The Best US Cities for a Staycation in 2020

New research shows that many Americans will be seeking out vacation destinations closer to home in the months to come due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WalletHub recently compared more than 180 U.S. cities across more than a dozen key indicators of a memorable yet budget-friendly staycation, including parks per capita, average home square footage and idealness of summer weather, among others. Here are the 20 places that fared the best.

Ranking second of 182 cities in the category of recreation, Salt Lake City offers a plethora of parks, trails and other opportunities to participate in low-risk outdoor activities as spring transitions to summer.

Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Garland is one of four Texas cities in the top 20, ranking 22nd for rest and relaxation, a category that looks at the average price of pizza, burgers, beer and wine, in addition to other factors.

This Kansas City suburb ranks fourth in the nation for highest average home square footage, lifting it into the top 20. It's also worth noting that Overland Park was named Livability's best place to raise a family in 2019.

Much like Texas, Florida is well-represented in WalletHub's top 20 with five cities. St. Petersburg's strong placement is at least partly the result of its stellar summer weather. After all, its nickname is The Sunshine City.

The Phoenix suburb of Peoria ranks an impressive 15th for rest and relaxation but also offers residents plenty of recreation, including parks, trails and the scenic Lake Pleasant.

Springfield in southwestern Missouri is one of the nation's top cities for recreation, which makes it one of the best for a budget-friendly staycation in the Midwest.

Fort Lauderdale is tied for the most bike rental facilities per capita and ranks third nationwide in terms of the highest share of homes with a swimming pool. Plus, the local beaches are some of the best in the country.

Huntsville features the second-highest average home square footage of any city in the country, giving its residents a leg-up when it comes to enjoying a summer staycation in their house turned hotel.

Located about 20 miles west of Boise, Nampa has an estimated population of close to 100,000. While it doesn't stand out in any one particular indicator that WalletHub analyzed, it ranks 26th out of 182 cities in terms of rest and relaxation.

Tallahassee is tied for the most walking trails per capita-matching major cities like San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Seattle-meaning residents will have ample opportunity to get outside and stretch their legs this summer.

While the Theme Park Capital of the World has been hampered by COVID-19, locals still have plenty of ways to entertain themselves without breaking the bank this summer as Orlando cracks WalletHub's top 10 best cities for a staycation in 2020.

The Texas capital is certainly known for its outdoor adventures and WalletHub found that it's tied for the most running trails per capita nationwide, ranking right alongside Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grand Prairie is home to a whopping 5,000 acres of parks. There are nearly 60 of them in all, including a dog park. Locals can also take advantage of the relaxing beaches on Joe Pool Lake.

If rest and relaxation is your idea of a great staycation, Scottsdale is the place. The city has the third-highest average home square footage and the second-highest share of homes with a swimming pool.

One of only seven cities to earn a total score of 60 or better, Fort Smith boasts the lowest average price of pizza at $8.00. For perspective, that's nearly two times cheaper than in Stockton, California ($15.25). Fort Smith also has the lowest average price of a burger and the fourth-lowest average beer and wine price.

A surprise entry in the top five, Lincoln ranks best in the nation in terms of recreation but just 72nd for rest and relaxation, meaning it caters more to those seeking an active staycation.

Charming Charleston offers residents of South Carolina Lowcountry plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, including scenic parks and sites along the gorgeous waterfront.

Elsewhere in the Southeast, Tampa is the country's third-best destination for a staycation in 2020 thanks to its consistency across both categories, ranking 11th for recreation and 23rd for rest and relaxation.

Undoubtedly one of the best cities for outdoor enthusiasts, Boise ranks sixth out of 182 cities for recreation, which takes into account factors such as parks and hiking trails per capita, walk score and strictness of stay at home orders, among others.

Located just north of Dallas and northwest of 19th-ranked Garland, Plano ranks best in the nation for a wallet-friendly staycation this year. The North Texas city has the highest average home square footage of any city WalletHub analyzed, propelling it to number two in the all-important rest and relaxation category.