When the mercury drops, some Americans welcome the chill while others follow the sun. To help people make their winter travel plans, WalletHub compared the cheapest U.S. destinations that are also the easiest to reach. In total, we analyzed nearly 70 of the largest metro areas — grouped as “warm” or “cold” — based on 37 key metrics, including two weeks of flight data, safety indicators and weather predictions. . Compared with other rankings that focus on each destination’s scenic quality, this report focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability. This report also ensures the number of attractions and the variety of activities in each destination will keep everyone busy and entertained throughout the trip.

Top 5 Winter Holiday Destinations

Cold Weather

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Chicago, IL
3. St. Louis, MO
4. New York, NY
5. Cincinnati, OH

Warm Weather

1. Las Vegas, NV
2. San Diego, CA
3. Dallas, TX
4. Austin, TX
5. Phoenix, AZ

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

1. Top Cold-Weather Destinations
2. In-Depth Look at the Top Cold-Weather Destinations
3. Top Warm-Weather Destinations
4. In-Depth Look at the Top Warm-Weather Destinations
5. Ask the Experts
6. Methodology

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that MSA, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Travel Costs & Hassles

Lowest

• 1. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
• 2. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
• 3. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
• 4. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• 5. St. Louis, MO-IL

Highest

• 28. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
• 29. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
• 30. Salt Lake City, UT
• 31. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
• 32. Worcester, MA-CT

Local Costs

Lowest

• 1. Pittsburgh, PA
• 2. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
• 3. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
• 4. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
• 5. Cleveland-Elyria, OH

Highest

• 28. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
• 29. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
• 30. Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
• 31. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
• 32. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Attractions

Most

• 1. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• 2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
• 3. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
• 4. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
• 5. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Fewest

• 28. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
• 29. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
• 30. Worcester, MA-CT
• 31. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
• 32. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT

Cold-Weather Activities

Most

• 1. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
• 2. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• 3. St. Louis, MO-IL
• 4. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
• 5. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Fewest

• 28. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
• 29. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
• 30. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
• 31. Worcester, MA-CT
• 32. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT

Show More

The Atlanta metro area is the best cold-weather winter travel destination of 2026, even if it doesn’t get quite as chilly as some of the other cities on the list. Atlanta has a large number of attractions and an especially high number of shopping centers, spas, food festivals and restaurants per capita.

During the winter travel season, the cheapest flights to Atlanta from major cities only require an average of 0.2 connections (meaning many flights won’t have any) and can cost as little as $245.

Atlanta ranks in the top half of destinations when it comes to vacation safety, with the 12th-lowest property crime rate and 18th-lowest violent crime rate among the 32 metro areas for cold destinations in our study.

The Chicago metro area is the second-best cold-weather winter travel destination, with the cheapest flights from major cities having no connections and costing as little as $302.

Chicago naturally boasts a ton of attractions, including ones that are perfect for winter vacationers. The metro area has the 10th-most ice skating rinks per capita, for example, along with a very high number of music venues, spas and affordable restaurants with at least 4.5 stars.

Finally, the Chicago metro area has the 18th-lowest property crime rate among the 32 metro areas for cold destinations in our study.

Travel Costs & Hassles

Lowest

• 1. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
• 2. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
• 3. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
• 4. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
• 5. New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Highest

• 33. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
• 34. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
• 35. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
• 36. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
• 37. Urban Honolulu, HI

Local Costs

Lowest

• 1. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
• 2. Baton Rouge, LA
• 3. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
• 4. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
• 5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Highest

• 33. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
• 34. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
• 35. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
• 36. Salinas, CA
• 37. Urban Honolulu, HI

Attractions

Most

• 1. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
• 2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
• 3. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
• 4. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
• 5. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Fewest

• 33. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
• 34. Killeen-Temple, TX
• 35. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
• 36. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
• 37. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL

Warm-Weather Activities

Most

• 1. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
• 2. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
• 3. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
• 4. Urban Honolulu, HI
• 5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL

Fewest

• 33. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
• 34. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
• 35. Killeen-Temple, TX
• 36. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
• 37. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

Show More

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that MSA, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

The Las Vegas metro area is the best warm-weather winter travel destination of 2026. Las Vegas surprisingly has affordable accommodations during the winter travel season, with some of the lowest prices of a 3-star hotel room at $62 per night. Las Vegas is a bit more expensive to actually get to than other cities, though, with the cheapest flights from major cities costing $319 and an average of 0.33 connections.

Las Vegas shines due to its abundance of attractions, including an especially high number of amusement parks and shopping centers. The metro area also has plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with the seventh-best parks in the country, and a high number of basketball courts, bike rental facilities and public golf courses per capita. In addition, Las Vegas is one of the best places for affordable, high-quality restaurants.

The San Diego metro area is the second-best warm-weather winter travel destination, in large part because it has the third-most pleasant weather conditions in the country. San Diego has a very large number of attractions, too, including it has an especially high number of amusement parks, bike rental facilities, shopping centers and affordable, highly-rated restaurants.

The cheapest flights to San Diego from major cities can be as low as $370 and have an average of 0.3 connections, so many flights are direct. While it’s pricier to visit San Diego or other warm-weather destinations compared to cold-weather destinations during the winter, the flights are still fairly reasonably priced.

