12 North American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012

16 Jan, 2012  |   Comments (0)  |   Add a comment

All-new for 2012 we present the North America Backpacker Index for 2012, including the most popular cultural tourist cities in the United States and Canada. Since both countries are very similar and prices don’t range too much in general, it’s not surprising that most cities on the list below are fairly bunched together in the end.

This year we included Mexico City on the South and Central America Index for 2012, and we put Cancun on the cheapest Caribbean destinations list because they fit those categories better.

How the Backpacker Index works

Prices for most things are fixed and certain, but prices for a “budget lunch” or a pint of beer can vary depending on whom you ask. Still, our estimates are based on a lot of research, and should be very close if not right on.

Costs for each city

• One night in the cheapest bunk at the least expensive hostel with a good location and good reviews
• Two public transportation rides per day
• One paid/famous attraction per day (Every city is loaded with free things to do for budget-conscious travelers, but here we take the average cost of a major attraction in each city for each day.)
• Three “budget” meals per day.
• Three cheap, local beers each day as an “entertainment fund.” Non-drinkers might have dessert and coffee or attend a local music performance instead, so this is a general benchmark that should be proportional for each city.

North America Backpacker Index for 2012

1 – Las Vegas, USA

Those who can avoid gambling, or at least those who can avoid losing money, can actually stretch their money in amazing ways in Las Vegas, with actual hotel rooms sometimes as low as US$10/night. It’s all about where you stay in this town, and those staying in the Downtown area or northern part of the Strip will have many good budget options for food, drinks, and entertainment at low prices. In fact, there is limitless free entertainment available (as long as you don’t gamble or lose gambling) so we count “Attractions” as free here.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Sin City Hostel – 12.50/night
• Transportation: 3.50
• Meals: 26.40
• Drinks/Entertainment: 6.00
• Attractions: 0.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$48.40/day

>>>Las Vegas prices and weather

2 – New Orleans, USA

A genuine travel bargain once you arrive, New Orleans has affordable accommodation plus fantastic food and drinks that are cheaper than most other large cities, even at some of the fancier places. The Bourbon Street area is really a bargain for nightlife and such, but there are good deals almost everywhere in the Big Easy.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: India House Backpackers Hostel – 20/night
• Transportation: 2.50
• Meals: 20.40
• Drinks/Entertainment: 6.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$58.90/day

>>>New Orleans prices and weather

3 – Montreal, Canada

For Americans, Canada had always been a bargain, until recently when the currencies became more or less equal. Still, Montreal is a wonderful city that has plenty to see and enough budget options for most backpackers, so even at this exchange rate it’s worth a visit. Some cheap hostels make it especially affordable for the backpacking set, though most things have similar prices as other large Canadian cities.

• Currency: Canadian dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Alexandrie-Montreal Youth Hostel – 15.96/night
• Transportation: 6.00
• Meals: 22.80
• Drinks/Entertainment: 9.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: CAD63.76 – US$62.51/day

>>>Montreal prices and weather

4 – San Francisco, USA

It’s a bit surprising to see San Francisco so high on this list, but the city has quite a few good hostels that are reasonably priced outside of the busy summer season, which keeps overall costs down. There are also plenty of great free attractions, so the city can be quite reasonable with the right strategy. Hotels can be very expensive here so for non-backpackers San Francisco is one of the priciest cities in America.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: San Francisco International Hostel – 19/night
• Transportation: 4.00
• Meals: 20.40
• Drinks/Entertainment: 12.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$65.40/day

>>>San Francisco prices and weather

5 – Vancouver, Canada

Another Canadian city that is still plenty worth a visit even though it’s not as cheap as it used to be, Vancouver is just about as pleasant as a city can get as long as you avoid the gloomy winter months, and even then it’s still pretty nice. Cheap hostels make it a good bargain for those who don’t mind dorm beds, while hotels aren’t quite so cheap.

