 A holiday cookout could cost you less than eating out this Fourth of July. WTOP reporter Jan Ronan did the math. The Wells Fargo Agricultural Report says a home-cooked burger costs a little more than two dollars per burger. The same burger at a moderately priced restaurant is more than seven dollars. If you're looking for budget-friendly sides, try homemade potato salad. White potatoes have declined four percent in the last year.