When it comes to safety, San Diego has the eighth-lowest motor vehicle fatality rate and the 12th-lowest fatality rate due to drunk driving among the 37 metro areas for warm destinations in our study. It also has the fourth-lowest property crime rate and the 16th-lowest violent crime rate.

Many Americans travel far during winter either to escape or enjoy the cold, which can be a costly ordeal depending on multiple factors. With budget-conscious and group travelers in mind, we asked a panel of experts to provide guidance on planning cost-effective trips without sacrificing pleasure. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What is the outlook for the upcoming winter travel season?
2. What are the best ways for travelers to save money?
3. What are some logistical do’s and don’ts for winter travel?
4. In evaluating the best cities for winter holiday travel, what are the top five indicators?
5. What economic factors might affect winter travel this year?

Ask the Experts

Dr. John A. Yeressian
JD, MBA - CA broker #01855965, Professor of Business and Real Estate, Department Chair El Camino College
Read More

Marybeth Gasman
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education & Distinguished Professor, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Read More

Dr. Arthur Blaser
J.D., Ph.D. – Professor Emeritus, Departments of Peace & Justice Studies and Political Science, Chapman University, Member, Board of Trustees, Mobility Service Dogs
Read More

Rosane K. Gertner
Professor, Marketing - College of Staten Island, The City University of New York
Read More

Xinyi Qian
Tourism Center Director & Extension State Specialist - University of Minnesota
Read More

Babu George
Ph.D. – Full Professor of Management, School of Business - Alcorn State University
Read More

More Experts

In order to determine the best winter holiday destinations, WalletHub compared 69 of the most populated U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs, across six key dimensions: 1) Travel Costs & Hassles, 2) Local Costs, 3) Attractions, 4) Weather, 5) Activities and 6) Safety.

We evaluated those dimensions using 37 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most ideal winter travel conditions. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Of the 130 MSAs in our initial sample, we eliminated those for which data limitations existed. We then classified each of the remaining MSAs as either a “cold” or “warm” destination according to the following temperature guidelines:

• Cold: ≤ 46 degrees F (50-year average December temperature)
• Warm: ≥ 57 degrees F (50-year average December temperature)

Next, we eliminated the MSAs with average winter temperatures of 47 to 56 degrees F, a range we designated as a “dead zone,” with the exception of the top 10 MSAs, which were assigned to the climate group with the nearest average winter temperature if they fell within this dead zone. We chose to include the top 10 MSAs on account of their popularity as travel destinations regardless of the season. In total, 69 MSAs were included in our final sample.

For the flight analysis, we collected data on Oct. 3 and used Dec. 24 as the departure date and Jan. 2 as the return date based on the following assumptions inspired by the findings of an American Express travel survey:

• December is the most popular month for winter-holiday travel; and
• The average American considers 10 days the ideal length for a vacation.

Finally, we determined each MSA’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

• Cost of Cheapest Flight: 30% (~5.40 Points)
• Duration of Cheapest Flight: 10% (~1.80 Points)
• Number of Connections on Cheapest Flight: 5% (~0.90 Points)
• Cost of Shortest Flight: 30% (~5.40 Points)
• Duration of Shortest Flight: 10% (~1.80 Points)
• Number of Connections on Shortest Flight: 5% (~0.90 Points)
• Share of Delayed Flights: 10% (~1.80 Points)

Note: For simplicity, we recorded only the longest leg of each flight. Given the often stark disparities in flight costs and travel times, we also chose the best deals for each metric within a $30 range or one-hour window.

For example, if the cheapest round-trip flight between Washington and Los Angeles would cost $700 but it only cost $25 more for the second-cheapest flight and would reduce the total travel time by two hours, we chose the latter.

Similarly, if the shortest round-trip flight between Washington and Los Angeles would take six hours each way but it was only 25 minutes longer for the second-shortest and would save the traveler $200, we again chose the latter.

• Cost of Three-Star Hotel Room: 25% (~4.50 Points)
• Average Price for Two-Person Meal: 25% (~4.50 Points)
• Taxi-Fare Cost: 25% (~4.50 Points)
• Cost of Living: 25% (~4.50 Points)

• Number of Attractions: 60% (~10.80 Points)
• Diversity of Attractions: 40% (~7.20 Points) Note: This metric was calculated using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, a commonly accepted measure of market concentration that also serves effectively as a general-purpose measure of diversity.

Note: The metrics below are based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.

1. Winter Weather: Total Points 18
2. Warm Weather: Total Points 18

1. Cold-Weather Activities
   • Proximity of Ski Slopes: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Ice-Skating Rinks per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Music Venues per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Food Festivals per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Restaurants per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Availability of Affordable, High-Quality Restaurants: 11.11% (~2.00 Points) Note: “High Quality” refers to a star rating of at least 4.5.
   • Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Shopping Centers per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)

 

2. Warm-Weather Activities
   • Restaurants per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Availability of Affordable, High-Quality Restaurants: 6.25% (~1.13 Points) Note: “High Quality” refers to a star rating of at least 4.5.
   • Amusement Parks per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Number of Amusement & Water Parks on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement & Water Parks" List: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Shopping Centers per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Music Venues per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Tennis Courts per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Public & Municipal Golf Courses per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Baseball Diamonds per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Basketball Hoops per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Bike-Rental Facilities per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Food Festivals per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Quality of Parks: 6.25% (~1.13 Points) Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking.

