Are Hotels or Airbnbs More Affordable? New Study Found the Cities Where There's a Big Difference

The study’s findings are perhaps not surprising: Airbnbs offer a significant edge in affordability across most of the country. Booking a vacation rental on Airbnb is cheaper in 71 out of 100 cities. On average, Airbnbs cost a nightly rate of $156, compared to $208 for hotels — a potential saving of roughly $52 per night. Prices were compared across two booking platforms, Airbnb and Kayak.

However, the cost dynamics aren’t uniform across all locations. Upgraded Points highlight a significant variation depending on the city. Cities like Milwaukee and Chicago offered substantial savings for Airbnb stays, with average nightly hotel rates exceeding $350. Conversely, travelers may pay more for an Airbnb experience in some locations like Madison and Tucson.

Cities where it’s cheaper to stay in an Airbnb over a hotel

• 1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee tops the list with a $212.19 savings when booking the average Airbnb, and Brew City has a great selection of Airbnb homes to choose from.

• 2. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Airbnbs cost around $166, while an average hotel room will set you back a whopping $364. From luxury apartments and spacious lofts to designer homes, Chicago’s Airbnb offerings are eclectic.

• 3. Omaha, Nebraska

Hotel: $343.30
Airbnb: $145.06
Difference: $198.34

• 4. Cleveland, Ohio

Hotel: $322.29
Airbnb: $125.09
Difference: $197.20

• 5. Charleston, South Carolina

The average cost of an Airbnb in Charleston is $210, compared to $395 for a hotel. Charleston has some great Airbnbs for a weekend getaway and group-sized homes for family trips or bachelor and bachelorette parties.

• 6. Boston, Massachusetts

Hotel: $362.66
Airbnb: $202.30
Difference: $160.36

• 7. New Haven, Connecticut

Hotel: $332.50
Airbnb: $188.90
Difference: $143.60

• 8. Detroit, Michigan

Hotel: $257.24
Airbnb: $131.65
Difference: $125.59

• 9. Providence, Rhode Island

Hotel: $306.15
Airbnb: $181.11
Difference: $125.04

• 10. Seattle, Washington

Hotel: $280.22
Airbnb: $159.34
Difference: $120.88

Cities where it’s cheaper to stay in a hotel over an Airbnb

Of course, many factors, like being able to prepare meals at home, having laundry facilities, and often private parking, make an Airbnb the more budget-friendly option overall, but if you’re raking up points or prefer the holiday vibes of a hotel, these cities have the most affordable rooms across the country.

• 1. Madison, Wisconsin

Airbnb: $223.49
Hotel: $167.18
Difference: $56.31

• 2. Tucson, Arizona

Airbnb: $142.09
Hotel: $99.40
Difference: $42.67

• 3. Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield has decent hotel rooms for as little as $123.48 compared to the average Airbnb for $163.89. The city is also home to one of the most haunted hotels in the US.

• 4. Jackson, Mississippi

Airbnb: $150.68
Hotel: $112.34
Difference: $38.34

• 5. Scranton, Pennsylvania

Airbnb: $184.50
Hotel: $149.68
Difference: $34.82

• 6. Fort Myers, Florida

Opting for a hotel room over an Airbnb in Fort Myers will average a $34.05 savings. Check out The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for excellent oceanfront resorts and boutique hotels.

• 7. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Airbnb: $146.21
Hotel: $113.20
Difference: $33.01

• 7. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Airbnb: $146.21
Hotel: $113.20
Difference: $33.01

• 8. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Sure, Colorado Springs is home to mega-hotels like Garden of the Gods, which will set you back a pretty penny, but there are a ton of small mid-range hotels that are well-priced, and many are pet-friendly like Kinship Landing. The average hotel room here is $188.28 compared to an Airbnb for $220.53 per night.

• 9. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Airbnb: $206.65
Hotel: $175.26
Difference: $31.38

• 10. Stockton, California

Airbnb: $187.98
Hotel: $163.60
Difference: $24.38