Americans are finally catching a break.
A new DoorDash report shows that families are spending smarter, small businesses are staying steady, and paychecks are starting to go further — all signs of a real turnaround under President Donald Trump’s economic policies.
The “State of Local Commerce” report analyzed millions of DoorDash transactions to paint a picture of what’s really happening on Main Street.
DoorDash used three simple measures to track affordability: the Everyday Essentials Index, the Cheeseburger Index, and the Breakfast Basics Index — each showing how prices for household goods, meals, and groceries are stabilizing.
The Everyday Essentials Index — which tracks must-have items like diapers, shampoo, toothpaste, and pain medicine — has stayed flat over the past year. After years of price hikes under Biden, that’s a welcome change.
Fast-casual meals ticked up slightly. DoorDash’s Cheeseburger Index found that the cost of a burger, fries, and soda rose just 3.8% nationwide. But some areas are still feeling the pinch — $10.75 for the meal in Lincoln, Nebraska, compared to $25.55 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Breakfast prices, however, are falling fast. The Breakfast Basics Index — covering eggs, milk, bagels, and avocados — dropped 14% from March to September as egg prices cooled. Overall, breakfast costs are down 1.7% year-over-year.
DoorDash’s analytics chief, Jessica Lachs, said the real story lies in how different cities are seeing their own unique recoveries. “When you look city to city, there’s a ton of variation,” she told Fox Business. “That variation paints a picture of just how nuanced all of this is.”
But one message is clear — paychecks are stretching further. Since early 2024, wages have outpaced restaurant prices, meaning Americans can finally buy more with their money. In Port St. Lucie, Florida, pay is up 6.1%. In Madison, Wisconsin, it’s up 4.1%.
The White House says that’s no accident.
“After inheriting an economic catastrophe, President Trump quickly stopped Joe Biden’s inflation crisis with the Consumer Price Index at its lowest levels in four years,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers.
“President Trump’s pro-growth policies will continue to supercharge wage growth and drive down costs as he works to Make America Affordable Again.”
From household basics to breakfast tables, everyday Americans are feeling the difference — and this time, it’s good news.