• Violent-Crime Rate: 28.57% (~2.86 Points)
• Property-Crime Rate: 28.57% (~2.86 Points)
• Perception of Safety (Safety walking alone during daylight/night): 14.29% (~1.43 Points) Note: These data are based on perceptions of visitors of this website in the past 3 years. If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high.
• DUI-Related Fatal Incidents per Capita: 14.29% (~1.43 Points)
• Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths: 14.29% (~1.43 Points)

  Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of September 29, 2026 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Numbeo, White Book of Ski Areas, GolfLink.com, Council for Community and Economic Research, Kayak.com, TripAdvisor, The Trust for Public Land, Yelp, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and WalletHub research.

• YouTube (for web embedding)
• Raw video files (for editing into clips)

The WalletHub Economic Index is based on a monthly survey that evaluates economic prospects based on 10 components of consumer sentiment. These components revolve around how people feel about their finances, purchasing plans and employment opportunities.

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

1. Main Findings
2. Detailed Findings
3. Tips
4. Methodology

• Year-over-year, consumers felt less confident about their financial outlook in October 2026, with the value of the overall index registered being over 5% lower than in October 2025.

• Increasing financial optimism: In October 2026, consumers’ optimism about their finances recorded a decrease (-5.58%) from the previous month. On the other hand, the level of optimism increased (+2.6%) over the past year.

Note: The higher the value, the more optimistic people feel about their finances.

• Decreasing stress: Consumers’ stress levels regarding money are lower (-0.5%) in October 2026 compared to the same period last year.

Note: The lower the value, the less stress people feel about money.

• Decrease in optimism: In October 2026, consumers’ optimism about whether their finances will improve in the next six months is lower (-1.6%) than it was last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more improvement people expect for their finances.

• Less new employment opportunities: The share of consumers who feel new employment opportunities are “abundant” is lower (-1.5%) in October 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more abundant people think employment opportunities are.

• Stronger sense of job security: People’s confidence in having a job in the next six months is higher (+13.1%) in October 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will have a job.

• Real estate popularity decline: Home-buying interest among consumers decreased by over 4% in October 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to buy a home.

• Decreasing interest in auto purchases: The share of consumers who expect to buy a car in the next six months is lower (-4.7%) in October 2026 compared to last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to buy a car.

• Large purchases are not a priority: In October 2026, consumers’ likelihood of making a large purchase in the next six months is over 6% lower than it was last year.

Note: The higher the value, the more likely people are to make a large purchase.

• Decreasing debt-reduction confidence: The share of consumers who expect to have less debt after the next six months decreased by almost 13% in October 2026 compared to last year. At the same time, this is the lowest index value recorded since December 2020.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will reduce their debt.

• Credit score insecurity: The share of consumers who expect their credit score to increase in the next six months is lower (-8.2%) in October 2026 compared to last year, registering the lowest level since December 2020.

Note: The higher the value, the more confident people are that they will increase their credit score.

• Budget carefully. Develop a comprehensive budget outlining your income, expenses and debts to make sure you fully understand your financial situation. Try to see what non-essential expenses you can cut out in order to put more money toward paying down debts or building your savings.
• Set up an emergency fund. Save a little money each month until you have enough to cover 3 to 6 months of expenses. This emergency fund acts like a financial safety net for unexpected costs.
• Pursue additional sources of income. Explore side jobs, part-time work, or freelance gigs to boost your income. You can even ask for a raise at your current job. Having multiple income sources not only makes you financially stronger but also boosts your confidence in making money.
• Educate yourself about personal finance. Take some time to understand more about personal finance by reading articles or taking classes. This will help you make better decisions and improve your financial situation.
• Try to save and invest a little bit every month. Having an emergency fund is a good first step. But once you’ve built that up, you should also start saving for big goals like homeownership, car purchases and retirement. Although you might not have a ton of money to put toward these goals, even small contributions add up over time. If you make it a habit, you'll be ready to save more when your financial situation gets better.

The WalletHub Economic Index is based on a nationally representative online survey that WalletHub conducts monthly. There has been a total of over 15,500 respondents between December 2020 and October 2026.

Wallet General
1. How do you feel about your finances right now? Pessimistic 1    2    3    4    5 Optimistic
2. How will your finances look 6 months from now? Much Worse 1    2    3    4    5 Much Better
3. How do you feel about money? Very Stressed 1    2    3    4    5 Not Stressed
Jobs
4. How confident are you that you will have a job in 6 months? Not confident 1    2    3    4    5 Very confident
5. How would you describe current employment opportunities? Limited 1    2    3    4    5 Abundant
Large Purchases
6. How likely are you to buy a home in the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likely
7. How likely are you to buy a new car in the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likely
8. How likely are you to make a large purchase within the next 6 months? Not at all likely 1    2    3    4    5 Very likely
Wallet Specific
9. Will you have more or less debt in 6 months? More debt 1    2    3    4    5 Less debt
10. Will your credit score be better or worse in 6 months? Worse 1    2    3    4    5 Better

Below are some critical statistics that highlight different facets of the personal loan market.

