If you’re planning a summer getaway and want to splurge on a hotel with fluffy pillows and good vibes — New York City might be calling your name. But it’ll cost you.
A new study by Boutique Hotel Hub just revealed which U.S. cities have the most expensive hotel stays this summer, and NYC officially takes the crown — with luxury price tags to match.
Let’s break down the top 10 priciest cities to book a hotel in… and the most affordable ones, too.
Top 3 most expensive hotel cities in the U.S. right now
1. New York City, New York – $396/night
The Big Apple leads the list with:
- Average hotel price: $396/night
- 5-star hotels? A jaw-dropping $726/night
- 3-star hotels: $297/night
- Average hotel rating: 8.1/10 on Booking.com
2. Honolulu, Hawaii – $359/night
A tropical paradise — if your wallet can handle it:
- 5-star hotels: $1,139/night
- 3-star stays: $273/night
- Rating: 8.08/10
3. Elizabeth, New Jersey – $352/night
Surprisingly pricey, Elizabeth averages:
- 5-star hotels: $726/night
- 3-star hotels: $252/night
- Hotel rating: 7.93/10
Here’s the full top 10 list:
| Rank | City | Average Hotel Price (3–5 stars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York City, NY | $396 |
| 2 | Honolulu, HI | $359 |
| 3 | Elizabeth, NJ | $352 |
| 4 | Yonkers, NY | $345 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $338 |
| 6 | Quincy, MA | $335 |
| 7 | Paterson, NJ | $334 |
| 8 | Lynn, MA | $331 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $319 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $317 |
East Coast cities clearly dominate the list — especially New Jersey and Massachusetts — which may surprise anyone who thought LA or Miami would be the big spenders.
And the cheapest city to book a hotel this summer?
Wichita Falls, Texas, where three to five-star hotels average just $108 per night. That’s nearly a quarter of what you’d pay in New York. Talk about budget-friendly.
Abilene, Texas, follows closely behind at $115/night, making Texas a top pick if you’re looking for an affordable summer staycation.
How this list was created
Boutique Hotel Hub, which curates luxe boutique hotels around the world, analyzed Booking.com data across U.S. cities with at least 100,000 people. They looked at hotel prices for one-night stays at 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star properties and calculated the average cost per city.
So whether you’re booking a luxe weekend in the city or looking for somewhere chill on a budget — now you know where your money’s going before you even check in.
Want more travel tips, manifestation tricks, and hotel recs? You’re in the right place. Stick around, babe. ✨
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