• Currency: Canadian dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Vancouver Backpacker Guesthouse – 19.45/night
• Transportation: 5.00
• Meals: 19.20
• Drinks/Entertainment: 10.50
• Attractions: 15.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: CAD69.15 – US$67.79/day

>>>Vancouver prices and weather

6 – Washington DC, USA

Many things in Washington DC are quite expensive, but fortunately there are many decent hostels competing and keeping prices down. Even better, nearly all of the museums in the city are free, so this is the only city other than London and Las Vegas that we assigned a zero price for Attractions, giving visitors a bit more to spend on food and drinks. Except for hostels and museums this is an expensive city, so plan well.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Duo Housing Washington DC – 17/night
• Transportation: 3.70
• Meals: 27.60
• Drinks/Entertainment: 12.00
• Attractions: 0.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$67.80/day

>>>Washington DC prices and weather

7 – Los Angeles, USA

Due to its ridiculously spread-out nature, transportation can be a problem in Los Angeles if you are intent on seeing many different things, but at least finding budget meals and drinks is rarely difficult. Those who mainly want to see the beach and other outdoor sights can really save money, but the big theme parks all cost a fortune. Some new hostels have opened in non-convenient neighborhoods so it’s best to stick to a place at least close to something you want to do or see.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Banana Bungalow Hollywood – 25.56/night
• Transportation: 3.00
• Meals: 18.00
• Drinks/Entertainment: 12.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$68.56/day

>>>Los Angeles prices and weather

8 – Honolulu, USA

Unlike anywhere else in the Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu itself makes it possible for a budget traveler to stay within a reasonable budget. It’s obviously not the same as sipping margaritas on a lonely beach at an exclusive resort, though it’s still pretty damn nice even staying in a hostel in this large city.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Polynesian Hostel Beach Club – 23/night
• Transportation: 5.00
• Meals: 21.60
• Drinks/Entertainment: 9.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$68.60/day

>>>Honolulu prices and weather

9 – Chicago, USA

Most things in Chicago are cheaper than in New York City, but there still aren’t too many hostels yet, so finding bargains can be tough. Fortunately, the city center is very compact and easy to visit, and many of the interesting ethnic neighborhoods are also close by and easy to reach.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Chicago Parthenon Hostel – 24/night
• Transportation: 4.00
• Meals: 21.60
• Drinks/Entertainment: 9.00
• Attractions: 13.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$71.60/day

>>>Chicago prices and weather

10 – Miami Beach, USA

Miami Beach (but not necessarily the nearby city of Miami) has really transformed itself into more of a luxury playground in the past two decades, so it’s not too surprising that it’s a bit tough of the backpacking set. Finding cheap meals and drinks can be a challenge, though it’s still a wonderful place to visit if you can fit it within your budget.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Jazz on South Beach Hostel – 24/night
• Transportation: 4.00
• Meals: 25.20
• Drinks/Entertainment: 15.00
• Attractions: 8.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$76.20/day

>>>Miami Beach prices and weather

11 – Toronto, Canada

Toronto has plenty going for it, as perhaps the nicest and cleanest huge city in North America, but some things here have really become expensive, including public transportation. The city center is compact enough to walk it though, and the nightlife district is one of the best in the world, so there’s no reason to stay away.

• Currency: Canadian dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Canadiana Backpackers Inn – 21.95/night
• Transportation: 6.00
• Meals: 22.80
• Drinks/Entertainment: 12.00
• Attractions: 15.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: CAD76.20 – US$76.23/day

>>>Toronto prices and weather

12 – New York City, USA

Unsurprisingly, New York City comes out as most expensive, partly due to the high cost of decent hostels here. This city has an abundance of horrible or remote hostels, and for most people it’s worth paying more for a good and central place. Once you have a bed NYC can be done at a reasonable cost, however. Also, the compact nature of the place makes finding cheap meals quite easy, which isn’t true of some of the spread-out cities. See our recommended hotels and hostels in New York City list for great choices that are all usually quite cheap.

• Currency: US dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Hostelling International New York – 38/night
• Transportation: 4.50
• Meals: 16.80
• Drinks/Entertainment: 15.00
• Attractions: 15.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: US$89.30/day

>>>New York City prices and weather

Also check out other indexes

• Africa and Middle East Backpacker Index for 2012
• Asia Backpacker Index for 2012
• Australia/New Zealand Backpacker Index for 2012
• Europe Backpacker Index for 2012
• South and Central America Backpacker Index for 2012

Related posts:

1. 14 North American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2011
2. 15 South and Central American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012
3. 15 South & Central American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2011
4. 26 Asian cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012
5. 47 European cities by price: European Backpacker Index for 2012