• Total outstanding personal loan debt: $281 billion
• YoY change: 9.34% increase
• Average debt per borrower: $11,694
• Delinquency rate (60+ days past-due): 3.81%

1. Personal Loan Interest Rates Over Time
2. Total Personal Loan Debt Over Time
3. Average Personal Loan Debt by State
4. Average Personal Loan Debt by Generation
5. Average Personal Loan Debt per Borrower
6. Number of Consumers with Personal Loans
7. Personal Loan Delinquency Rate
8. Reasons for Getting Personal Loans

Interest rates for 24-month personal loans decreased by 2.22% from Q3 2023 to Q3 2026.

Source: Federal Reserve, 2026

The interest rates credit unions charge on 36-month personal loans increased by 15.03% in 2025 compared to 2015, while bank interest rates increased by 17.53%.

Learn more about average personal loan interest rates.

Source: National credit Union Administration, 2025

Total outstanding personal loan debt increased by 9.34% in Q2 2026, compared to the same quarter the previous year.

Source: Transunion, 2026

Washington state recorded the highest average personal loan balance in 2025, nearly twice as much as the average for people in Washington, D.C., who owed the least.

Source: Experian, September 2025

While Gen Z saw the highest percentage increase in personal loan debt in 2023 compared to the previous year, baby boomers still held the highest average personal loan balance, owing 2.6 times more than Gen Zers.

Source: Experian, 2024 (data for Q3 2023)

The average debt per borrower has been on a steady incline since 2018, peaking at $11,829 in Q1 2024. This trend indicates that individuals are either borrowing more frequently or opting for larger loan amounts over the years.

Source: Transunion, 2026

The number of consumers with personal loans increased by 24.54% compared from Q2 2019 to Q2 2026.

Source: Transunion, 2026

The delinquency rate reached its highest point since 2018 in Q4 2022, at 4.14%, which is 0.33 percentage points higher than the 3.81% delinquency rate seen in Q2 2026.

Note: Data reflects the percentage of accounts past-due by 60+ days.

Source: Transunion, 2026

The most common uses for personal loans are debt consolidation and making major purchases.

Source: Experian, 2026 

• Scary-High Prices: More than 2 in 3 people think Halloween is too expensive.
• Spooky Budget Cuts: 71% of people say they’re planning to spend less on Halloween this year compared to last year.
• A Fear-Inspiring Economy: 88% of people are fearful of this economy.
• Haunting Inflation: More than 2 in 5 Americans say inflation is the scariest thing about the economy right now.
• Nightmare on Budget Street: 44% of Americans say their finances are a horror show.
• Fear the AI Reaper: Nearly 2 in 5 people are scared that AI will steal their job.
• Carving Out Room for Halloween Spending: 38% of Americans have a Halloween budget.

This report reflects the results of a nationally representative online survey of over 210 respondents.

After we collected all responses, we normalized the data by age, gender and income so the sample would reflect U.S. demographics.

Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

• YouTube (for web embedding)
• Raw video files (for editing into clips)
• Raw audio files (for editing into clips)

People love Halloween for a number of different reasons: candy, costumes, horror films, haunted houses, parties and more. If you’re one of the many Americans who count down to this holiday from the beginning of autumn, then you’ll want to make sure you’re in the most spook-tacular part of America on Oct. 31.

To determine the best locations for Halloween, WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 20 key metrics. They range from costume stores per capita to the crime rate to the share of potential trick-or-treat stops.

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

1. Main Findings
2. In-Depth Look at the Best Cities for Halloween
3. Ask the Experts
4. Methodology

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

% of Potential Trick-or-Treaters

Highest

• 1. Laredo, TX
• 2. Bakersfield, CA
• 3. Fresno, CA
• 4. Gilbert, AZ
• 5. Irving, TX

Lowest

• 96. Boston, MA
• 97. Pittsburgh, PA
• 98. Seattle, WA
• 99. San Francisco, CA
• 100. Scottsdale, AZ

Best City vs. Worst City: 2x Difference

Laredo, TX vs. Scottsdale, AZ

% of Potential Trick-or-Treat Stops

Highest

• 1. Hialeah, FL
• 2. Santa Ana, CA
• 3. Chesapeake, VA
• 4. Madison, WI
• 5. Gilbert, AZ

Lowest

• 96. St. Louis, MO
• 97. Baton Rouge, LA
• 98. Birmingham, AL
• 99. New Orleans, LA
• 100. Detroit, MI

Crime Rate

Lowest

• 1. Gilbert, AZ
• 2. Irvine, CA
• 3. Chandler, AZ
• 4. Plano, TX
• 5. Boise, ID

Highest

• 96. Kansas City, MO
• 97. Detroit, MI
• 98. St. Louis, MO
• 99. Oakland, CA
• 100. Memphis, TN

Costume Stores per Capita

Most

• T-1. Las Vegas, NV
• T-1. New York, NY
• T-1. New Orleans, LA
• T-1. Cincinnati, OH
• T-1. Atlanta, GA

