Airbnb vs hotels: a new study reveals the 10 cities worldwide where hotels are cheaper

Trip Advisor

This floating city in Italy is one of 10 where hotels were found to be cheaper than Airbnbs, on average.

• In many top tourist destinations, Airbnb can be an affordable option for groups, or to trade a high-priced hotel for a hip apartment. That is, depending where you go.
• Compare The Market released a study analyzing the average nightly rates of Airbnbs and hotels in 52 popular cities. The results are quite surprising.
• We converted the report's British prices to U.S. dollars, and selected top-reviewed properties on Trip Advisor, Booking, Expedia, and other platforms in each city to show what your money can buy.

When I plan to travel, the big decision is usually hotel or Airbnb. I often choose based on a few key factors, as certain destinations or types of trips lend themselves best to one.

If I'm planning an outdoorsy weekend upstate for example, I'm likely to go with an Airbnb where I can have an elevated travel experience, rather than crash in a chain motel alongside the highway. However when it's time to put up an OOO and lounge poolside, I'm hotel all the way.

On other occasions, and especially in cities, it can feel like a toss-up. Do I want to live like a local in a hip apartment, or indulge in a swanky hotel? For me, the decision typically comes down to price.

Fortunately, a new report from Compare The Market might help make the decision clearer. The British company known for comparing insurance, credit cards, and more, analyzed average nightly rates for both hotels and Airbnbs in 52 popular urban destinations. On average, they found a hotel to be cheaper in just 10 of the 52 cities examined.

Their full list of hotel and Airbnb prices was released in GBP, or, British pound sterling, the official currency of the United Kingdom. I've converted those prices to U.S. dollars via the popular tool XE Currency Converter to help inform your booking choices worldwide.

Keep reading to find out the 10 cities where a hotel is cheaper than Airbnb, including top-reviewed properties you should consider the next time you visit.

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