Aspen Tops the List of America’s Most Expensive Tourist Destinations
If you’re planning a summer getaway, you might want to double-check your budget—especially if Aspen is on your list. A recent GoBankingRates study has ranked the most expensive tourist destinations in the U.S., and the Colorado mountain town snagged the top spot.
The study looked at 91 popular cities, narrowing the final list to 55 based on available data. Researchers calculated the cost of a three-night weekend trip for two adults in August, including airfare, meals, drinks, and the average rates of the three cheapest hotels within five miles of downtown. Aspen’s eye-popping numbers made it the most expensive place to visit in the entire country.
The biggest factor? Airfare. Flights into Aspen average $1,341 per couple, nearly double the cost of flying into many other major destinations. Add in hotel rates of $791, food costs totaling $510, and drinks at about $7.50 each, and the total for a short Aspen trip hits $2,708.
That’s significantly higher than even the second-place city, Santa Barbara, California, which totals $2,446. Rounding out the top five are Anchorage, Alaska ($2,294), Bar Harbor, Maine ($2,224), and Fairbanks, Alaska ($2,157).
Here’s the complete Top 10 Most Expensive Tourist Destinations in the U.S. according to GoBankingRates:
-
Aspen, Colorado – $2,708
-
Santa Barbara, California – $2,446
-
Anchorage, Alaska – $2,294
-
Bar Harbor, Maine – $2,224
-
Fairbanks, Alaska – $2,157
-
Portland, Maine – $2,150
-
New York, New York – $2,134
-
Asheville, North Carolina – $2,058
-
Seattle, Washington – $2,024
-
Juneau, Alaska – $2,016
The report also highlights that not every Colorado destination comes with Aspen’s price tag. Colorado Springs ranked much lower at 34th overall ($1,621), while Denver landed at 43rd ($1,526)—making the Mile High City a relative bargain by comparison.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the cheapest destination in the U.S. was found to be Clearwater, Florida, where a couple can enjoy a three-night trip for just $998.
So while Aspen may be a bucket-list trip, it might also be one worth saving up for—especially if you want to experience Colorado’s luxury mountain town without breaking the bank.