Fewest

• 95. Jersey City, NJ
• 96. Newark, NJ
• 97. Aurora, CO
• 98. Oakland, CA
• 99. Washington, DC

Best City vs. Worst City: 38x Difference

Las Vegas, NV vs. Washington, DC

Candy & Chocolate Stores per Capita

Most

• T-1. New York, NY
• T-1. Honolulu, HI
• T-1. Las Vegas, NV
• 4. Chicago, IL
• 5. Pittsburgh, PA

Fewest

• 96. Garland, TX
• 97. Norfolk, VA
• 98. Winston-Salem, NC
• 99. Fremont, CA
• 100. Hialeah, FL

Best City vs. Worst City: 73x Difference

New York, NY vs. Hialeah, FL

Halloween Weather Forecast

Best

• 1. Lubbock, TX
• T-2. Portland, OR
• T-2. Colorado Springs, CO
• T-4. Cincinnati, OH
• T-4. Cleveland, OH

Worst

• 96. Henderson, NV
• 97. Scottsdale, AZ
• 98. Austin, TX
• 99. Mesa, AZ
• 100. Phoenix, AZ

Show More

New York City is the best place to be on Halloween, boasting the second-most Halloween costume shops and the most candy stores per capita. Its residents also search Google for “Halloween parties” and related terms more than people in any other city.

On top of that, New York has the highest population density in the country, and the third-highest walkability score. That means it’s easy to go trick-or-treating and get a lot of candy.

When it comes to other Halloween activities, New York also has the second-most movie theaters per capita and the 16th-most haunted houses, along with many amusement parks.

Los Angeles is the second-best city for Halloween, and it has a very high number of pumpkin patches and Halloween party supply stores per capita. It also has the seventh-most Halloween costume stores and 10th-most candy stores per capita, making it easy to grab all of the essentials for the holiday.

Los Angeles also has plenty of places to go trick-or-treating, with the 14th-highest population density in the nation. It has the 12th-highest walkability score, too.

Teens who have aged out of trick-or-treating can benefit from the fact that Los Angeles has the 11th-most amusement parks and the most movie theaters per capita. And for adults who are looking for a thrill, Los Angeles has the sixth-most haunted houses per capita.

Jersey City, NJ, is the third-best city for Halloween, in part because it has the second-highest population density and the fourth-highest walkability score in the country, which provides a perfect environment for trick-or-treating.

Safety is key on Halloween, too, and Jersey City has the 42nd-lowest violent crime rate and the 25th-lowest property crime rate in the U.S. It also has the 10th-lowest pedestrian fatality rate.

Finally, Jersey City has a very high number of movie theaters per capita, providing good opportunities to celebrate with a scary movie.

Halloween can be more than playing dress-up and hoarding sweet treats. It’s also a big holiday expense for many American households. We’ve asked a panel of experts to share their financial wisdom for keeping Halloween budgets in check as well as strategies for making sure young trick-or-treaters stay safe. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

1. How can the process of collecting and allocating Halloween candy be used to teach children about personal finance?
2. What are some strategies for celebrating Halloween without breaking the bank?
3. In evaluating the best cities for Halloween, what are the top five indicators?
4. What measures should local authorities take to ensure kids are safe when trick-or-treating?

Ask the Experts

Rob Weiner
Popular Culture Librarian Texas Tech University and editor of Captain America and the Struggle of the Superhero
Read More

Bart McLeroy
MS, MBA - Professor of Real Estate, Real Estate Discipline Lead - Collin College
Read More

Claire Stewart
Professor, Department of Hospitality Management, New York City College of Technology, CUNY
Read More

Jenna R. LaFreniere
Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies - Texas Tech University
Read More

Carissa Newton and Amanda Jayne Miller
Carissa Newton, Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing, and Amanda Jayne Miller, Professor of Sociology at the University of Indianapolis
Read More

Paula J. Tripp & Jillian Caldwell Carpenter
Paula J. Tripp, Ph.D. – Coordinator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Education Program; Teaching Professor & Jillian Caldwell Carpenter, Ph.D. – Teaching Assistant Professor & Undergraduate Program Coordinator; Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Education and Human Sciences - Oklahoma State University
Read More

More Experts

In order to determine the best Halloween destinations, WalletHub compared 100 of the most populated U.S. cities across three key dimensions: 1) Trick-or-Treater-Friendliness, 2) Halloween Fun and 3) Halloween Weather.

We evaluated those dimensions using 20 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for a Halloween celebration. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the “city proper” in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.

• Share of Potential Trick-or-Treaters: Double Weight (~11.43 Points) Note: This metric measures the share of the population aged 14 and younger.
• Share of Potential Trick-or-Treat Stops: Half Weight (~2.86 Points) Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units.
• Population Density: Double Weight (~11.43 Points)
• Walk Score: Double Weight (~11.43 Points) Note: “Walk Score” measures walkability and pedestrian friendliness by analyzing population density and road metrics such as block length and intersection density.
• Crime Rate: Double Weight (~11.43 Points) Note: This metric was used as a proxy for neighborhood security.
• Motor Vehicle Crash Related Pedestrian Fatality Rate: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
• Perception of Safety (Safety walking alone during daylight/night): Full Weight (~5.71 Points) Note: These data are based on perceptions of visitors of Numbeo website in the past 3 years. If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high.

