As inflation continues to push up travel costs, many Americans may be looking closer to home for summer getaways.
WalletHub released its 2026 ranking of the best and worst U.S. cities for staycations, evaluating more than 180 cities across 41 measures tied to affordability and entertainment value. The personal-finance company said nearly 72% of Americans are expected to travel this summer despite higher costs.
Orlando, Florida, ranked No. 1 overall, followed by Cincinnati; Las Vegas; St. Louis; Honolulu; Salt Lake City, Atlanta; Tampa, Florida; Chicago; and Portland, Maine.
“It’s fun to visit an exotic location on vacation, but during rougher economic times, a staycation can save you a lot of money while being just as memorable,” WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said in a release. “Not only do you avoid the cost of overnight accommodations and minimize travel costs, but you can also discover all kinds of fun activities close to home that you might not have tried out otherwise. Plus, you’ll feel more rested if you spend less time in transit and more time sleeping in your own bed.”
At the other end of the list, the lowest-ranked cities were Oakland, California; Santa Ana, California; Newark, New Jersey; Hialeah, Florida; Laredo, Texas; Irving, Texas; Chula Vista, California; Fremont, California; Yonkers, New York; and Pearl City, Hawaii.
WalletHub’s analysis considered factors ranging from parks per capita to the average cost of restaurant meals, seeking to measure how much residents can do locally without the expense of long-distance travel, airfare or hotels.
The report also showed sharp gaps between cities.
Boston had the most parks per square root of population, 14.1 times more than Hialeah, Florida, which had the fewest. Honolulu had the most tennis courts by the same measure, 18.4 times more than Mesa, Arizona. Orlando had the most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, 61.1 times more than South Burlington, Vermont.
Affordability also varied widely. Amarillo, Texas, had the lowest cost for house-cleaning services, 3.4 times less expensive than Juneau, Alaska, which had the highest.
The rankings suggest that traditional tourism hubs, cities with strong park systems and communities with a mix of dining, recreation and cultural options remain well-positioned for residents planning a break without leaving town.
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