# USA

> 20 cities in USA (North America) with cost-of-living, internet and suitability scores for budget travelers and digital nomads. Costs in USD/day; scores and safety on a 0-10 scale.

## Is USA Expensive?

Yes, the USA is expensive. Daily costs reflect high service wages, the vast distances that force internal flights, and a tourism economy built around convenience. The country's car-centric infrastructure means rental car and gas expenses often catch visitors off guard. Add to that the prevalence of tipping, which effectively raises restaurant and bar bills by 15-20% if you follow local norms.

The site's own averages are $64 a day for backpackers, $111 for digital nomads, and $345 for luxury travellers. These figures cover accommodation, food, local transport, and attractions, but not international airfare. Even a disciplined budget traveller will likely spend $60-90 a day unless they camp or cook every meal. The numbers hold true across the 20 tracked destinations, from Las Vegas to Chicago. The high end reflects hotel rates in cities like New York and San Francisco, where even a standard room can cost $250 or more a night. In short, the USA is a pay-to-play destination: you get convenience and variety, but the price tag is unapologetically steep.

## How Much Does It Cost to Travel in USA?

Inside the USA, prices swing dramatically by city. Las Vegas is the cheapest destination the site tracks at $45 a day backpacking, a bargain driven by enormous hotel supply and aggressive competition for weekday bookings. At the other end, Chicago tops the list at $85 a day backpacking, because it is a business hub with limited budget accommodation and pricey downtown dining. The remaining 18 destinations fall somewhere in between, so your daily cost depends heavily on where you point your rental car.

For a budget traveller, that means a daily range of $45 to $85. A mid-range plan, with private rooms and sit-down meals, typically runs $100 to $200 a day. Anyone paying for comfort should expect $250 to $345 or more daily. The site's luxury average of $345 reflects the top end of that spectrum. Remote workers should note Austin's 7/10 rating; its costs sit near the national average, not at the extremes. Seasonal spikes can push even Las Vegas above its base: conventions in January and March send hotel prices climbing, while Chicago peaks in the summer convention season.

## Best Time to Visit USA

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the value window. Temperatures are mild in most of the country, and hotel prices drop after the summer peak. Plan around September and October in particular: the summer crowds thin out, and rates at places like Las Vegas and Chicago become more negotiable. This is also the best time for national parks, before snow closes high passes in the Rockies and before the desert heat settles in.

Summer (June-August) is the most expensive season, driven by school holidays. Expect coastal cities and theme-park hubs like Orlando to be packed, with accommodation prices 20-30% higher than spring or autumn. Late December to New Year's is another peak, especially in New York and Las Vegas, where hotel rooms can double. Also watch for spring break in March, which sends prices up in Miami and Orlando. Winter (November-February) is cheaper except at ski resorts like Denver or Salt Lake City; Phoenix and Las Vegas are cool but pleasant. If you want to avoid both price spikes and extreme weather, target May or September.

## Getting Around USA

Domestic flights are the backbone of US travel. A non-stop from New York to Los Angeles takes about 5.5 hours and costs $100-200 one-way if booked two weeks ahead. The Amtrak rail network is limited: New York to Chicago takes 20 hours and costs around $150 for a seat, but service is sparse elsewhere. Long-distance buses like Greyhound and FlixBus connect most cities cheaply, but trips are long and not always comfortable.

Rental cars are useful for regional hops, especially in the West and South. Expect to pay $40-60 a day for a compact car, plus gas at roughly $3.50 a gallon and parking fees that can reach $50 a night in cities like New York or San Francisco. Overland travel is not practical for reaching Hawaii; you'll need a flight from the West Coast, costing $300-500 round-trip. For the 20 destinations on this site, the most efficient route is usually a mix of budget flights and public transit within cities. In Hawaii, island-hopping by plane is the only quick option, with flights between islands costing $80-150 each way.

## Visas, Money and Entry Rules for USA

Most visitors from the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, and other Visa Waiver Program countries need to apply for an ESTA online before flying. The approval costs about $21 and allows stays up to 90 days. Ensure your passport has at least six months' validity beyond your intended departure. Citizens of other countries must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at a US embassy, a process that can take weeks and requires an interview.

Cards dominate: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, and many shops and restaurants are cashless. Notify your bank of your travel dates and watch out for dynamic currency conversion, which offers poor exchange rates. Use a credit card without foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges. Tipping is expected: 15-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and $2-5 per night for housekeeping. ATMs charge $3-5 per withdrawal, and airport exchange kiosks typically give the worst rates. If you're carrying cash, do so in small denominations for tips and small purchases.

## Cities

| City | Backpacker | Nomad | Luxury | Nomad score | Safety | Pages |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Atlanta | $55 | $130 | $320 | 6.5 | 6 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/atlanta) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/atlanta.md) |
| Austin | $55 | $90 | $250 | 7 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/austin) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/austin.md) |
| Boston | $55 | $130 | $400 | 5 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/boston) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/boston.md) |
| Chicago | $85 | $90 | $500 | 6.4 | 6 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/chicago) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/chicago.md) |
| Denver | $65 | $120 | $350 | 6.3 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/denver) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/denver.md) |
| Honolulu | $75 | $140 | $350 | 5.6 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/honolulu) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/honolulu.md) |
| Las Vegas | $45 | $120 | $380 | 5.8 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/las-vegas) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/las-vegas.md) |
| Los Angeles | $65 | $80 | $350 | 6.5 | 6 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/los-angeles) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/los-angeles.md) |
| Miami | $70 | $115 | $320 | 6.2 | 6 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/miami) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/miami.md) |
| Nashville | $65 | $95 | $400 | 7 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/nashville) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/nashville.md) |
| New Orleans | $55 | $75 | $320 | 6.5 | 6 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/new-orleans) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/new-orleans.md) |
| New York City | $55 | $120 | $300 | 6.9 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/new-york-city) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/new-york-city.md) |
| Orlando | $60 | $100 | $300 | 5.5 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/orlando) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/orlando.md) |
| Philadelphia | $55 | $110 | $350 | 5.7 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/philadelphia) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/philadelphia.md) |
| Phoenix | $65 | $85 | $300 | 6.5 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/phoenix) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/phoenix.md) |
| Portland | $65 | $85 | $250 | 6.5 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/portland) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/portland.md) |
| San Diego | $70 | $130 | $350 | 6.5 | 9 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/san-diego) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/san-diego.md) |
| San Francisco | $75 | $165 | $400 | 6 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/san-francisco) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/san-francisco.md) |
| Seattle | $75 | $130 | $350 | 6 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/seattle) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/seattle.md) |
| Washington DC | $70 | $100 | $350 | 6.4 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/washington-dc) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa/washington-dc.md) |

## Links

- [USA page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/usa)
- [All destinations](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/destinations)