• Google Search Index for “Halloween Parties”: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
• Halloween Costume Stores per Capita*: Double Weight (~5.22 Points)
• Halloween Party Supply Stores per Capita*: Double Weight (~5.22 Points)
• Candy & Chocolate Stores per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
• Haunted Houses per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
• Farms per Capita*: Half Weight (~1.30 Points)
• Pumpkin Patches per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
• Movie Theaters per Capita*: Half Weight (~1.30 Points) Note: This metric was used as a proxy for horror films timed with Halloween.
• Average Price per Movie Ticket: Half Weight (~1.30 Points)
• Bars & Dance Clubs per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
• Number of Amusement Parks: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)

• Halloween Temperature vs. Average Temperature: Full Weight (~5.00 Points) Note: This metric measures the difference between the average forecasted temperature for Halloween and the average normal temperature for this time period.
• Forecasted Halloween Precipitation: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of September 28, 2026 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Transportation - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Council for Community and Economic Research, AccuWeather, Walk Score, Yelp, Numbeo and Google Ads.

• YouTube (for web embedding)
• Raw video files (for editing into clips)

Interest Rates:

• The average interest rate for new credit card offers is 22.25%, as of Q3 2026, down from 22.76% in Q3 2025.
• The average interest rate for existing accounts being assessed finance charges is 22.36%, as of Q3 2026, down from 22.83% in Q3 2025.
• Interest rates on credit cards for people with excellent credit have decreased the most, down by 3.11% in the past year.

Initial Perks (0% APRs & Rewards Bonuses):

• The average cash back credit card’s initial rewards bonus increased by 12.93% in Q3 2026 compared to Q3 2025.
• The average initial bonus awarded in terms of miles/points decreased by 5.78% in Q3 2026 compared to the same period last year.
• In Q3 2026, credit card companies are emphasizing balance transfers over new-purchase financing, offering 0% intro rates on balance transfers for 13.7% longer.

Fees:

• The average credit card annual fee is $30.03 (12.26% higher vs. Q3 2025).
• The average balance transfer fee is 2.98% (1.32% lower vs. Q3 2025).
• The average foreign transaction fee on a credit card is 1.59% (0.63% higher vs. Q3 2025).
• The average cash advance fee on a credit card is 4.04% (0.50% higher vs. Q3 2025).

Complaints & Satisfaction:

• 8.50% fewer credit card complaints were filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau during Q3 2026 than the same quarter in 2025.
• The CFPB complaints for “Billing” increased to 25.37% in Q3 2026, up from 14.43% in Q3 2025.
• Discover had the most-satisfied credit card customers during the third quarter of 2026, earning a WalletHub Satisfaction Score of 92.67. Synchrony Bank cardholders were the least pleased, with the issuer earning a score of just 51.45.

Debt:

• Total credit card debt in April 2026 was 9% below the all-time record for the month and showed barely any difference compared to last year, after adjusting for inflation.
• Outstanding credit card debt as of Q1 2026 was actually 14% below the all-time record, after adjusting for inflation.

1. Interest Rates
2. Rewards
3. Fees
4. Credit Card Complaints & Satisfaction
5. Debt
6. Methodology

Sources: All the above metrics are based on WalletHub internal data of more than 1,500 credit card offers with the exception of the interest rates for accounts with finance charges where Federal Reserve data was used.

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: Federal Reserve

Back to Top

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Back to Top

Cash Back

Source: WalletHub

Miles or Points

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Back to Top

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: WalletHub

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and WalletHub

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and WalletHub

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and WalletHub

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and WalletHub

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and WalletHub

For more information, check out WalletHub's in-depth studies on credit card debt and total household debt.

Information for this report was collected from the websites of each institution which we then use to update our internal database of 1,500+ credit cards. Quarterly averages used for this report correspond to the last Friday business day of each quarter. "Latest" column from the tables is updated each Monday.

For the "customer satisfaction with large issuers" section, WalletHub evaluated consumer satisfaction for 15 of the largest credit card issuers based on total outstanding balances. Each issuer was scored on a 100-point scale according to the following criteria:

1. CFPB Complaints Per $1 Billion Outstanding (maximum of 60 points)
   • 60 Points: No complaints
   • 0 Points: 135+ complaints
2. Satisfactory Response Rate To CFPB Complaints (maximum of 20 points)
   • 20 Points: 100%
   • 0 Points: 50%
3. Average WalletHub Reviews (maximum of 20 points)
   • 20 Points: 5 stars
   • 0 Points: 2 stars or below

For statistics on store credit cards in particular, check out our latest Store Card Landscape Report.

Currently, credit card interest rates range from 5.75% to 36% for new applicants. The average interest rate among credit card offers is 22.42%, as of October 2026 which is 0.95% more than the prior month.

The interest rates on existing credit card accounts are a bit lower. For example, latest available August 2026 data shows that people with credit card debt currently pay interest at a 22.36% average annual rate. Below, you can learn more about current credit card interest rates, including how they vary by credit level.

