12 Cheapest Cities in the USA to Visit in 2024

Cheapest cities in the USA. Notedbook, map, dollars

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Looking for the cheapest cities in the USA for your next vacation? Budget travel in the US is definitely possible, but it requires some research ahead of your visit. Since the US is so massive, you’ll likely want to stick to a particular region to avoid flying between destinations. Road trips in the US are very popular, of course, but renting a car can definitely add up!

The cheapest places to visit in USA are often cities, simply due to the diversity of options available.

When you visit small towns, your common travel expenses might be slightly lower, but you’ll have fewer options for accommodation and activities, so you might spend more than necessary.

Also, keep in mind the travel costs to get there. Flights to larger cities are often cheaper, as well as being more readily available and likely direct.

Here are some of the cheap places to travel in the US that you should definitely add to your bucket list. We’ve started with the most affordable and have included the price of high-season accommodation and free/cheap things to do in each city. Let us know in the comments if we’ve missed anything!

If you aren’t too bothered about the weather, you might also like our guide to the best places in the US to visit in December for skiing, shopping and chocolate box towns.

Cheap Places to Travel in the US

Before you start researching cheap places to travel in the U.S consider what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Are you willing to consider more affordable hotels or apartments not quite in the center of the location or are you strapped for time and need to be close to the main attractions?

Saving time can save you money, making your budget stretch.

How do you plan to get there?

Red-eye flights may be cheap on paper, but if you need to pay for a taxi to get to the airport as public transport is off at night, then it often works out the same as paying for a day flight.

If visiting by car, consider parking charges and accommodation with free parking.

Consider low or shoulder (generally spring and fall) season for cheaper trips too.

Read our guide on the best places to visit in US this March for location ideas.

Cheapest Cities in the USA

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque is a destination for everyone. Art lovers, history buffs, outdoor adventurers…this quirky place has it all.

If you visit during the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, prices will obviously rise.

But visit most any other time of year to take advantage of very affordable prices.

High-season apartments start at $104 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $60 per night, making it one of the cheapest places in America to visit.

New Mexico, Albuquerque scenic mountain landscape shot at Sandia Peak National Park

Free or Cheap Things to do in Albuquerque

  • Learn more about history during this e-bike tour
  • Go for the Balloon Fiesta in October
  • Sunrise hot air balloon ride, pricey but bucket list item for many
  • Take the Sandia Peak Tramway for lovely views
  • See the Petroglyph National Monument
  • Hop onto historic Route 66 to get your kicks
  • Wander the Old Town, buy crafts from local makers
  • Enjoy some wine tastings
  • Bar hop at the Brewery District

Albuquerque also features in our romantic US destinations guide and the best places to visit in June.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Where to Stay

A cozy backyard patio in Old Town Albuquerque

2. Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, or Indy as it is affectionately called by locals, is one of the cheapest places to live in the US.

While downtown is often the first stop, there are cool neighorhoods to explore depending on your style of travel.

Apartments in high season start at $100 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $100 per night, making it one of the best cheap places to vacation in the US for those on a budget who are looking for a city experience.

Free or Cheap Things to do in Indianapolis

  • Enjoy the 3,900 acres of forest at Eagle Creek Park
  • Take a stroll through Historic Irvington to see the old houses
  • Try this 3-hour scavenger hunt challenge
  • Visit during Hallowe’en for a week of celebrations
  • For the kids, there’s the world’s biggest children’s museum
  • Play sport at Riverside Park
  • Cycle along the Cultural Trail
  • Check out events at the American Indian Center of Indiana
  • Dine at Indianapolis City Market

Since Indy is known as the Crossroads of America, it makes an ideal base for a road trip to Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville or St. Louis.

Where To Stay For Cheap

3. Athens, Georgia

As another college town, Athens offers plenty of options as one of the cheap cities to visit in USA.

Tons of activities and places of interest are free or very affordable, so you can spend a weekend here without busting that wallet at all!

A great alternative to larger Atlanta, Athens is a southern city with history and charm.

But student life pushes forward with live music, art, and plenty of hipster culture.

