text:  A holiday cookout could cost you less than eating out this 4th of July. WTOP reporter Dan Ronan did the math. The Wells Fargo Agricultural Report says a home-cooked burger costs a little more than $2 per burger. The same burger at a moderately priced restaurant is more than $7. If you're looking for budget-friendly sides, try homemade potato salad. White potatoes have declined 4% in the last year.