Many Americans dream of living in a European city like Paris, Rome or Barcelona, or in a quaint villa in Burgundy, Tuscany or the English countryside.
Many European cities and towns paint an idyllic picture of safe places with rich culture and great transport systems, and these portrayals are true, at least to some extent.
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However, traveling to Europe can be a hassle. In addition to enduring long flights, visiting different parts of Europe can be expensive, including flights, hotels, transportation, and meals. In addition, some tourists have difficulty adapting to the customs of European cities and towns. The good news is that there are many destinations in the United States that have similar characteristics to Europe but are much cheaper.
Of course, no city is cheaper in every way than another, and some cities will always cost more than others. For this research, we collected prices from a variety of sources, including Numbeo, Statista, Budget Your Trip and a variety of public and local transport/accommodation pricing services. All prices are accurate as of 31 May 2024.
Prices in comparison cities were almost always higher in some ways and lower in others, but overall, European destinations were always significantly more expensive, if for no other reason than the cost of airfare.
With this in mind, let's take a look at some interesting city pairings between the US and Europe.
Minneapolis / Berlin
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $158 / From $969
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $178 / From $761
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Average hotel price: $137 / $171
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $77 / $76
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2.50 / $3.81
Minnesota generally has a large concentration of people of German or Scandinavian descent, and Minneapolis is no exception: Many visitors liken Minneapolis to cities like Rotterdam or Berlin, with its liberal sensibilities and healthy lifestyle filled with plenty of outdoor recreational activities.
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Los Angeles / London
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: N/A / From $78
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $242 / From $620
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Average hotel price: $169 / $180
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $120 / $102
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One-way ticket (local transport): $1.75 / $3.58
Let's be honest, there's no city in the world quite like Los Angeles. But its personality and style share a lot in common with London. Both are cosmopolitan cities with abundant culinary and cultural opportunities and stunning architecture. They're also both global financial centers offering world-class entertainment.
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Boston / Dublin
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $267 / From $838
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $107 / From $627
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Average hotel price: $233/$228
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100 / $97
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2.40 / $2.18
Boston's strong Irish tradition reminds many tourists of Dublin. Boston has fascinating architecture and world-class universities, as well as a very lively pub district and famous breweries. Both cities are very walkable, weather permitting. Although the costs are about the same, it will cost you a lot more to get to Dublin than to get to Boston.
Newport, Rhode Island / Blois, France
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $353 / From $708
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $176 / From $646
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Average hotel price: $112 / $149
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $80 / N/A
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2 / $1.36
Newport's opulent Gilded Age mansions are a real treat for visitors and add to the feel of old European opulence. France's Loire Valley cities, like Blois, are comparable options, but are much less accessible and much more expensive than their domestic counterparts.
Washington DC / Paris
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $195 / From $708
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $183 / From $646
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Average hotel price: $178/$203
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100 / $76
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2.50 / $2.34
Washington DC's layout was designed by Frenchman Pierre Charles L'Enfant, so it's no surprise the two cities are similar: they're both separated by a large river, both have major landmarks centered around large green spaces, are renowned for world-class museums, and each has a magnificent Gothic cathedral. They're also both capitals of their respective countries. The costs are roughly the same, but airfares pretty much kill any idea that you'll save money by going to Paris over DC.
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San Francisco / Barcelona & Lisbon
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $105 / From $883
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $306 / From $766
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Average hotel price: $170/$204 and $263
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100 / $65 and $54
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2.60/$2.72 and $2.18
In the late 1800s, San Francisco was known as the “Paris of the West,” but in reality it has a character and geography closer to major European port cities like Barcelona and Lisbon. All three share diverse neighborhoods, vibrant energy and coastal Mediterranean climates. San Francisco's famous cable cars are reminiscent of Lisbon's excellent streetcar system.
Philadelphia / Glasgow, Scotland
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $247 / From $937
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $170 / From $740
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Average hotel price: $151 / $149
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $75 / $77
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One-way ticket (local transport): $2.50 / $3.32
Philadelphia was thought to be so similar to Glasgow that the filmmakers used it as a stand-in city during filming of World War Z. Both cities are laid out on a grid, are brimming with arts and culture, and boast stunning Art Deco architecture.
New Orleans / Vienna
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $185 / From $931
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $199 / From $768
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Average hotel price: $132 / $215
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100 / $76
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One-way ticket (local transport): $1.50 / $2.61
New Orleans is often referred to as America's most European city, with strong French and Spanish influences in everything from cuisine to architecture. The city's historic district and world-class cuisine make it a top travel destination for Americans and foreigners alike.
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Santa Barbara, California / Nice, France
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $279 / From $896
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $242 / From $812
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Average hotel price: $253 / $327
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $85 / $76
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One-way ticket (local transport): $1.75 / $1.85
Beautiful Santa Barbara has long been compared to the French Riviera due to its seaside setting, rich culture and high quality of life, and while parts of Santa Barbara can be quite pricey, for tourists it remains far less expensive than the luxurious standards of cities like Nice.
Solvang, California / Copenhagen, Denmark
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Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles: From $279 / From $972
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Roundtrip airfare from New York: From $242 / From $765
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Average hotel price: $141 / $238
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Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $90 / $117
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One-way ticket (local transport): $1.50 / $3.50
Upon arriving in Solvang, you might immediately think you've been transported to Scandinavia. The city was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish-Americans who wanted to preserve Danish culture, so it's no surprise that there's a strong Danish influence in Solvang.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 US Destinations That Are Similar to Europe, But Much Cheaper
