Cheapest States to Visit in the USA: Budget Travel Guide 2025

Ever wondered why your travel-loving friend somehow squeezes four trips into a year while you sweat over every hotel bill and activity fee? Here’s the not-so-secret secret: some states are way cheaper to explore than others, even when it comes to flights, food, and must-do adventures. So if you want a new adventure without burning through your savings, here's what you should know about picking your dream cheap getaway destination—and why the answer isn’t always as obvious as you’d think.

What Really Makes a State Cheap to Visit?

Let’s get one thing straight: “cheap” doesn’t mean “boring,” and expensive doesn’t always mean luxurious. The real trick is knowing what goes into your travel price tag. It’s not just the plane ticket (though that can get wild in peak summer)—it’s where you sleep, what you eat, how you get around, and the stuff you want to see and do. For most travelers, the big three are accommodation, food, and entertainment. Take a look at the average nightly price for a hotel in New York City (over $320 as of early 2025) compared to smaller cities in states like Oklahoma or Arkansas, where you can regularly find places for under $90 a night including breakfast.

Food can be surprisingly affordable if you know where to look. Street food, diners, and local markets often offer tastier, more memorable meals for half the cost of tourist hotspots. Some states just have lower living costs—think Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma—so even restaurant prices and gas tend to be friendlier on your wallet. Those savings stack up fast when you’re grabbing four meals a day because everything smells too good to resist.

Transportation is sneaky. If everything is close and public transit works well, you save big. Cities like Salt Lake City and Albuquerque make it pretty easy to get around for just a few bucks, while places like Miami, LA, or New York can empty your pockets the minute you land. Even gas prices swing wildly—Alabama’s gas prices are regularly among the lowest in the country, shaving dollars off every road trip leg.

Here’s where the real fun starts: entertainment. Entry fees for museums in larger cities often rival the cost of dinner. But states like New Mexico, Idaho, and Kentucky are peppered with free or super-cheap state parks, historic sites, and quirky roadside attractions that are just as Instagrammable as the big-ticket spots—if not more so.

There’s another wild card: the time of year. Even the cheapest state can bleed your wallet during a big festival or spring break. Before planning, always check the local calendar—some towns double in price the week of a music festival or major sports event, then drop to jaw-dropping bargains once the crowds leave. If you like empty trails and empty restaurants (and who doesn’t, honestly?), visiting off-season is double the win—cheap prices and fewer people to ruin your photos.

Which States Come Out on Top for Budget Travelers?

Now, here’s where it gets spicy. The number one cheapest state to visit depends on where you’re starting from and what kind of trip you want. But year after year, a few states dominate the “thrifty but awesome” charts.

Mississippi almost always takes the crown. Not just because things are cheap, but because you can cruise down the Blues Highway, see antebellum mansions, eat soul food that’ll make you rethink your life choices, and still have money left for gas home. You can find hotel deals for under $80 a night even in tourist hubs like Natchez and Tupelo, which is wild compared to coastal states. The Gulf Coast’s beaches are ridiculously beautiful, with miles of sand and surf for a fraction of Florida’s cost. And the food—don’t sleep on catfish, barbecue, and fried green tomatoes from roadside diners. If you want an authentic, low-cost American experience, you’ll get a deep sense of culture for peanuts here.

Arkansas is next-level underrated. You get Ozark Mountain adventure, tons of hiking, biking, and even world-class hot springs without splurging. Lodges and cabins are everywhere, often cheaper than boring chain hotels in big cities. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art? Totally free. State parks are legendary—Devil’s Den, Petit Jean, Mount Magazine—all with trails, waterfalls, and lakes begging for a picnic. Arkansas’s rich music history and quirky small towns mean your dollars go much further, especially if you fill up at local BBQ joints instead of chain restaurants.

