5 U.S. Cities Where It Costs Too Much To Dine Out on Vacation
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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After transportation and lodging, meals make up a significant portion of a vacation budget. The average vacation for one person in the U.S. costs roughly $1,986 per week, per statistics from the vacation real estate website Pacaso.com.
Food should cost roughly $58 per day, per person, according to Pacaso.com. That means food makes up more than 20% of your budget. It is also one of the areas of your vacation where you can cut costs with smart dining choices. But you may also opt to vacation in a U.S. city with lower food costs overall.
Many U.S. cities with high food prices also cost more for transportation, lodging and other expenses, according to a recent study sent to GOBankingRates from DipNDive.
The folks at DipNDive broke down the least tourist-friendly cities based on a variety of factors. The five U.S. cities below stood out, in particular, for having high meal costs. The average restaurant meal in these cities costs $20 or more. These cities also had high noise levels, a large tourist population and higher-than-average crime rates.
U.S. Cities With the Most Expensive Restaurant Meals
- New York City: $30
- San Francisco: $25
- Los Angeles: $25
- San Diego: $22
- Las Vegas: $20.89
How To Save Money on Food on Vacation
Fortunately, even if you choose to vacation in one of these cities, it’s easy to save money on food with some frugal choices. For instance, Pacaso.com recommended taking advantage of a hotel’s free breakfast. Some savvy travelers even stow fruit or yogurt from the hotel breakfast in their bag for a light lunch or mid-day snack.
If you have a vacation rental with a kitchen you can cook a few meals for added cost savings. Consider shopping at local farmstands or visiting a farmer’s market for fresh produce as part of the vacation experience.
Plan your dining experiences to avoid on-the-go meals you may regret. For instance, if your day includes museums and other tourist attractions, avoid buying food from the museum snack bar or café. Wait until you leave to find a higher quality and potentially less costly, choice. If you are at a theme park, it might be worth leaving the park to grab lunch at a local restaurant.
Finally, grab those brochures and local guides in the hotel lobby. You may find coupons for local restaurants. If you’re dining at a U.S. restaurant chain, join the loyalty club to take advantage of any discounts. Even if you don’t have that particular restaurant in your hometown, you can enjoy the deals when you travel.
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