94, "tacosPerHour": 9.6, "msaName": "Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: Tacos Gone Mobile ($2.39 regular corn-tortilla taco across multiple Tampa locations), Lolis Tacos, La Taqueria el Nopal. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $1.99 (national avg).", "localNote": "Tampa's taco scene includes both Florida's typical food-truck operators and a growing set of brick-and-mortar taquerias, particularly in Plant City, Town 'N' Country, and East Tampa. Standard pricing tracks closely to Orlando, with most tacos landing well under $3." }, { "city": "Washington", "state": "DC", "slug": "washington-dc", "fastCasualTacoPrice": 3.99, "chainTacoPrice": 2.29, "avgTacoPrice": 3.14, "medianHourlyWage": 32.9, "tacosPerHour": 10.5, "msaName": "Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV", "wageYear": 2024, "tacoSourceNote": "Fast-casual: District Taco ($3.49+ standard, 3-for-$9 Tuesday), Taqueria Xochi (U Street fast-casual), Tacos El Chilango, Tacos Los Primos, El Sol Food Truck. Chain: Taco Bell crunchy taco $2.29 (DC urban tier).", "localNote": "DC's taco scene has matured rapidly since the mid-2010s, anchored by District Taco and a wave of newer fast-casual operators like Taqueria Xochi. The city's high cost of doing business pushes per-taco prices into the upper-coastal tier, even as DC's elevated wages keep its overall affordability in the middle of the index." } ]