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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.
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Minneapolis / Berlin
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $158 / from $969
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $178 / from $761
Average hotel price: $137 / $171
Cost of meal for two in mid-range restaurant: $77/$76
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
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: None / starting at $78
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $242 / from $620
Average hotel price: $169/$180
Cost of a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: $120/$102
One-way ticket (local transport): $1.75/$3.58
The story continues
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
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $267 / from $838
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $107 / from $627
Average hotel price: $233 / $228
Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100/$97
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.
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Newport, Rhode Island / Blois, France
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $353 / from $708
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $176 / from $646
Average hotel price: $112 / $149
Cost of a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: $80 / N/A
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.
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Washington DC / Paris
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $195 / from $708
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $183 / from $646
Average hotel price: $178/$203
Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100/$76
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
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $105 / from $883
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $306 / from $766
Average hotel price: $170/$204, $263
Cost of a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: $100/$65 and $54
One-way ticket (local transport): $2.60/$2.72, $2.18
In the late 1800s, San Francisco was known as the “Paris of the West,” but it’s actually more similar in character and geography 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 also reminiscent of Lisbon’s excellent streetcar system.
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Philadelphia / Glasgow, Scotland
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $247 / from $937
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $170 / from $740
Average hotel price: $151 / $149
Cost of a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: $75/$77
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.
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New Orleans / Vienna
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $185 / from $931
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $199 / from $768
Average hotel price: $132 / $215
Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $100/$76
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
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $279 / from $896
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $242 / from $812
Average hotel price: $253/$327
Cost of a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: $85/$76
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 expensive, for tourists it remains far less expensive than the luxurious standards of cities such as Nice.
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Solvang, California / Copenhagen, Denmark
Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles: from $279 / from $972
Roundtrip flights from New York: from $242 / from $765
Average hotel price: $141 / $238
Cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $90/$117
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
