The WalletHub study aimed to pinpoint the overall cheapest spots that are also the easiest to reach. Also factored into the rankings: the number of restaurants, amusement parks, spas, coffee shops, bike-rental facilities, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, bike-rental facilities and food festivals.
WASHINGTON — The D.C. area has been named the No. 1 summer destination, based on travel costs, hotel and restaurant prices, and the number of attractions and activities on offer for visitors.
The WalletHub study analyzed the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. across a number of factors, including the cost, length and number of connections on the cheapest flights to the city, the lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room, the average price of a two-person meal and the weather.
Also factored into the rankings: the number of per capita restaurants, amusement parks, spas, coffee shops, bike-rental facilities, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, bike-rental facilities and food festivals
The goal was to pinpoint the overall cheapest spots that are also the easiest to reach, according to WalletHub.
The D.C. metro area — which includes the District, Northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs — edged out Orlando, Austin, Chicago and Atlanta to take the top spot on the best-bang-for-your-buck study.
The D.C. area is one of the more expensive on the list — it ranks 84 out of 100 on local costs — but the WalletHub study says the area is easy to get to, features a ton of activities and is relatively safe.
D.C. ranks in the top 10 for low travel costs and hassles, number of attractions, and safety, according to the study.
Los Angeles, which was ranked No. 12 overall, was listed as having the most attractions. New York, which was ranked No. 11 overall, came in at No. 1 for featuring the most activities. Honolulu, which was ranked 80th overall, was listed as having the best weather.
The Richmond, Virginia, area ranked No. 16 overall. Baltimore ranked No. 37. See a map of the 100 largest metro areas and how they ranked below:
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.