Is the USA expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
The USA is expensive, especially in New York, San Francisco and Washington DC: a budget day is about US$155 per person and a mid-range day about US$310, before domestic flights. Hotels with taxes, restaurant meals with sales tax and an 18–22% tip, and car hire for the national parks are the main costs.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$70 | US$140 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$50 | US$90 | US$180 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$45 | US$90 |
| Local transport | US$15 | US$35 | US$90 |
| Per person, per day | US$155 | US$310 | US$660 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our the USA day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about US$4–6 |
| New York subway ride (OMNY) | about US$3 |
| Pizza slice in New York | about US$4–6 |
| Pastrami sandwich at Katz's | about US$30 |
| Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry | about US$25–26 |
| Grand Canyon entry per car (7 days) | US$35 |
| Car hire per day | about US$50–90 plus fuel |
| Midtown Manhattan hotel double | about US$220–380 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the biggest share: even hostels and budget rooms in Manhattan and Brooklyn cost about US$80–160, Midtown or Downtown DC hotels US$220–380, plus hotel taxes of roughly 15–18% in New York and resort fees of about US$35–55 a night in Las Vegas. Eating out costs more than menu prices suggest, because sales tax (about 8.9% in New York) and an 18–22% tip are added. Museums and observation decks cost US$30–50 each in New York, while Washington's Smithsonian museums are free. Distances mean domestic flights and car hire, including one-way drop fees, add significantly.
When it is cheaper
January to early March (outside holidays) is usually the cheapest time for New York and Washington hotels, sometimes 30–50% below autumn and December peaks; national park areas are cheaper outside summer.
How to spend less
- Use the free Smithsonian museums and monuments in Washington DC.
- Ride the free Staten Island Ferry for a view of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline.
- Buy same-day discount Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth.
- Compare total hotel prices including taxes and resort fees, not headline rates.
- Book Amtrak and domestic flights early, and avoid one-way car-hire drops between states where possible.
- Use subways and buses in cities instead of taxis; in New York, rides become free after 12 paid OMNY rides in a week.
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Common questions
How much does a day in the USA cost?
About US$155 per person on a budget, US$310 mid-range and US$660 in comfort, excluding domestic flights.
How much should I tip in the USA?
In restaurants, about 18–22% of the bill before tax; also tip bar staff, taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Why are hotel bills higher than the listed price?
Hotel taxes (roughly 15–18% in New York) and, in Las Vegas, resort fees of about US$35–55 a night are added.