As we’ve said, it all depends. Will you be crisscrossing the country or taking a deep dive in just one destination? Will you be living it up in luxury hotels or roughing it with motel stays and fast food meals?
Will you stick to cheaper off-the-beaten-path destinations or explore some of the most expensive cities in the country (like San Francisco and New York)?
Whatever you choose, you’re likely to find the costs of food, activities, and even transport mostly cheaper in the US than in Australia.
The Costs of Accommodation in the USA
Do you want to live it up like Queen Beyonce or are you in for a classic backpacker experience and sharing a dorm with several fellow travellers?
Whatever option you choose, your accommodation is likely to take the largest chunk out of your budget.
The US has accommodation to meet every budget, from B&Bs to roadside motels and even campsites.
On average, you’re looking at the following costs for two people in a private room:
As a rough estimate, you could be looking at:
- Budget: US$100-140 per night
- Mid-range: US$260-360 per night
- Luxury: US$700 or more per night
The Costs of Food in the USA
America is known for its food, from the scintillating Cajun and Creole cuisines of New Orleans to the homely soul food dishes of Harlem, and from the appetising steak dishes of Texas to New York hot dogs and Floridean Key Lime Pie.
In general, eating out in the US costs roughly the same as in Australia, except the portions are often larger and the menu prices LOOK smaller. Don’t be fooled: tax and tips are usually added on after the fact. Tips should be between 15% and 20% of your total bill.
On average, dining out costs about US$23 per person while total daily food costs come to an average of US$58.
You can expect to pay the following per person, per meal (excluding tax and tipping):
- Budget meal at a fast food joint or food truck: US$9-15
- Mid-range meal at a decent restaurant: US$20-25
- A high-end meal at a luxury venue: US$60+
Thankfully, it’s easy to save money on food in the US by following some of these tips:
- Split a meal. Portions are typically huge so you should still be satiated even when sharing one dish.
- Get takeaway. If you have a fridge in your motel or a kitchen at your Airbnb, request a box for your leftovers and save them for another meal.
- Cook your own food. Accommodation options from Airbnbs to hostels often have kitchens you can use to prepare your meals.
The Costs of Transport in the USA
In a country as large as the US, it’s hard to avoid travelling, whether that’s on public transport, in ubers and taxis, or even with vehicle hire.
As with almost everything else, the average costs for transport vary from one state to the next.
Take taxi rides. In New York City or Los Angeles, you can expect to pay the average median fare of about US$22. In Detroit, on the other hand, a typical fare is only about US$12. TaxiFareFinder gives you the average fares for taxi journeys in various locations.
One of the most popular ways to travel the US is to take a road trip. Once again, the prices will vary dramatically depending on a range of factors, like the type of car you hire, peak times, and even how old you are.
You’ll pay a significantly higher amount if you’re under 25 because of the high insurance premiums the car companies automatically add to under-25s.
On average, expect to pay the following for week-long car hire:
- Budget car hire for two people and luggage: US$300
- Mid-range car hire for four people and luggage: US$300-350
- Luxury car hire for a convertible or large SUV: US$350-550
Want to save some cash? Here are a few handy tips to help you keep the costs down for car hire in the US:
- Rent a car from a less-frequented town like Orlando rather than from NYC or LA.
- Make the most of weekly rates or long-term rental discounts.
- Hire your car from an inner-city branch rather than from the airport.
- Hire a car outside peak periods; check if there are any major events happening in the city you’re visiting before you go.
- Avoid extra fees for additional insurance - these are often covered by your credit card insurance or travel insurance (but make sure you check beforehand!)
- Pick up and drop off your rental car from the same location to avoid one-way rental fees.
While petrol is relatively cheap in the US compared to Australia, prices still vary from one station to the next and between states.
Avoid interstate exit petrol stations and download the Gas Buddy app to find the cheapest petrol rates near you.
The Costs of Activities in the USA
If you’ve saved up to travel all that way, you don’t want to skimp on the best part - the attractions.
It’s a good idea when costing out your budget to make a list of all the American attractions you’d like to visit and their costs. For example:
- Empire State Building: From US$44 for an adult
- Alcatraz Tours: From US$45.25 for an adult
- Universal Studios: US$109-149 for general admission
- Disney World Theme Park (Orlando): US$109 per day
- The Statue of Liberty: From US$24.50 per adult
With a bit of clever planning and some flexibility, you can actually save a hefty amount of cash with these money-saving tips for US attractions:
- Try booking online with a site like Viator for early-bird discounts.
- Buy a CityPASS, which often includes skip-the-line and public transport fares as well.
- If you’re heading to multiple national parks, buy a National Parks Annual Pass for US$80 and get entry to over 2,000 American parks for up to 4 people for a year.
- Find out the ‘free entry’ days for big-ticket attractions like the Museum of Modern Art (free on Friday nights).
