To determine the top destinations for staying close to home, WalletHub evaluated more than 180 cities across 41 key factors that measure both affordability and entertainment value. The study considered metrics ranging from the number of parks per capita to the average cost of restaurant meals.
| Best Cities for Staycations | Worst Cities for Staycations |
| 1. Orlando, FL | 173. Oakland, CA |
| 2. Cincinnati, OH | 174. Santa Ana, CA |
| 3. Las Vegas, NV | 175. Newark, NJ |
| 4. St. Louis, MO | 176. Hialeah, FL |
| 5. Honolulu, HI | 177. Laredo, TX |
| 6. Salt Lake City, UT | 178. Irving, TX |
| 7. Atlanta, GA | 179. Chula Vista, CA |
| 8. Tampa, FL | 180. Fremont, CA |
| 9. Chicago, IL | 181. Yonkers, NY |
| 10. Portland, ME | 182. Pearl City, HI |
Best vs. Worst
- Boston has the most parks (per square root of population), which is 14.1 times more than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the fewest.
- Honolulu has the most tennis courts (per square root of population), which is 18.4 times more than in Mesa, Arizona, the city with the fewest.
- Orlando has the most ice cream & frozen yogurt shops (per square root of population), which is 61.1 times more than in South Burlington, Vermont, the city with the fewest.
- Amarillo, Texas, has the lowest cost of house-cleaning services, which is 3.4 times less expensive than in Juneau, Alaska, the city with the highest.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“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. 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.”
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“Orlando is the best city for staycations, due to the fact that there are so many different things to do in the city. The city boasts an exceptionally high number of amusement parks, water parks, nightlife activities, festivals, zoos and arcades per capita, making it easy to plan a full week of unique and enjoyable outings every day. The abundance of ice cream shops around the city also provides the perfect way to stay cool during warm summer days.”
- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
What are the best ways to enjoy a staycation?
“Transforming your living space into a personal retreat is an incredible way to replicate the feeling of a relaxing getaway. Small upgrades like fresh linens, soothing background music, and ambient lighting go a long way in setting a peaceful tone. Simple luxuries like a homemade fruit platter or an uninterrupted self-care routine evoke a true spa like atmosphere without the heavy expense of a resort. You can also explore global cuisines right in your own kitchen by preparing meals inspired by international destinations. Choose a country, research traditional dishes, and cook a themed dinner to bring the flavors of the world straight to you. Strikingly, national culinary data shows that over seventy percent of consumers consider dining out their absolute favorite leisure activity, which means masterfully crafting a gourmet, globally inspired experience at home satisfies that exact vacation craving for a fraction of the price, proving the sentiment that you don't need a boarding pass to experience the world when you can taste it right from your own kitchen.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
What activities can families do locally without breaking the bank?
“Public parks greenways and nature preserves provide completely free access to outdoor fun for families looking to explore locally. These low-cost outings encourage exercise and bonding time in a natural setting… Visit free community attractions like public libraries, museums, and cultural centers that host free events or offer complimentary admission days. Take part in local scavenger hunts, storytimes, and educational exhibits without spending a single dime. Host a backyard campout by pitching a tent, grilling dinner outdoors, and stargazing right outside your back door. Create a DIY family game day or field day with relay races and obstacle courses using items you already have at home. Fun macro trends reveal that ninety percent of museums across the United States provide substantial family discounts and at least sixty percent offer completely free admission days at least once a month, making local cultural exploration an absolute goldmine for budget conscious parents.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
What is the best time of year to have a staycation?
“Summer stands out as the absolute best time of year for a staycation because it aligns perfectly with school breaks and flexible work schedules. This makes it much easier to coordinate quality family time without interrupting daily academic commitments. Warmer months also bring a massive surge of free or low-cost community programming ranging from outdoor concerts and street fairs to library events and movie nights. Furthermore, longer daylight hours during the summer months allow for maximum flexibility in scheduling daily activities. Planning a break during this peak window is the ultimate logistical cheat code, allowing you to bypass the massive summer airline and hotel price surges that typically see popular tourist hubs spike costs by thirty percent or more, meaning that longer summer days mean you can hit the pause button on real life and enjoy a full vacation experience without ever leaving your zip code.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
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