There’s plenty to explore outdoors and plenty of happy hour specials to enjoy after a day out and about.

High-season apartments start at $140 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $100 per night.

Free or Cheap Things to do in Athens

  • Wander the University of Georgia campus
  • Stroll the grounds of the Botanical Garden of Georgia
  • Visit the Georgia Museum of Art
  • Eat your way through the Athens Farmers Market
  • Cycle along the popular Firefly Trail
  • Cheers to cheap college-town happy hour deals
Athens-Georgia skyline at sunset

Where To Stay For Cheap

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Known as Steel City, Pittsburgh has traditionally been a working-class city with prices to match.

It goes easy on your wallet while filling your stomach and your soul with good people, interesting attractions, and good eats!

But that’s not all to love about Pittsburgh.

This city loves art as much as sports (okay, maybe almost as much) Check out the Andy Warhol Museum.

Pittsburgh also has more bridges than any other city in the world – even Venice!

Apartments in the high season start at $104 for the entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $130 per night.

If you are a budget or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $35. Very few of the cheapest cities in US have hostel options.

Free or cheap things to do in Pittsburgh

  • Wander the massive Emerald View Park
  • Enjoy the views from Mt. Washington
  • See the world’s largest Bic Mac statue (yes, seriously)
  • Discover the city during this 3-hour bike tour
  • Take a Pittsburgh Art in Public Places tour downtown or in the Oakland neighbourhood
  • Visit the Andy Warhol Museum
  • Do a self-guided tour of the Old Allegheny County Jail Museum
  • Or a whiskey tour in Downtown
  • Make a reservation for a free evening tour of the Allegheny Observatory
  • Enjoy plenty of live music all around the city!

Where To Stay For Cheap

Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania skyline with bridge and water

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is known as the home to the Mormon Church, but there’s so much more to this capital city!

If you’re keen to visit some national parks, this is a great launching off point.

Head to Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, or Bryce Canyon National Parks to get out and enjoy the wonders of nature.

Snow lovers also enjoy popping into Salt Lake City before hitting the slopes.

High-season apartments start at $104 for an entire place and hotel rooms go from around $105 per night.

If you are a budget or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $27. 

Free or Cheap Things to do in Salt Lake City

  • Awe at the Great Salt Lake
  • Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts
  • Tour Temple Square
  • Visit Antelope Island State Park
  • Learn at the Family History Library
  • Visit the Utah State Capitol building
  • Go skiing in winter!
  • Enjoy the many outdoor concerts in Temple Square

Where To Stay For Cheap

Salt Lake City also features in our guide, the best places to visit in the US in January.

Salt Lake City skyline with snowy mountains.

6. Kansas City, Missouri

I haven’t been to KC yet (I was supposed to visit in 2020, but alas), but Kansas City is definitely one of the cheapest cities to visit in US.

And just think of allllll that delicious BBQ!

Money Crashers quotes the average price of a hotel in Kansas City at $139 per night.

But you can definitely stay for less than that!

High-season apartments start at $120 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $100 per night.

If you are a budget or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $44. 

Free or Cheap Things to do in KC

  • Enjoy a free tour at Boulevard Brewing Company
  • Check out the Harley-Davidson Plant
  • Bring the little ones to the art studio at Kaleidoscope
  • Be a big kid at Legoland
  • Take advantage of the totally free KC Streetcar
  • Eat your way through the historic River Market
  • Learn about the Federal Reserve at The Money Museum
  • Have fun at the Crossroads Art District on First Fridays, with music, food trucks, and plenty of vendors
  • Seek out the Secret Garden at Kauffman Legacy Park

Where To Stay For Cheap

  • Best Western at Seville Plaza with free breakfast for under $100 per night
  • 3-star hotel with spacious rooms at affordable prices under $100 per night

7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City is nicknamed “The Big Friendly,” and visitors will find it budget-friendly. Historic old Route 66 runs through the city and is dotted with landmarks and museums you can visit for free, including the Oklahoma State Capitol.

High-season apartments start at $105 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $130 per night.

