Survey
A comparison of Hotel Rates in 50 cities in the United States
Updated: September 30, 2021According to a survey conducted by Cheaphotels.org, Boston is the most expensive city in the U.S. based on cost of lodging. The survey compared 50 destinations based on their hotel rates during October 2021.
October was chosen as it's the month when most U.S. cities reach their highest average rates. It has to be noted further that only centrally located hotels with a 3-star rating or higher were considered for the survey.
Boston leads the rankings at an average price of $236 for the most affordable double room. Nashville and Albuquerque complete the podium with rates of $209 and $184, respectively. Las Vegas is the least expensive destination, averaging just $52 per night.
On average, hotel rates are still about 20% more affordable than they were in 2019 across the 50 destinations considered by the survey. In certain cities, they are down even more: Houston (-35%); New York City (-42%); and San Francisco (-46%). In Boston and a few other destinations—such as Sacramento and Cleveland—however, rates are more expensive now compared to pre-Covid levels.
The following table compares 50 city destinations in the United States. Prices shown reflect the average rate for each city's cheapest available double room (minimum 3-star hotel) in the city center for the period between October 1–31, 2021.
- Boston $236
- Nashville $209
- Albuquerque $184
- Sacramento $182
- Cleveland $178
- Denver $176
- Austin $174
- Cincinnati $165
- Pittsburgh $150
- Fort Worth $148
- El Paso $147
- Kansas City $145
- Charlotte $144
- Orlando $144
- Portland $135
- Washington DC $135
- Jacksonville $134
- Milwaukee $134
- Los Angeles $134
- Columbus $134
- Raleigh $132
- Seattle $132
- San Jose $130
- Phoenix $127
- Detroit $125
- Miami $125
- Indianapolis $124
- Dallas $124
- Memphis $124
- New Orleans $123
- Chicago $124
- Baltimore $120
- Tulsa $117
- Oklahoma City $115
- Mesa $114
- Philadelphia $114
- San Diego $114
- San Francisco $112
- Atlanta $112
- New York City $112
- Houston $110
- Tucson $109
- Omaha $109
- San Antonio $108
- Luisville $107
- St. Louis $104
- Honolulu $95
- Minneapolis $91
- Fresno $85
- Las Vegas $52
About the Methodology
The survey considered all 36 destinations in the USA with populations of > 500.000, as well as 14 selected destinations with a population of > 250.000. For each destination, the average price for the cheapest available double room was established for the time period 1 1-31 October 2020. Rates were compiled during late September using hotel comparison website Kayak. Only centrally located hotels (downtown or close to downtown) rated at least 3 stars were considered.Press Contact
Charlotte Smith, charlotte@cheaphotels.orgTop Destinations

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