I heard an interesting discussion of the value of the krugerrand (apparently much undervalued) today that said that economists use the price of a Big Mac (a basic hamburger on the McDonald's menu) as a valid measure of the relative strength of various currencies.<BR><BR>I wonder if European Fodorites would be willing to quote the price (if they know or can find out) of a Big Mac in their city, either in Euros or in their original currency or both.<BR><BR>Meanwhile, does anyone know if a Big Mac costs the same throughout the USA?

there is a big mac indice at the currency website Oanda, but unfortunately I couldn't access the site right now.

got it-http://www.oanda.com/products/bigmac/bigmac.shtml<BR><BR>incidently, I have the pleasure of living in the most expensive Big Mac country in the world. Interesting to see that Hong Kong is actually quite cheap.

A Big Mac does not cost the same across the U.S. As a matter of fact, it can differ from store to store, even in the same city.<BR>

In Portugal -&gt; 3.5 Euros

In Switzerland: CHF 6.30 (year 1999), roughly $4.-.<BR>But I must point out, that McDo Switzerland has not updated its website since 1999.<BR>As I don't go to McDo, I can't even tell you whether the price has gone up.

This is a post I made on the Asia board referencing the "Big Mac Index" on a question about the highest purchasing power with the U.S. dollar. <BR><BR>Author: philip ([email protected])<BR>Date: 01/06/2002, 04:35 pm<BR>Message: There is an economic tool called the Big Mac Index. Basically, what is the cost in U.S. dollars for a Big Mac in variety of countries. (Attached is a link to an April 2001 article in the Economist. <BR>http://www.economist.com/markets/bigmac/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=472727<BR><BR>For reference the data shows the Phillipines at $1.06, Malaysia at $1.19, Thailand at $1.21, Brazil at $1.51, the U.S. at $2.55 and the U.K. at $2.99. <BR><BR>

$2.89 & $2.99 (before tax) at different McD's in Greenwich Village, NYC

In Bucharest is 39000 lei, really great, I like it rare and bloody in the middle. Pofta buna!