a new study by GOBankingRates . With an average three-night trip costing just $940, it’s the only city in the study with a total vacation cost under $1,000. Located on the outskirts of Charlotte , Concord offers historic charm, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions—all without the hefty price tag.
The report evaluated 30 popular destinations using data from Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, U.S. News & World Report, and more. Researchers assumed two adults traveling from August 7–10, dining at a mix of restaurants and staying in one of the area’s three most affordable hotels.
Concord beat out Phoenix ($1,120) and Macon, Georgia ($1,184), thanks to its low-cost accommodations, meals, and easy access via Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The study did not include any Florida cities in its top 30, while Texas dominated the list with nine entries.
Here’s the complete ranking of America’s Most Budget-Friendly Tourist Destinations:
1. Concord, North Carolina
Total cost for all meals: $462Total cost of drinks: $66Total cost of hotel: $215Total cost of airfare: $197Total cost of vacation: $940
2. Phoenix
Total cost for all meals: $503Total cost of drinks: $53Total cost of hotel: $271Total cost of airfare: $294Total cost of vacation: $1,120
3. Macon, Georgia
Total cost for all meals: $360Total cost of drinks: $50Total cost of hotel: $176Total cost of airfare: $598Total cost of vacation: $1,184
4. El Centro, California
Total cost for all meals: $264Total cost of drinks: $30Total cost of hotel: $173Total cost of airfare: $776Total cost of vacation: $1,243
5. Brownsville, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $285Total cost of drinks: $75Total cost of hotel: $145Total cost of airfare: $831Total cost of vacation: $1,336
6. Niagara Falls, New York
Total cost for all meals: $563Total cost of drinks: $57Total cost of hotel: $394Total cost of airfare: $324Total cost of vacation: $1,337
7. Las Vegas
Total cost for all meals: $528Total cost of drinks: $54Total cost of hotel: $164Total cost of airfare: $593Total cost of vacation: $1,339
8. Pearland, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $321Total cost of drinks: $48Total cost of hotel: $245Total cost of airfare: $748Total cost of vacation: $1,362
9. McAllen, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $447Total cost of drinks: $45Total cost of hotel: $159Total cost of airfare: $754Total cost of vacation: $1,405
10. Fargo, North Dakota
Total cost for all meals: $330Total cost of drinks: $51Total cost of hotel: $187Total cost of airfare: $865Total cost of vacation: $1,433
11. Cincinnati
Total cost for all meals: $360Total cost of drinks: $49Total cost of hotel: $272Total cost of airfare: $754Total cost of vacation: $1,435
12. McKinney, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $453Total cost of drinks: $52Total cost of hotel: $201Total cost of airfare: $735Total cost of vacation: $1,441
13. League City, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $443Total cost of drinks: $40Total cost of hotel: $216Total cost of airfare: $748Total cost of vacation: $1,447
14. Sugar Land, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $443Total cost of drinks: $52Total cost of hotel: $207Total cost of airfare: $748Total cost of vacation: $1,449
15. Harlingen, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $474Total cost of drinks: $46Total cost of hotel: $180Total cost of airfare: $754Total cost of vacation: $1,454
16. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Total cost for all meals: $324Total cost of drinks: $49Total cost of hotel: $292Total cost of airfare: $807Total cost of vacation: $1,473
17. Nashville, Tennessee
Total cost for all meals: $423Total cost of drinks: $59Total cost of hotel: $203Total cost of airfare: $794Total cost of vacation: $1,479
18. Dallas
Total cost for all meals: $465Total cost of drinks: $59Total cost of hotel: $221Total cost of airfare: $735Total cost of vacation: $1,479
19. Providence, Rhode Island
Total cost for all meals: $528Total cost of drinks: $53Total cost of hotel: $263Total cost of airfare: $646Total cost of vacation: $1,490
20. Grand Prairie, Texas
Total cost for all meals: $375Total cost of drinks: $52Total cost of hotel: $179Total cost of airfare: $884Total cost of vacation: $1,491
21. Savannah, Georgia
Total cost for all meals: $420Total cost of drinks: $41Total cost of hotel: $188Total cost of airfare: $847Total cost of vacation: $1,495
22. Frankfort, Kentucky
Total cost for all meals: $300Total cost of drinks: $30Total cost of hotel: $223Total cost of airfare: $946Total cost of vacation: $1,499
23. Louisville, Kentucky
Total cost for all meals: $423Total cost of drinks: $51Total cost of hotel: $179Total cost of airfare: $851Total cost of vacation: $1,504
24. Ankeny, Iowa
Total cost for all meals: $353Total cost of drinks: $46Total cost of hotel: $273Total cost of airfare: $833Total cost of vacation: $1,504
25. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Total cost for all meals: $375Total cost of drinks: $54Total cost of hotel: $198Total cost of airfare: $879Total cost of vacation: $1,506
26. O’Fallon, Missouri
Total cost for all meals: $360Total cost of drinks: $29Total cost of hotel: $244Total cost of airfare: $881Total cost of vacation: $1,514
27. St. Charles, Missouri
Total cost for all meals: $375Total cost of drinks: $45Total cost of hotel: $216Total cost of airfare: $881Total cost of vacation: $1,516
28. Bethesda, Maryland
Total cost for all meals: $423Total cost of drinks: $45Total cost of hotel: $287Total cost of airfare: $763Total cost of vacation: $1,518
29. Columbus, Indiana
Total cost for all meals: $360Total cost of drinks: $49Total cost of hotel: $295Total cost of airfare: $814Total cost of vacation: $1,518
30. Alexandria, Virginia
Total cost for all meals: $488Total cost of drinks: $51Total cost of hotel: $227Total cost of airfare: $763Total cost of vacation: $1,528
Concord has just been ranked the #1 most budget-friendly tourist destination in the U.S., according to a new study by GOBankingRates. With an average three-night trip costing just $940, it’s the only city in the study with a total vacation cost under $1,000. Located on the outskirts of Charlotte, Concord offers historic charm, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions—all without the hefty price tag.
