This City Was Just Named the No. 1 Affordable Getaway in the U.S. West

"But if you really want to save cash while simultaneously exploring a new place, you'll need to go somewhere known for being inexpensive. And in the American West, that's Phoenix. The Arizona city came in top for the region and second overall when it comes to affordable vacations, according to a study from GOBankingRates. In fact, the study found a three-night trip to Phoenix for two adults during the summer will cost travelers an average of just $1,120."

"To calculate its costs, GOBankingRates looked at the most popular tourist destinations in the country (thanks to data from Travel + Leisure, U.S. News & World Report, Tripadvisor, Nomadic Matt, and Holidify), and analyzed the cost of a vacation for two adults traveling from Aug. 7 to 10. For the purposes of the study, the company assumed the travelers booked three nights in a hotel, ate out at three mid-range restaurants, had 12 meals at inexpensive restaurants, and consumed six beers and six sodas."

Phoenix ranks among the most affordable vacation destinations in the American West, with a three-night summer trip for two averaging about $1,120. Travelers in Phoenix typically spend roughly $271 on a hotel, $294 on airfare, $503 on meals, and $53 on drinks. The Sonoran Desert area offers many free attractions, including The Square PHX, Camelback Mountain hikes, and Roosevelt Row street art. Cost calculations used popular destination lists and assumed three hotel nights, three mid-range restaurant meals, 12 inexpensive meals, and six beers and six sodas. Concord, North Carolina, offers an even cheaper three-night getaway at about $940, while El Centro, California, ranked fourth with a low total trip cost.

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