Free or Cheap Things to do in Oklahoma City

  • Check out the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  • Visit the American Banjo Museum
  • Take the kids to Frontier City
  • Pay homage to the victims at the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum
  • Relive the Wild West at Stockyards City
  • Have fun in the Paseo Arts District
  • Hire a car and visit the Keystone Ancient Forest

My good friend Steph, runs an Oklahoma travel site worth checking out too. Start with her guide to secret spots in Oklahoma.

Where To Stay For Cheap

  • Holiday Inn at Downtown for under $120 per night
  • La Quinta close to the convention center for under $100 per night
Oklahoma City skyscrapers

8. St. Augustine, Florida

Known for its history and culture, St Augustine is ideal for a sunny, warm vacation without the price tags associated with the more popular destinations of Key West, Miami.

History lovers will especially appreciate this destination with some of the most extensive architectural history in the US.

Flagler College is here, too, so you’re sure to find some great deals that appeal to student budgets!

High-season apartments start at $104 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $160 per night.

Front view of The Lightner Museum old Hotel Alcazar St Augustine Florida

Free or cheap things to do in St Augustine

  • Save time and money using the hop on and off trolley
  • Visit the oldest fort in the Americas, Castillo de San Marcos
  • Explore the Old Jail
  • Wander the Old City
  • Hop aboard the haunted trolly tour
  • Stroll along St. Augustine Beach
  • Bask in beautiful nature at Anastasia State Park
  • Learn local history at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
  • Check out the national parks on the east coast, hiking is relatively cheap!

You may also like | Add to your Florida bucket list

St Augustine Distillery sign

Where To Stay For Cheap

  • Days Inn for under $100 per night. Historic St Augustine is 6.3 miles away. Pool at the property
  • Holiday Inn World Golf, an IHG Hotel is a little more expensive at $120 per night
Side view of Flagler College, Hotel Ponce de León at St Augustine Florida

9. San Antonio, Texas

The USA has only 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is San Antonio’s Spanish colonial missions.

If that’s not reason enough to visit this fun city, then check out the fantastic food scene, the many layers of history, and the awesome outdoor adventures you can enjoy.

The River Walk is an ever-popular favorite, as is the Alamo.

But there are plenty of other reasons why San Antonio is one of the cheapest US cities to visit, especially in comparison to other Texas cities such as Dallas.

High-season apartments start at $120 for an entire place and hotel rooms go from around $130 per night.

Free or Cheap Things to do in San Antonio

  • Visit the Alamo
  • Stroll along the popular River Walk
  • Discover the city through this 2.5-hour scavenger hunt
  • Feel the thrills at Six Flags (not free, but worth the splurge!)
  • Time your visit for the Tamales Festival
  • Take a safari drive at Natural Wildlife Ranch
  • Have a picnic at Brackenridge Park
  • Enjoy the lush Japanese Tea Gardens
  • Visit historic San Jose Mission
  • Stroll around the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
  • Explore Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Get a Go San Antonio pass to save money

Where To Stay For Cheap

San Antonio also features in our guide on the best places to visit in February.

Colorful umbrellas of restaurants along the San Antonio Riverwalk in Texas

10. Washington, DC

While not one of the cheapest cities to visit in USA for accommodation or dining out, DC offers tons of things to do for free!

Travel is sometimes about balancing the budget, right?

All of the Smithsonian Museums are free to enter, as are the Capitol and the White House (with advance planning).

I used to live in DC and work downtown, so I’d spend lunch breaks wandering the latest exhibits.

It’s incredible what you can do at little or no cost in the nation’s capital!

High-season apartments start at $130 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $180 per night.

If you are a budget and/or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $35.

