The United States boasts an incredible array of travel destinations, from soaring mountains to coastal seas, bustling metropolises, and vast national parks.
For those dreaming of a vacation that won’t break the bank, exploring popular yet relatively budget-friendly cities is key.
Drawing inspiration from a recent WeThrift study, this post highlights 16 such destinations.
WeThrift, a website dedicated to helping shoppers save, analyzed various data points like flight routes, passenger numbers, attraction costs, meal prices, and public transport costs to rank popular U.S. cities by affordability, assigning each an affordability score out of 80 points.
Here are the top 16 trendy and budget-friendly cities in the U.S.:
1: Orlando
According to WeThrift, Orlando ranks as the most affordable popular vacation spot in the U.S.. This city, famous for its theme parks, features a major airport and offers inexpensive public transportation.
Food costs are low, and hotels average around $192.86 per night. While major attractions like Disney World and Universal can be expensive, the affordability of other aspects contributed to Orlando’s strong score of 47.2 in WeThrift’s study.
It’s a great option for budget-conscious travelers looking for fun beyond the main theme parks.
2: San Antonio
San Antonio received an impressive affordability score of 46.7 from WeThrift. This Texas city is known for its low-cost attractions, many of which are entirely free to visit.
Notable examples include the iconic River Walk and the historic Alamo. San Antonio also features inexpensive dining options, with meals averaging around $18 per person.
These factors combine to make San Antonio a very budget-friendly destination for travelers interested in history and culture without overspending on activities or food.
3: Atlanta
Atlanta earned a score of 45.4, largely due to its budget-friendly accommodation and affordable public transportation.
Hotels in Atlanta have a low average cost of $147.84, and public transport averages just $2.50. Although some city tours might be costly, Atlanta offers a wealth of free and low-cost activities to explore.
Examples include the beautiful Piedmont Park and the intriguing World of Coca-Cola museum. These affordable aspects make Atlanta an accessible city for budget travelers looking to experience a major Southern hub.
4: Dallas
Dallas is identified as a pretty budget-friendly vacation destination, evidenced by its score of 45.4. The city is well-connected with 256 flight routes, making getting there potentially easier and cheaper.
Drinks are reasonably priced at around $4.67, and hotels average an affordable $144.32. While some attractions in Dallas can be expensive, many others are completely free.
For example, visitors can explore the Dallas Farmers Market, which is open seven days a week, or the Dallas Museum of Art without paying an entrance fee.
5: Chicago
Chicago, known as the Windy City, offers numerous sights and activities, from Millennium Park to the Magnificent Mile.
Visiting Chicago is possible without spending a fortune, as reflected by its score of 42.6 on WeThrift’s list. The city benefits from having 246 flight routes, contributing to potentially lower travel costs.
Attractions are relatively low-cost, and food averages around $20 per person. These elements make Chicago a destination where travelers can experience its famous landmarks and culture while keeping a close eye on their budget.
6: St. Louis
St. Louis achieved a score of 38.7 in the WeThrift study, positioning it as a solid budget option. Attraction tickets here are among the lowest on the list, averaging $115.34.
Accommodation is also relatively affordable, with an average cost of $165.23 per night. St. Louis is a particularly good choice for those interested in American history.
The city is home to significant sites like the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, the Missouri Civil War Museum, and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
7: Philadelphia
Philadelphia offers good accessibility, with 122 flight routes making it relatively easy to find a direct flight from various parts of the country.
The City of Brotherly Love scored 38.7 on WeThrift’s list. Its score was helped by low-cost attractions, averaging $109.51.
However, it faces the challenge of higher accommodation costs, which average $228.10 per night.
Despite the lodging expense, the affordability of activities contributes significantly to making Philadelphia a viable budget destination for history and culture enthusiasts.
8: Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a desirable destination for many, whether for enjoying the sun, celebrity spotting, or enjoying late-night tacos.
While LA is known for its high cost of living, it offers some budget-friendly aspects. Hotels are not the most affordable, averaging $371.96 per night.
However, public transportation in LA is notable for being the lowest in WeThrift’s study, averaging just $1.75.
This inexpensive transit option helped Los Angeles achieve a WeThrift score of 33.3, making it partially accessible for budget travelers.
9: Las Vegas
Visiting Las Vegas on a strict budget presents a challenge. Attraction tickets in Sin City are quite expensive, averaging $234.93.
Public transportation costs around $3, which is relatively low but doesn’t offset other expenses. Alongside Los Angeles, Las Vegas received a WeThrift score of 33.3.
While winning the jackpot would certainly help the budget, travelers need to be strategic about spending on attractions and activities to make a trip to Las Vegas more affordable.
10: Boston
Boston is one of three cities to share a WeThrift score of 33.3. A drink in Boston averages around $5.70, which isn’t the lowest, but travelers can save money on attraction tickets compared to many other cities on the list.
Attraction tickets average $167.64 in Boston. History buffs will appreciate the free-to-explore Freedom Trail. Bibliophiles can enjoy a free tour of the Boston Public Library.
These free activities contribute to making Boston a more affordable option for culture and history enthusiasts.
11: Miami
Miami, also known as the Magic City, poses challenges for budget travelers, particularly due to high accommodation costs, especially during peak season. Food is also expensive, averaging $25 per meal.
However, travelers can find some relief with the city’s public transportation, which averages $2.25. Given these factors, WeThrift assigned Miami a score of 28.0.
For budget travelers, it’s recommended to utilize Miami’s free public beaches to save money on activities and entertainment.
12: Washington, DC
Visiting the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., can be expensive, especially if staying in the downtown area.
Washington, D.C. scored 26.8 in WeThrift’s study. Expensive attraction tickets significantly reduced its score. However, there is good news for budget-conscious travelers: many of the city’s most impressive sites are free to explore.
These include national treasures like the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums. Focusing on these free options is key to visiting D.C. on a budget.
13: New York City
New York City is famously one of the most expensive places to live, and budget travelers must be cautious to avoid overspending there.
WeThrift gave the Big Apple a score of 24.6. Relatively inexpensive public transportation, averaging $2.90, helped prevent its score from being even lower.
Despite the cost, the city offers many free or low-cost activities like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or exploring Central Park.
Careful planning around meals, activities, and accommodation is crucial for a budget trip to NYC.
14: San Francisco
Visiting San Francisco on a budget is challenging, as indicated by its WeThrift score of 22.0. The city is known for high costs, particularly accommodation.
The average accommodation price is $269.72 per night. If you’re traveling with limited funds but wish to see landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, considering alternative lodging such as hostels or shared Airbnb is highly recommended. These options can help significantly reduce the cost of staying in San Francisco.
15: San Diego
San Diego is an appealing choice for those seeking a sunny California vacation, but it requires having the necessary funds.
San Diego received a score of 17.4 in WeThrift’s study, making it one of the less affordable options. High drink costs, averaging $5.62, and expensive attraction tickets, averaging $229.67, were identified as key factors contributing to its low score.
To visit San Diego on a budget, travelers would need to prioritize carefully and potentially limit paid activities and dining out.
16: Honolulu
Based on WeThrift’s data, Honolulu is ranked as the most expensive popular tourist city in the U.S., scoring just 10.7. Everything in Honolulu tends to be costly, from activities to accommodation.
The average cost for an attraction ticket is $274.96, and accommodation averages $304.43 per night. Vacationing in The Big Pineapple requires a substantial budget.
While the natural beauty is free, the operational costs of visiting this remote destination contribute to its high price point.
Alicia Richards