Summer's arrival means that concert season is in full swing but not every destination is the same when it comes to live music costs.
To determine which cities offer travelers the most bang for their buck in 2024, Upgraded Points calculated the sum of as many as eight key factors in 50 of the largest U.S. cities to find the cost of a weekend concert trip (two-night stay) for one tourist.
Factors analyzed include average concert ticket cost, flight and Airbnb expenses, meal, alcohol, T-shirt and ride-share costs.
Unsurprisingly, bigger cities are more likely to strain music fans' budgets—and not just when it comes to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The Most Expensive US Cities for a Weekend Concert Vacation
- New York, New York—$1,793
- San Francisco, California—$1,692
- Los Angeles, California—$1,516
- Boston, Massachusetts—$1,454
- Seattle, Washington—$1,407
Travelers looking to save their hard-earned cash may opt for these more budget-friendly concert cities instead.
The Most Affordable US Cities for a Weekend Concert Vacation
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky was determined to be the most wallet-friendly concert destination, with a weekend of live music coming in at roughly $1,037. The city's affordability is helped by cheaper flights—$247.34 roundtrip—respectable Airbnb rates—$260.45 for two nights—and lower food and beverage prices both in and out of concert venues.
Cleveland, Ohio
Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland is another ideal concert city for budget-conscious travelers with a total average cost of $1,073. According to Upgraded Points, a pair of 16-ounce beers will cost music lovers just $11.74 while a concert ticket itself can be had for under $158 on average.
Cincinnati, Ohio
On the other side of the Buckeye State, Cincinnati offers the study's ninth-lowest concert ticket at $132.90 and flights and two-night accommodations for under $600 combined.
Memphis, Tennessee
A city with a rich music history, Memphis won't break the bank for concert-goers. After all, the average concert ticket price is just $132.90 at FedExForum, which is the fourth lowest in the study.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Steel City's average weekend concert cost of $1,128 is one of the cheapest in the nation. Visitors to Pittsburgh can secure an Airbnb stay for about $214.53 for two nights and concert tickets for roughly $150.
Other cities where travelers can save on a memorable weekend concert experience include Baltimore; Oklahoma City; St. Louis; Louisville and Orlando where costs range from $1,129 to $1,141.11.
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