Choosing the right city is the single biggest lever budget travelers have in the United States. Two trips with the same length and travel style can differ by $800–$2,000 purely based on destination choice. This guide identifies the cheapest cities to travel in the USA and explains why they are affordable using aggressive budget math, regional groupings, and family-specific cost notes—so your planning is grounded in numbers, not guesswork.
- How We Calculated the Cheapest Cities
- Cheapest Cities to Travel USA – Quick Comparison
- City-by-City Cost Breakdowns
- Regional Groupings: Where Budget Travel Wins
- Aggressive Budget Math: How Much You Actually Save
- Cheapest Cities vs Expensive Cities (Side-by-Side)
- Family-Specific Cost Notes (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
- Hidden Costs Still Present (Even in Cheap Cities)
- How to Keep Costs Low in Cheap US Cities
- FAQ: Cheapest Cities to Travel USA
- Related Cost Guides
- Final Thoughts
How We Calculated the Cheapest Cities
We rank cities using a standardized daily travel cost model that includes:
- Accommodation (budget hotels, hostels, shared rentals)
- Food (cheap eats + groceries)
- Local transportation
- Attractions & activities
- Typical hidden costs (taxes, fees, tips)
Excluded: airfare, visas/ESTA, insurance, and one-time purchases. This keeps comparisons clean and practical.
Cheapest Cities to Travel USA – Quick Comparison
| City | Avg Daily Cost | Stay | Food | Transport | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX | $95–$115 | $45 | $35 | $10 | $10 |
| Kansas City, MO | $90–$110 | $40 | $35 | $10 | $10 |
| Memphis, TN | $95–$120 | $45 | $40 | $10 | $10 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $85–$105 | $40 | $35 | $10 | $10 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100–$120 | $50 | $40 | $10 | $10 |
Planner takeaway: All five cities reliably undercut major metros by 30–50% per day.
City-by-City Cost Breakdowns
San Antonio, Texas
- Stay: Budget hotels and shared rentals keep nights around $40–$55.
- Food: Tex-Mex and diners allow $30–$40/day.
- Transport: Walkable core + buses ($8–$12/day).
- Activities: River Walk, missions, museums (many free/low-cost).
Daily total: $95–$115
Kansas City, Missouri
- Stay: Consistently low hotel pricing ($35–$50).
- Food: BBQ and casual dining ($30–$40).
- Transport: Compact downtown ($8–$12).
- Activities: Museums and neighborhoods with free entry days.
Daily total: $90–$110
Memphis, Tennessee
- Stay: Good-value motels and rentals ($40–$55).
- Food: Southern comfort food ($35–$45).
- Transport: Minimal transit needs ($8–$12).
- Activities: Music history, riverfront parks.
Daily total: $95–$120
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Stay: Some of the lowest rates nationally ($35–$50).
- Food: Affordable casual spots ($30–$40).
- Transport: Short distances ($8–$12).
- Activities: Low admission attractions.
Daily total: $85–$105
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Stay: Budget hotels outside core ($45–$60).
- Food: Neighborhood eateries ($35–$45).
- Transport: Excellent public transit ($8–$12).
- Activities: Museums with discounts/free days.
Daily total: $100–$120
Regional Groupings: Where Budget Travel Wins
South (Best Overall Value)
Cities like San Antonio and Memphis benefit from:
- Lower hotel taxes
- Cheaper food culture
- Fewer mandatory fees
Typical daily range: $90–$120
Midwest (Lowest Accommodation Costs)
Kansas City and Oklahoma City excel due to:
- Abundant low-cost hotels
- Minimal congestion fees
Typical daily range: $85–$110
Northeast (Selective Value)
Pittsburgh stands out despite higher regional averages:
- Strong public transit
- Reasonable hotel pricing outside downtown
Typical daily range: $100–$120
Aggressive Budget Math: How Much You Actually Save
Daily Savings vs Expensive Cities
Assume an expensive metro averages $220/day.
$220 – $100 (cheap city average) = $120/day saved
Trip-Level Savings
| Trip Length | Savings |
|---|---|
| 5 days | $600 |
| 10 days | $1,200 |
| 14 days | $1,680 |
Key insight: City choice alone can pay for flights—or extend a trip by a week.
Cheapest Cities vs Expensive Cities (Side-by-Side)
| Category | Cheap City | Expensive City |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel | $45 | $140 |
| Food | $35 | $75 |
| Transport | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $10 | $35 |
| Daily Total | $100 | $275 |
Family-Specific Cost Notes (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
Families face different cost drivers. Cheap cities help most with lodging and food.
Where Families Save
- Larger hotel rooms at lower rates
- Kid-friendly free attractions
- Affordable casual dining
Family Budget Math (Per Day)
Adults (2): $100 × 2 = $200
Kids (2): $40 × 2 = $80
--------------------------------
Family Total: ~$280/day
In expensive cities, the same family often exceeds $450/day.
Tip: Choose cities with walkable cores to avoid rental cars and parking fees.
Hidden Costs Still Present (Even in Cheap Cities)
- Sales tax (5–10%)
- Tipping (15–25%)
- Parking near attractions
- Booking/processing fees
Plan a 15–20% buffer even in budget destinations.
How to Keep Costs Low in Cheap US Cities
- Stay slightly outside downtown cores
- Use transit passes or walkable neighborhoods
- Mix groceries with local diners
- Prioritize free museums and parks
FAQ: Cheapest Cities to Travel USA
What is the cheapest city to travel in the USA?
Oklahoma City and Kansas City often rank lowest for daily costs.
How much money do I need per day in cheap US cities?
Most budget travelers succeed on $90–$120/day.
Are cheap cities safe for tourists?
Yes—choose central neighborhoods and standard precautions.
Are these cities cheap year-round?
Mostly, though festivals and summer weekends can spike rates.
Related Cost Guides
For broader planning context, see:
Final Thoughts
The cheapest cities to travel in the USA are not obscure—they are simply overlooked. By choosing the right region and applying aggressive budget math, travelers routinely save four figures on the same-length trip. For families and long stays, the payoff is even larger.
Budget travel in the USA is not about sacrificing experience—it is about choosing cities that work with your budget instead of against it.
