This U.S. City Saw the Biggest Spike in Family Travel Costs-and No, It's Not New York City or Los Angeles

"While vacation prices have increased nationwide since 2019, the sharpest spikes have not occurred in the country's most expensive cities. Instead, the steepest growth in costs has taken place across the Mountain West, where demand has surged in midsize cities that once offered affordable alternatives to pricier coastal destinations."

"In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the total cost of a four-night trip for a family of four has risen by 27.7 percent-the largest increase among the 100 cities analyzed."

"No matter where you go, the analysis found, odds are you'll see a higher dining bill, with the cost of dining having the 'sharpest increase since the pandemic.' The study found that between 2019 and 2025, average daily meal expenses rose by 28.2 percent."

Vacation costs have increased substantially, with the average 2025 vacation costing $7,249, up nearly $1,400 from 2024. A Luxury Link analysis examined four-night family trips across 100 U.S. cities, analyzing flights, lodging, meals, and rental cars compared to 2019 prices. Albuquerque, New Mexico, experienced the largest overall increase at 27.7 percent, driven by 50 percent higher lodging costs and 45 percent higher meal prices. Other Mountain West cities like Spokane, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix also saw significant increases between 23.8 and 24.8 percent. Dining expenses showed the sharpest increase nationwide, rising 28.2 percent since 2019, representing the most dramatic post-pandemic cost surge.

Read at Travel + Leisure