Oklahoma brings weird and wonderful history, Route 66 nostalgia, epic Native American culture, and outdoor fun. Public museums and cultural centers keep ticket prices low. Even in the cities, rideshares and public buses make getting around cheap and easy. If you like discovering places before they hit Instagram, you’ll have stories to tell that nobody else can match. And don’t skip the fried pies and chicken-fried steak—they’re a deal and a half.

Let’s not leave out New Mexico. Santa Fe and Albuquerque are artsy, affordable, and full of desert charm. You can explore ancient pueblos, hike epic canyons, and check out roadside oddities like the Very Large Array radio telescopes for almost nothing. Even hot air balloon festivals have off-peak moments when you can snag deals most folks never notice. Plus, you’d be surprised how cheap chile-smothered burritos and green chile cheeseburgers can be off the tourist path.

If you love history and southern charm (without the Savannah price tag), Kentucky is loaded with bourbon distilleries, scenic horse trails, and cave adventures—Mammoth Cave National Park is a must. Local business hotels are far less expensive than the tourist trap city chains. You’ll find comfort food places where a slice of pie and a cup of coffee cost less than an airport bottled water. And there’s always a quirky local festival to crash depending on when you visit.

So what about the so-called “cheap” big cities? Occasionally, places like San Antonio, Albuquerque, or Memphis will sneak in as good deals if your timing is right. But even they can’t beat the rural charm and low prices of the above states for a weeklong stay.

How to Maximize Your Travel Savings in Cheap States

If you want to squeeze every last penny out of your trip budget, you need smart strategies—and maybe a little local know-how. The first secret? Avoid hotels where the interstate meets the airport. Local motels, B&Bs, cabins, and even campgrounds are usually comfier and cheaper. Look up regional chain hotels or old-school motor inns—they often have charm (and homemade biscuits for breakfast).

Rely on local recommendations. Chat up bartenders, shop owners, or your Airbnb host for where the locals eat. Hole-in-the-wall places have heart, flavor, and prices that beat tourist restaurants every time. Farmers’ markets? Stock up on snacks and picnic supplies for nature days—nothing says adventure like a grinder from a tiny bakery, eaten by a creek.

Transportation hacks matter. If you can road-trip, even better—especially when gas is cheap. Apps like GasBuddy can steer you to the very cheapest gas stations, and a cooler with snacks saves you from highway diner markups. For long stays or if you hate driving, check out regional buses and trains—especially in states like Kentucky and New Mexico, where they connect surprisingly well to small towns and national parks.

Pack your days with free attractions. Check county and state tourism websites for event calendars, free museum days, or music in the park. State parks, nature preserves, and hiking trails are everywhere in these budget-friendly places. If you like quirky or vintage vibes, aim for places with historic downtowns; you’ll score great deals on antiques, indie bookstores, and perhaps the world’s best pie.

• Go in the shoulder season: Late spring and early fall roll out mild weather and smaller crowds—plus discounts at hotels and attractions desperate for guests post-peak.
• Watch local calendars: Plan your trip just before or after a big event. You’ll snag cheap deals (and maybe leftovers from the festival for breakfast).
• Bundle experiences: Some states offer attraction passes or discount booklets for visitors. For example, Oklahoma and Arkansas both have tourist office promotions that include multiple sites for one fee.
• Think small: Small towns almost always deliver better deals, friendlier faces, and weird, memorable surprises compared to big cities.

Don’t forget to rack up loyalty points on your travel credit card, even for local motels or gas purchases. Sometimes local chains partner with major brands, meaning your budget trip gets you halfway to a free night in a fancy hotel later on. And just for fun: always check for rewards or user-submitted promo codes before booking anything online. Sometimes just entering your email will get you a special discount tucked away for newbies.

Finally, if spontaneity is your thing, look for last-minute deals. Rural hotels and campgrounds often post deep discounts when they’re less than half-full, especially midweek. If you can be flexible with your plans, you’ll score deals that feel like cheating. Cheap states are full of hidden gems, offbeat attractions, and friendly folks excited to share their corner of the world—especially when you’re not competing with a thousand other tourists for space and service.