71 Cheapest Places to Visit in the USA
From Southern Charm to Desert Landscapes: The 2026 Edition
Explore the MapTraveling within the United States often gets a bad rap for being expensive. And while New York City and San Francisco can drain your wallet in a weekend, there are vast stretches of this country that remain incredibly affordable.
We’ve expanded our guide to include **71 destinations** for 2026. From the music-filled streets of the South to the stunning red rocks of the Southwest, you can experience world-class culture and scenery for a fraction of the cost of the big coastal cities.
The South: Culture & Coastlines
San Antonio, TX
Famous for the Alamo and River Walk. Tex-Mex is cheap and delicious.
Memphis, TN
Home of Blues and BBQ. Beale Street offers free music daily.
New Orleans, LA
Visit mid-week for deals. Street performances are world-class and free.
Savannah, GA
Dripping in Spanish moss. Walking the historic squares costs nothing.
Great Smoky Mtns
America’s most visited park is entry-free! Cheap cabins nearby.
St. Augustine, FL
Oldest US city. Walkable history and free beach access.
More Southern Gems:
The West: Deserts & Mountains
Albuquerque, NM
Authentic Southwest culture without Santa Fe prices.
Salt Lake City, UT
Gateway to “Mighty 5” parks. Affordable city amenities.
Phoenix, AZ
Incredible resort deals in shoulder season. Hiking is free.
Las Vegas, NV
Skip the gambling and luxury dining for impossibly low hotel rates.
Glacier NP, MT
World-class camping. Amtrak runs directly to the park.
Tucson, AZ
UNESCO City of Gastronomy with affordable Mexican food.
More Western Gems:
The Midwest: Heartland Value
Kansas City, MO
City of Fountains. Jazz heritage and legendary cheap BBQ.
St. Louis, MO
Many top attractions (Zoo, Science Center) are completely free.
Indianapolis, IN
Walkable downtown with affordable museums and sports.
More Heartland Gems:
The Northeast: History & Nature
Philadelphia, PA
Cheaper than NYC/DC. Independence Hall is history for free.
Washington, D.C.
Hotels can be pricey, but nearly all Smithsonian museums are free.
More Northeast Gems:
Looking for More Travel Deals?
Expand your search beyond the US borders. Check out our global guides for more budget inspiration.
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Get Your Packing List📊 All 71 USA Budget Destinations
| # | Destination | State | Avg Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | TX | $100-130 |
| 2 | Memphis | TN | $110-140 |
| 3 | New Orleans | LA | $120-160 |
| 4 | Savannah | GA | $130-160 |
| 5 | Great Smoky Mtns | TN/NC | $80-110 |
| 6 | St. Augustine | FL | $120-150 |
| 7 | Gulf Shores | AL | $110-140 |
| 8 | Biloxi | MS | $90-120 |
| 9 | Myrtle Beach | SC | $100-130 |
| 10 | Daytona Beach | FL | $110-140 |
| 11 | Little Rock | AR | $90-120 |
| 12 | Hot Springs NP | AR | $90-120 |
| 13 | Chattanooga | TN | $100-130 |
| 14 | Asheville | NC | $120-150 |
| 15 | Louisville | KY | $110-140 |
| 16 | El Paso | TX | $80-110 |
| 17 | South Padre Island | TX | $100-130 |
| 18 | Corpus Christi | TX | $100-130 |
| 19 | Tulsa | OK | $90-120 |
| 20 | Oklahoma City | OK | $90-120 |
| 21 | Albuquerque | NM | $90-120 |
| 22 | Salt Lake City | UT | $110-140 |
| 23 | Phoenix | AZ | $100-140 |
| 24 | Las Vegas | NV | $90-150 |
| 25 | Glacier NP | MT | $80-120 |
| 26 | Tucson | AZ | $90-120 |
| 27 | Moab | UT | $120-160 |
| 28 | St. George | UT | $100-130 |
| 29 | Flagstaff | AZ | $110-140 |
| 30 | Santa Fe | NM | $130-170 |
| 31 | Colorado Springs | CO | $110-140 |
| 32 | Denver | CO | $130-170 |
| 33 | Boise | ID | $100-130 |
| 34 | Spokane | WA | $100-130 |
| 35 | Olympic NP | WA | $90-130 |
| 36 | Oregon Coast | OR | $100-140 |
| 37 | Reno | NV | $90-120 |
| 38 | Big Bend NP | TX | $80-110 |
| 39 | Joshua Tree | CA | $100-140 |
| 40 | Death Valley | CA | $100-140 |
| 41 | Kansas City | MO | $100-130 |
| 42 | St. Louis | MO | $100-130 |
| 43 | Indianapolis | IN | $100-130 |
| 44 | Cincinnati | OH | $100-130 |
| 45 | Cleveland | OH | $90-120 |
| 46 | Detroit | MI | $100-130 |
| 47 | Milwaukee | WI | $110-140 |
| 48 | Minneapolis | MN | $110-140 |
| 49 | Badlands NP | SD | $80-110 |
| 50 | Black Hills | SD | $90-120 |
| 51 | Ozarks | MO/AR | $80-110 |
| 52 | Branson | MO | $100-130 |
| 53 | Omaha | NE | $90-120 |
| 54 | Des Moines | IA | $90-120 |
| 55 | Wichita | KS | $80-110 |
| 56 | Mackinac Island | MI | $140-180 |
| 57 | Hocking Hills | OH | $90-120 |
| 58 | Philadelphia | PA | $130-170 |
| 59 | Washington D.C. | DC | $140-190 |
| 60 | Baltimore | MD | $110-140 |
| 61 | Pittsburgh | PA | $100-130 |
| 62 | Virginia Beach | VA | $110-150 |
| 63 | Outer Banks | NC | $120-160 |
| 64 | Ocean City | MD | $110-150 |
| 65 | Finger Lakes | NY | $120-160 |
| 66 | Adirondacks | NY | $110-150 |
| 67 | Poconos | PA | $100-140 |
| 68 | Portland | ME | $130-170 |
| 69 | Burlington | VT | $120-160 |
| 70 | Harpers Ferry | WV | $90-120 |
| 71 | Shenandoah NP | VA | $80-120 |
