NEW YORK, NY — A new WalletHub ranking puts Atlanta at No. 1 among U.S. summer travel destinations for 2026, based on a comparison of 100 major metro areas. The analysis weighed travel costs, local prices, attractions, weather, activities and safety.
The report is aimed at travelers trying to balance fun with value. Cities that scored well were not only easy to visit, but also practical once people arrived.
Atlanta tops WalletHub’s 2026 summer travel list
Atlanta earned the highest overall score in the study. WalletHub highlighted strong marks for attractions, weather, activities and travel convenience.
The report also noted that short flights from major cities can be direct and cost as little as $317. Atlanta scored well for shopping centers, wellness centers, ice cream shops and swimming pools, all of which can matter during a hot summer trip.
Orlando, Austin and Washington also land in the top five
Orlando ranked No. 2 overall and finished first for activities. WalletHub pointed to water parks, boat tours, ice cream shops, coffee shops, shopping centers and spas as part of its strong showing. The city also placed 24th for local costs, with a lowest nightly rate of $49 for a three-star hotel room.
Austin took third place, helped by strong results for attractions and local costs, while Washington, D.C. came in fourth with solid marks for attractions, weather and activities. Urban Honolulu rounded out the top five, ranking first for travel costs and hassles and weather, but 99th for local costs.
Other cities in the top 20 offer lower-cost summer trips
Several cities in the middle of the ranking stood out for affordability. Oklahoma City ranked No. 13 overall and first for local costs, while Tulsa placed No. 15 and ranked second for local costs. Omaha came in at No. 17, helped by low local prices, and Raleigh ranked No. 18 with strong safety and weather scores.
Other notable entries included Philadelphia at No. 7, Tampa at No. 6, Salt Lake City at No. 8 and Cincinnati at No. 9. WalletHub’s full top 20 also included San Diego, New York City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Antonio, Richmond and Houston.
How WalletHub built the ranking
WalletHub said it compared the 100 largest U.S. metro areas across 41 indicators. The categories included travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities and safety.
The result is less about postcard scenery and more about where a summer trip is likely to be manageable on both the road and the budget. For travelers planning a 2026 getaway, the ranking offers a snapshot of which cities may deliver the best mix of comfort, convenience and value.
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