Delivery vs Cooking Cost Calculator Compare cash cost and opportunity cost per meal
Instant conclusion
The conclusion stays the same after adding time value.
Step 1: Enter meal costs on both sides
Delivery
Include the time you spend tracking, waiting downstairs or picking up the order.
Cooking at home
Step 2: Add time value and frequency
Use your hourly wage or the amount you are willing to pay to save one hour.
Used to estimate monthly and yearly differences.
Step 3: Money vs total-cost chart
Monthly, yearly and investing extension
Compound-interest estimate assumes monthly contributions, 5% annual return and 10 years. It is not investment advice.
Delivery vs cooking at home: what is the real cost?
This calculator compares food delivery and home cooking with both cash spending and the hidden value of time. Shopping, cooking, cleaning and waiting are converted into opportunity cost, so the cheapest receipt is not always the cheapest real meal.
Why include time?
The online food delivery economy sells convenience. If your evening is scarce, delivery may buy back time; if cooking is relaxing or batch-prepped, home cooking can win twice.
- Compare money-only and money-plus-time costs side by side.
- Estimate monthly and yearly impact from weekly frequency.
- Model investing the monthly saving with a simple compound interest assumption.
Try the related payment method comparator and car-free savings calculator.
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