Washington DC. Cherry Blossom

Free or Cheap Things to do in DC

  • Marvel at the Air and Space Museum
  • (Un)learn what you know about First Nations at the National Museum of the American Indian
  • Dig deep into the history of Black people in the US at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It’s not an easy visit but SO important.
  • Wander the Portrait Gallery
  • Explore the American Art Museum
  • Check out some fun pop-culture exhibits at the American History Museum
  • Pretend to be a dinosaur at the Museum of Natural History
  • Contact your local representative for tickets to tour the US Capitol or the White House (do this as soon as you know your travel dates)
  • Go to the Sculpture Garden to enjoy Jazz in the Garden on Friday evenings in the summer or ice skating in the winter
  • See DC, Maryland, and Virginia from high on the Capitol Wheel
Cherry Blossoms at Tidal Basin Washington Monument

Where To Stay For Cheap

Washington Monument on the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC

11. New Orleans, Louisiana

There will probably never be a list of US cities to visit that doesn’t include New Orleans.

It is of the more affordable and popular major cities to visit if you avoid Mardi Gras.

High-season apartments start at $143 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $100 per night.

The most popular hotels in NOLA are really expensive; just a heads up if you have your sights set on an Instagram-worthy hotel room!

If you are a budget or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $62. 

I stayed for a week in the French Quarter and spent only $320. I probably spent the same amount on food and drink that week…

Worth it!

While NOLA is not one of the cheapest places to travel in the US there are affordable activities you can do.

I stress again, avoid Mardis Gras if you are counting your cents.

Couple with Hand Grenades cocktails on Bourbon Street

Free or Cheap Things to do in New Orleans

  • Wander through some really old cemeteries
  • Learn more about the dark side of NOLA with this tour
  • Hang out in the ever-popular French Quarter
  • Listen to fantastic live music on every street corner
  • Take a streetcar to see more of the city, including historic mansions
  • Eat everything! Beignets, po’ boys, gumbo…the food is amazing!
  • Visit the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum
  • Join a Second Line parade!
  • Treat yourself to a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

You may also like | Things to do in New Orleans

Where To Stay For Cheap

New Orleans Beads

12. San Diego, California

California definitely is not a cheap state to visit in the US however you don’t have to skip it altogether; just avoid San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Accommodation, food and drink are pricey in both cities, but you can still explore The Golden State by adding America’s Finest City to your west coast itinerary.

San Diego can be one of the cheapest cities to visit in the US because of its outdoor lifestyle.

You can keep the costs down when you’re comfortable walking between destinations, enjoying outdoor activities, and even considering picnics in the parks over expensive meals out!

High-season apartments start at $153 for an entire place, and hotel rooms go from around $150 per night.

If you are a budget or social traveler, hostel dorms start as low as $32. 

Free or Cheap Things to do in San Diego

  • Hit the beach!
  • Join a cheap cruise
  • Wander the fun Gaslamp District
  • Window shop along the popular shopping strip at the Embarcadero
  • Take a picnic to Mission Bay Park
  • Learn in the historic Old Town, many buildings are free to enter
  • Hire a car and enjoy the views along the 59-Mile Scenic Drive
  • Stroll through stunning 16 museums at Balboa Park

Where To Stay For Cheap

Mission Bay & Beaches in San Diego, California

Tips on How To Travel Cheap in the US

  • Visit your chosen destination in the low season when hotel prices are a steal
  • Research the bus options between areas
  • Check the price of public buses and Uber from airports to your accommodation
  • Walk whenever you can, getting your steps up will save you money
  • Enjoy a big lunch and a small dinner, looking out for afternoon deals
  • Ask for a doggy bag, carry collapsible Tupperware to avoid single-use packaging
  • Fill up a water bottle before you leave your accommodation
  • If staying at a hotel, as the reception staff for attraction coupons
  • Consider skip the line tickets, they save you time which then saves you money!
  • Head to the beach or park and enjoy a picnic
  • Hike for viewpoints instead of paying double-figure entry fees

What tips do you have for budget travel in the US?

Final Words

So there you have it. Stretch your budget with these cheapest US cities to visit.

Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

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The cheapest cities to visit in the USA for weekend trips, family vacations and road trips. Affordable cities to visit that don't skimp on fun. Click to read!

Which are your favorite cheapest places to travel in the US?

2 thoughts on “12 Cheapest Cities in the USA to Visit in 2024

  1. Khan Muhammad Mumtaz says:

    Very informative and useful informations I have got. I have US visa and planning to visit in near future. I will be thankful to you if you provide me the off season by months and weather. Thanks

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