1. Current Rates for New Offers
2. Current Rates for Existing Accounts
3. Credit Cards With the Best Rates

(Source: WalletHub)

See data for previous years’ credit card interest rates. (Sources: Federal Reserve, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, WalletHub.com)

For more information, check out WalletHub’s complete review of the best credit card rates.

The average credit card interest rate is 22.42% for new offers and 21.19% for existing accounts, according to WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report. The average interest rate among new credit card offers has increased by five percentage points since 2010.

2026's Best Credit Card Rates

1. Average Credit Card Interest Rates by Category
2. Average Credit Card APRs Over Time
3. Average Credit Card Interest Rates by Major Issuers
4. Average Intro Rates, Penalty Rate & Cash Advance Rate
5. Average 0% Intro APR Length Over Time
6. Average Cash Advance and Penalty APRs
7. 4 Tips for Getting a Better Credit Card APR

The main takeaway from this list is that the better your credit score is, the lower you can expect your credit card interest rate to be. And the vast majority of us have some room for credit improvement. You also get a sense for how average credit card interest rates fluctuate over time.

Below, you can take an even closer look at how APRs for existing accounts and new offers have changed in recent years. On that note, it’s important to point out that we will use “interest rate” and “APR” interchangeably in this article. APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, technically describes how much interest a balance will accrue over the course of a year. But interest is assessed daily, so a credit card’s interest rate is its APR divided by 365 (days in a year).

The average rates discussed above are so-called regular APRs. They apply to purchases and balance transfers under normal circumstances. But there are several other kinds of interest rates you should be aware of.

Here are the other average credit card interest rates:

• Purchase Intro APR: 0% for 11.68 months – Usually 0%, this promotional rate lasts for a limited amount of time before the regular APR kicks in.
• Balance Transfer Intro APR: 0% for 13 months – Usually 0% and sometimes offered for the same length of time as the purchase intro APR, this promo rate applies to balances transferred from another credit card or loan.
• Penalty APR: 27.38% – You’ll only see this interest rate if you fail to make your minimum payments.
• Cash Advance APR: 24.52% – You can use your credit card like a debit card to get money from an ATM. But interest will start accruing immediately, and you’ll be hit with a hefty fee.

1. Improve your credit. A better credit score can lead to much lower interest rates as well as higher odds of approval for 0% credit cards. WalletHub’s personalized credit analysis will tell you exactly what you need to do.
2. Comparison shop. It’s very easy to compare credit cards based on their regular and introductory interest rates, among other things. And if you know what your credit score is, you’ll have a sense of what rate you deserve.
3. Take advantage of 0% offers. Applying for a 0% credit card before making a big purchase that will take you months to pay off can save you a bundle. The same is true of transferring a balance with a high rate to a 0% balance transfer credit card. You just have to make a plan for repaying what you owe by the end of the 0% period. A credit card calculator can help with that.
4. Separate debt from everyday spending. Trying to use one credit card for everything isn’t the best idea. Don’t make purchases you can afford to pay in full by the due date with a credit card that you’re also using to carry a balance from month to month. That’s because those everyday purchases will accrue interest right along with your ongoing balance. But if you get another credit card solely for such everyday spending, interest won’t apply to it, as long as you pay your bill in full every month.

In conclusion, average credit card interest rates are a good tool to use when considering your credit card options. But it’s important to remember that the best credit card APR is one you never need to worry about. And you can get such a worry-free rate by always paying your bill in full. If you do that, your card’s APR won’t be a factor and you can focus on minimizing fees as well as maximizing rewards when picking a card.

If you’d like some even more in-depth statistical data about average credit card interest rates, WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report has everything you’re looking for.

1. What Are Credit Card Interest Rates?
2. What Is the APR on a Credit Card?
3. What Is a Good APR for a Credit Card?
4. How Does Credit Card Interest Work?
5. Types of Credit Card Interest Rates
6. Current Credit Card Interest Rates
7. Credit Card Interest Rates by Company
8. Best Low Interest Credit Cards
9. When Credit Card Interest Rates Can Change
10. How to Lower the APR on a Credit Card
11. How to Calculate the APR on a Credit Card
12. Ask The Experts

This content is not provided or commissioned by any issuer, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by an issuer.

Credit card interest rates tell you how much it will cost to borrow money from a credit card company, by carrying a balance from month to month. For example, if your interest rate is 20% and you carry a $500 balance, you would owe roughly $100 in interest after a year.

You can learn more from the FAQs below.

The APR on a credit card represents the annual cost of carrying a balance with that credit card. The APR, or annual percentage rate, takes into account both a card’s daily interest rate and daily compounding, which is when interest applies to both the principal balance and previously assessed interest.

Learn more about the difference between a credit card APR and a credit card interest rate.

A good APR for a credit card is below 13%, as that is roughly the average regular purchase APR among credit card offers for people with excellent credit. But the best credit card interest rate is one that never applies, which is achievable if you pay off everyday purchases in full each month and use 0% APR credit cards for financing.

Learn more about what currently qualifies as a good credit card APR.

2026's Best Low Interest Credit Cards

Credit card interest rates won’t apply if you pay your full statement balance by the due date each billing period. But if you don’t pay in full or you perform a transaction such as a cash advance, interest will begin to accrue daily.

