Is the United States of America expensive to visit?
The United States of America is a moderately priced travel destination. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a very expensive country to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of countries in North America for its travel prices, and is comparable to places like Canada.
Because the United States of America is such a touristy destination, there are a number of terrific places within the country that attract visitors. Some of the most expensive places to visit in the United States of America include Nantucket, Moab, and Key West. For more affordability, you can visit places like Pasadena, Death Valley National Park, and Rapid City.
Average daily price of selected cities in the United States of America, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Key West | $832 |
| Moab | $416 |
| Nantucket | $409 |
| Beaver Creek | $378 |
| West Palm Beach | $378 |
| Oahu | $371 |
| Las Vegas | $369 |
| Washington | $226 |
| South Lake Tahoe | $146 |
| Shenandoah National Park | $145 |
| Williamsburg | $135 |
| Redwood National Park | $135 |
| Rapid City | $133 |
| Death Valley National Park | $101 |
| Pasadena | $76 |
Yellowstone National Park
How expensive is the United States of America?
On average, visitors spend about $324 per day during their visit to the United States of America (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for the United States of America here.
How expensive is a one week trip to the United States of America?
On average, a one week trip to the United States of America costs about $2,269 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $4,537.
How expensive is a two week trip to the United States of America?
A two week trip to the United States of America costs about $4,537 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $9,075.
How expensive is a month long trip to the United States of America?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to the United States of America costs around $9,723 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $19,446.
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Is it expensive to backpack in the United States of America?
the United States of America is a popular backpacker destination with more than 200 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $37 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in the United States of America here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Los Angeles, Miami Beach, and San Francisco. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Boston, New York City, and Chicago, which average $50, $49, and $43 a night. The cheapest hostels are in San Francisco, Miami Beach, and New Orleans which average $31, $22, and $17 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in the United States of America.
- $36 for a dorm bed at HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica in Los Angeles
- $19 for a dorm bed at Freehand Miami in Miami
- $35 for a dorm bed at HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel in San Francisco
Where to find affordable hostels in the United States of America
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 29 | $38 |
| Miami Beach | 16 | $22 |
| San Francisco | 13 | $31 |
| San Diego | 13 | $32 |
| New York City | 12 | $49 |
| Washington | 9 | $32 |
| Chicago | 8 | $43 |
| New Orleans | 7 | $17 |
| Boston | 5 | $50 |
| Honolulu | 5 | $38 |
Are hotels expensive in the United States of America?
From our analysis of hotel prices in the United States of America, we can see that they are moderate in cost and have somewhat average prices compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $171 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Big Sur commanding a higher average of $927 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Las Vegas, Houston, and Roswell, New Mexico, where hotel prices average around $96, $86, and $85 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in the United States of America
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Big Sur | $927 |
| Beaver Creek | $922 |
| Vail | $887 |
| Breckenridge | $811 |
| Yosemite National Park | $706 |
| Washington | $185 |
| Valdosta | $105 |
| Tallahassee | $104 |
| Las Vegas | $96 |
| Houston | $86 |
| Roswell, New Mexico | $85 |
Chicago’s Elevated Train
How expensive are sightseeing activities in the United States of America?
Activities and things to do in the United States of America can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $55 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Chincoteague's Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat: $65
- Avi's Premium Dolphin Tour by Jet Ski: $275
- Austin Good Vibes E-Bike Tours: $68
- Guided Hobie Kayak Adventure: Enhanced Island Eco Experience!: $70
- Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona: $145
- Laguna Beach Open Ocean Kayaking Tour with Sea Lion Sightings: $95
- JEEP TOUR - Pikes Peak or Bust: $160
- Complete Island Tour & Sunrise Photo Experience : $170
Is food expensive in the United States of America?
Food in the United States of America can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $96 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $128
- Premium Valle de Guadalupe Wine and Food Tour : $259
- Greenwich Village Food Tour | Tasty Tours NYC: $79
- Ultimate Chinatown Walking Food Tour in New York City: $109
- Santa Monica: Taco Food Tour: $139
- Half-Day Classic Food Tour in Ann Arbor with Lunch: $60
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Is transportation expensive in the United States of America?
Local transportation in the United States of America can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $46 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in the United States of America can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $191 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for the United States of America
If you're planning a trip to the United States of America, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.