10 Cities With The Most Expensive Accommodation & 10 With the Cheapest
Where Hotels Hurt Your Wallet Most & Least
Picking a destination is fun until you realize the hotel tab is about to take a bigger role than your actual itinerary. Some cities practically charge admission just for a decent bed in a decent location, while others let you stay somewhere comfortable and still have money left for dinner, museums, and impulse purchases. Based on a survey by cheaphotels.org, which compared the average nightly cost of the cheapest available double room in a central, 3-star-or-higher hotel, let’s see where accommodation is brutally pricey and where it’s surprisingly kind.
1. Boston — $375/night
Surprisingly, considering it's not exactly the hottest destination in the world, Boston tops the list. The survey's average for the cheapest central double room lands at $375 per night. If you’re traveling there, you’ll want to book early and stay flexible on neighborhood choices.
2. New York City — $338/night
NYC comes in right behind Boston, because of course it does. Even the “cheapest decent option in a central area” averages $338 a night in this snapshot. You might be better off venturing out to Brooklyn or Queens and taking the subway downtown each day.
3. Zurich — $274/night
Zurich is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, and its hotel fares agree. At $274 per night on average for the cheapest central double, it’s a reminder that Switzerland isn’t really a “budget surprise” destination. You can still do it smartly, but you’ll want a plan.
4. Milan — $268/night
Milan’s fashion reputation shows up in the lodging numbers, too. The survey puts its average at $268 per night for the cheapest central double room. Whether you’re going for shopping or on business, the demand tends to keep prices firm.
5. Paris — $257/night
Paris is wonderful, and Paris is expensive, and both things can be true at once. The average cheapest central double room hits $257 per night in the survey’s October window. If you want to save, you’ll likely be trading distance for dollars.
6. Detroit — $240/night
Detroit is the plot twist on this list because people don’t see it as a swanky city. Still, the survey places it at $240 per night on average for a centrally located, cheapest double room. Timing and events matter a lot here, especially in a peak-priced month.
7. Washington, D.C. — $227/night
D.C. lands at $227 per night, which feels very on-brand for a city that always has something going on. Central hotels get pulled by government travel, tourism, and packed calendars. You can still find deals, but they’re not guaranteed to be convenient.
8. Rome — $224/night
Rome at $224 per night is basically the price of eternal popularity. The city’s demand is steady, and central locations don’t come cheap when everyone wants to walk everywhere. You’ll save the most by being strategic about what “central” means for your itinerary.
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9. Vienna — $205/night
Vienna shows up with a $205 nightly average for the cheapest central double room. It’s a polished, high-demand city, so the numbers make sense once you look at popularity. If you can shift dates even slightly, it often pays off.
10. Amsterdam — $204/night
Amsterdam rounds out the pricey ten at $204 per night, and it rarely feels like a fluke. Between constant tourism and limited central inventory, “cheap” is relative here. Booking earlier tends to do more than bargain-hunting at the last second.
Now that we've talked about the cities that'll burn a hole in your wallet through accommodation alone, let's cover the ones where you can do well with little.
1. Lima — $64/night
Lima’s average is $64 a night for the cheapest central double room in the survey. You can often put the savings toward experiences, which is the fun part of this whole exercise.
2. Istanbul — $62/night
Istanbul lands at $62 per night and offers a lot of city for the money. Even within central areas, the lodging market can be surprisingly friendly compared to Western Europe.
3. Kuala Lumpur — $62/night
Kuala Lumpur matches Istanbul at $62 per night in the survey’s snapshot. The value factor is one reason travelers often feel like their daily budget stretches farther here.
4. Bogotá — $61/night
Bogotá comes in at $61 per night, which can feel almost suspiciously reasonable. This is where you can prioritize comfort upgrades without instantly doubling your spend. It’s also a city where location choice matters a lot for vibe and logistics.
5. Buenos Aires — $54/night
At $54 per night, Buenos Aires looks like a gift compared to the top of this list. You can often stay somewhere solid and still have room in the budget for dining and cultural stops. If you like big-city energy without big-city hotel pain, it’s a strong contender.
6. Doha — $47/night
Doha at $47 per night is a reminder that prices can surprise you in either direction. In this particular survey window, the cheapest central double rooms average well under $50.
7. Manila — $44/night
Manila shows up at $44 per night, which makes your sunny escape sound a lot more doable. It’s a city where you can often choose convenience and high-end experiences without paying luxury pricing.
8. Bangkok — $39/night
Bangkok’s $39 per night average makes it one of the biggest bargains on the list. It’s also the kind of place where you can upgrade your hotel and still feel like you’re spending responsibly. You’ll want to read reviews carefully, but the value options are real.
9. Hanoi — $34/night
Hanoi comes in at $34 per night, and at that level, you can be picky about details that matter to you. Location, noise, breakfast, and room size become choices instead of sacrifices. For many travelers, it’s the sweet spot of affordability and comfort.
10. Phnom Penh — $31/night
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is the cheapest city in the survey, at $31 per night on average for the cheapest central double room. That’s the kind of number that makes you consider adding an extra day “just because.” If you’re trying to stretch a travel budget without feeling deprived, this is the dream outcome.
