Travelers have plenty of accommodation choices when they travel this summer thanks to the emergence of home-sharing platforms like Airbnb, making it easier to save on their stay.
Upgraded Points recently analyzed average nightly rates for hotels and Airbnbs in 100 of the largest cities across the U.S. to reveal which places it pays to book a hotel stay over an Airbnb (entire home) or vice versa.
"Hotels have long been the go-to choice for travelers seeking comfort and convenience, but Airbnb has grown in popularity as an alternative, offering unique stays and a taste of local life," Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, said in a statement. "When choosing between comfort and uniqueness, cost plays a huge role, and we wanted to find just where you could find the best accommodation deals."
Airbnb was determined to be the most cost-effective accommodation option in 71 out of 100 cities examined, with an average nightly rate of $156 compared to $208 for hotels. In some cities in the Midwest, the difference was roughly $200 per night.
However, the difference was minimal in other cities like San Jose, California and McAllen, Texas, where nightly rates were separated by just $1.50.
Top US Cities Where Hotels Cost More Than Airbnbs
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Hotel Average: $350.50 vs Airbnb Average: $138.31
- Chicago, Illinois — Hotel Average: $363.95 vs Airbnb Average: $165.56
- Omaha, Nebraska — Hotel Average: $343.30 vs Airbnb Average: $145.06
- Cleveland, Ohio — Hotel Average: $322.29 vs Airbnb Average: $125.09
- Charleston, South Carolina — Hotel Average: $395.38 vs Airbnb Average: $209.72
Waldorf Astoria Chicago courtyard. (Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria Chicago)
Boston; New Haven, Connecticut; Detroit; Providence, Rhode Island and Seattle also made the top 10 cities where hotels are more expensive than Airbnbs.
Top US Cities Where Airbnbs Cost More Than Hotels
- Madison, Wisconsin — Airbnb Average: $223.49 vs Hotel Average: $167.18
- Tucson, Arizona — Airbnb Average: $142.07 vs Hotel Average: $99.40
- Bakersfield, California — Airbnb Average: $163.89 vs Hotel Average: $123.48
- Jackson, Mississippi — Airbnb Average: $150.68 vs Hotel Average: $113.20
- Scranton, Pennsylvania — Airbnb Average: $185 vs Hotel Average: $150
Other top cities where hotels are cheaper than Airbnbs on average include Fort Myers, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Grand Rapids, Michigan and Stockton, California.
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