The rate at which interest accrues each day is the APR divided by 365. You can then multiply that by your balance to find the amount of interest you owe per day. It’s not always quite that simple, though.

All credit card interest rates compound daily. That means that each day you owe interest both on your original balance and on any other interest you’ve already accrued. So the amount of interest you owe each day will slowly increase. That’s why it’s vital to always make a plan to pay off your debt.

You can find more information about how credit card rates work in the FAQs below.

1. Credit Card Purchase APR: The interest rate on things you buy with a credit card that applies when you don’t pay your statement balance in full every billing period.
2. Credit Card Balance Transfer APR: The interest rate you owe on balances you move from other credit cards or loans to your card. Typically, you get a low rate (even 0%) for a certain number of months, and then switch over to the regular APR.
3. Credit Card Introductory APR: This is a temporary promotional rate that some credit cards offer to new applicants for a certain period of time after account opening. It is lower than the normal APR, often 0%. The average credit card with a 0% introductory APR on purchases gives you more than 11.68 months without interest. Balance transfer intro APRs last 13.28 months on average.
4. Cash Advance APR: Withdrawing money from an ATM or bank branch using your credit card triggers this rate. The average credit card cash advance APR is 24.52%.
5. Penalty APR: This rate may apply after you miss a due date. And whether it applies to future purchases or an existing balance, too, depends on how far behind you get. The average penalty APR on a credit card is 27.38%.

You can learn more from our Q&A on the different types of credit card interest rates.

Below, you can find a breakdown of average credit card interest rates for key segments of the market, along with additional information about how credit card interest works and how to avoid it.

Note: The current averages shown reflect regular APRs for new credit card offers in October 2026, except for the average for all existing accounts, which is from May 2026 due to data limitations.

Learn more about the current credit card landscape, including average credit card interest rates.

You can also check out our historical credit card interest rates page if you’re interested in seeing how current rates compare to rates from the past.

*(V) stands for Variable Rates

For some added context and commentary, check out the Q&As listed below.

• Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Winner
• Citi Simplicity® Card: Low Intro Rate for Balance Transfers
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Low Intro Rate with Cash Rewards
• Discover it® Miles: Low Intro Rate with Travel Rewards
• CoreFirst Bank & Trust Visa Platinum Card: Low Interest Rate (Ongoing)
• First Federal Community Bank Business Zero+ Card: Business

You can check out our review of the best low interest credit cards to learn more.

There are four main cases in which your credit card interest rate might change. You have control over some of them, but others are totally out of your hands. Here are the cases in which they can change:

1. Your introductory rate expires. It’s great to get a low introductory APR, especially if it’s 0%. But these rates only last a certain number of months, usually 6-24, before the regular APR kicks in.
2. You have a variable rate. This means your rate is tied to an index, usually the prime rate that banks use to lend to their most creditworthy customers. As the market fluctuates and that rate changes, so will your card’s interest rate. You’ll know your card’s rate is variable if you see a (V) next to it. Most cards have variable rates, but some have fixed rates not tied to an index.
3. You trigger the penalty APR. The penalty APR is higher than your regular APR and can be applied when you miss a payment. It can apply to future purchases after. You can only regain your regular APR on existing balances by paying on time for six months. Your issuer may or may not ever lower your APR on new purchases.
4. Your issuer changes the rate. A credit card company can change your interest rate for future purchases at pretty much any time, for pretty much any reason. They’re required by law to give you 45-days’ notice, though.

The best way to get a lower credit card APR is to get a new credit card with a lower rate than your current card. If you already owe a balance on your current credit card, you could transfer that balance to a card with a low introductory balance transfer APR. Or, if you’re planning a big purchase, you could get a new card with a 0% intro APR on purchases.

Low interest credit cards usually require good or excellent credit for approval, however. If you have a lower score, you should focus on improving it before you apply.

Learn more about how to get a lower credit card interest rate.

A credit card’s APR will be listed on your online account and monthly statements, so you won’t have to calculate the rate itself. If you want to calculate the interest charges you may incur on a credit card, use a free credit card interest calculator.

You can also find more information in the following FAQs.

WalletHub invited a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following questions about credit card interest rates. You can see who they are and what advice they had to share below. Just click “Read More” under an expert’s name and title to check out their comments.

1. Do you have any tips for avoiding interest charges on credit cards? 2. How high could credit card interest rates get? 3. Why do store credit cards have such high interest rates?

Ask the Experts

Asghar Sabbaghi
Ph.D., Alyce DeCosta and Walter E. Heller Professor of Finance and Information Systems - Heller College of Business - Roosevelt University
Read More

Lynda Palmer
Practitioner Instructor of Marketing and Director of Education to Business (E2B) Program – Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School
Read More

H. Kent Baker
Ph.D., University Professor of Finance – American University, Kogod School of Business
Read More

Beth Hunsaker
MS, AFC®, Associate Director, Financial Wellness Center, Associate Instructor, Family and Consumer Studies, University of Utah
Read More

Eren Cifci
Assistant Professor of Finance, Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics - College of Business - Austin Peay State University
Read More

Tammie Lang
Ed.D. – Adjunct Faculty – Nebraska Wesleyan University
Read More

More Experts