New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Exploring the Most and Least Expensive Cities Across the U.S. to Celebrate NYE 2024

Thursday, 07 December 2023 : New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Exploring the Most and Least Expensive Cities Across the U.S. to Celebrate NYE 2024

Celebrating New Year's Eve can take various forms, from watching the iconic ball drop from the cozy confines of home to attending lively parties or embarking on travels. The cityscape of New York, home to the renowned Times Square Ball, stands as the epitome of New Year's festivities. It claims the top spot in WalletHub's ranking of the best cities for New Year's celebrations.

WalletHub's ranking of the best cities for New Year's celebrations:

1. New York

2. Orlando, Fla.

3. Las Vegas

4. San Francisco

5. Atlanta

6. Denver

7. Washington, D.C.

8. Chicago

9. Los Angeles

10. Seattle

WalletHub's evaluation considered factors such as the number of events, availability of fireworks, music venues, and estimated costs in ranking the largest 100 cities. A significant portion of Americans (70%) plans to allocate at least $50 for their New Year's Eve plans, according to WalletHub's findings. However, revelers in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago can anticipate an average expenditure of $865 for a dinner and a show for two.

Surprisingly, Irvine, California, emerges as the most expensive location to celebrate New Year's Eve:

Most expensive location to celebrate New Year's Eve in U.S.

1. Irvine, Calif.

2. Miami

3. New York

4. Honolulu

5. New Orleans

6. Seattle

7. Oakland, Calif.

8. San Francisco

9. Washington, D.C.

10. Henderson, Nev.

WalletHub's survey predicts that over 80 million Americans plan to travel for New Year's Eve, with nearly half opting for driving as their mode of transportation.

For those on a budget, affordable cities become attractive options for revelry. 

The least expensive cities to celebrate New Year's Eve in America include:

1. El Paso, Texas

2. Tulsa, Okla.

3. Durham, N.C.

4. Plano, Texas

5. Stockton, Calif.

6. Glendale, Ariz.

7. Lubbock, Texas

8. Memphis, Tenn.

9. Gilbert, Ariz.

10. Chandler, Ariz.

It's worth noting that while some of the best-rated cities also appear on the most expensive list, the least expensive cities do not compromise on the fun factor. El Paso, for instance, secures the 19th position in the overall rankings. Irrespective of the chosen location for ringing in the New Year, prioritizing safety is crucial.