This study reveals which is the best choice in US cities.
Accommodations typically account for most of your vacation budget. Many travelers play the “Hotel v. Airbnb” game to find the cheapest option, even though the two choices are about as different as cats and dogs when it comes to amenities and convenience. If finding the best deal is your deciding factor, this analysis may be for you.
A travel blogger used data from Kayak.com to compare the average nightly costs of Airbnb stays and hotels in 100 major US cities. The analysis compared the cost of renting an entire Airbnb property versus a hotel room for two adults, excluding any nightly rates over $1,000.
The result? Airbnbs were more cost-effective in 71 out of 100 cities analyzed. And the average nightly price for Airbnb was $156, compared to $208 for hotels.
Results did differ among cities:
- In some cities, Airbnbs were significantly cheaper: In Milwaukee, the average nightly cost difference is $212, making Airbnbs much cheaper. In Chicago, there’s a $198 difference in favor of Airbnbs.
- In other cities, Airbnb and hotels were close in cost: In San Jose, California, and McAllen, Texas, for example, the difference between staying at an Airbnb and a hotel is only about $1.50.
- And in other cities, you’d pay more for an Airbnb than a hotel: In Madison, there’s a $56 difference in favor of hotels. In Colorado Springs, the hotel is $32 cheaper.
Check out the rest of the study to find out in which cities Airbnb is better for cost savings versus hotels. But remember, the cost of giving your wallet a bit of a break may come with a long list of cleaning instructions!
Twist’s Take: If cost is a determinative factor in your choice between Airbnb and a hotel, check out this study.
