This Westchester City Is Ranked The Worst In The Nation For A 'Staycation'

YONKERS, NY — Yonkers is a great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to have a "staycation" there, according to a just-released study from WalletHub.

The Hudson River town ranks dead last among U.S. cities to enjoy a vacation without leaving home.

Around 82 percent of Americans plan to travel this summer, but because inflation may force people to cut back on their expenses and take a less extravagant trip, the WalletHub analysts looked at where some of the best places to take a break from it all at home are.

To determine the best places for a fun-filled, yet wallet-friendly, staycation, the personal finance company compared more than 180 cities across 41 key metrics. WalletHub looked at everything from parks per capita to restaurant meal costs.

Yonkers ranked 182 among the cities surveyed.

Best Cities for Staycations

1. Cincinnati, OH

2. Orlando, FL

3. Las Vegas, NV

4. Honolulu, HI

Worst Cities for Staycations

179. Chula Vista, CA

180. Pearl City, HI

181. Fremont, CA

182. Yonkers, NY

"It's fun to visit an exotic location on vacation, but during rougher economic times, a staycation can save you a lot of money while being just as memorable," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said. "Not only do you avoid the cost of overnight accommodations and minimize travel costs, but you can also discover all kinds of fun activities close to home that you might not have tried out otherwise. Plus, you'll feel more rested if you spend less time in transit and more time sleeping in your own bed."

It won't come as a surprise to Westchester residents that staying close to home isn't as budget-friendly as it is for those where the cost of living is lower.

In order to determine the best staycation spots, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities, including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key aspects: recreation, food & entertainment, and rest & relaxation.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get the most from your staycation, whether you live near the beaches of Miami, or the Yonkers waterfront.

"There is a wealth of experiences in a local community which are non-typical tourist attractions and may not be listed in typical tourist marketing materials," Patty Janes, Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University, explained. "From library programs to parks and recreation departments events, there are local organizations providing facility, programs, and services to meet the needs that tourists seek. Generate a list of all the places in the local community who provide opportunities to do what tourists seek. Often these locations provide low to no cost experiences for people to enjoy."

You can find the full WalletHub report and rankings here. The interactive map below offers some insights on where the grass is greener.