WalletHub ranks best and worst cities for 4th of July as costs rise for Americans

WalletHub has released its 2026 report on the best and worst places to celebrate the Fourth of July, as well as survey findings showing that 77% of Americans believe rising costs threaten their independence. The report, released June 24, compares the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 18 metrics, including average beer and wine prices, fireworks show duration, and weather forecasts.

Las Vegas, Nevada, tops the list as the best city for Fourth of July celebrations, followed by New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. Chicago ranks fifteenth. The analysis highlights how cities balance cost and entertainment options for the holiday. "The 4th of July is one of the most beloved holidays in America, allowing many of us to not only celebrate our independence but also get a day off of work and gather together with family and friends. The best cities for the holiday help you make the most of your day, with affordable food options, good weather, fun recreation choices and long, spectacular fireworks shows," according to Diana Polk of WalletHub.

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said, "Las Vegas is the best city for 4th of July celebrations, in part because there’s no shortage of things to do, as the city ranks first in entertainment and recreational facilities and has the fifth-most party supply stores per capita. In addition, people tend to stay safe after drinking, as the city has one of the lowest shares of fatal crashes due to intoxicated driving."

WalletHub’s 4th of July Facts & Figures report shows Americans plan to spend $8.9 billion on food and over $4 billion on beer and wine for the holiday. An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed, and $2.8 billion is expected to be spent on fireworks. Travel is also expected to reach a record, with 72.2 million people projected to travel more than 50 miles from home, a 2.4% increase over the previous year, according to WalletHub.

Survey findings indicate that 76% of Americans say rising federal debt threatens independence, and nearly three in five say high gas prices are affecting their holiday plans. Fifty-seven percent plan to spend less this year than last, and 47% say artificial intelligence threatens their wallets. Nearly nine in ten Americans believe the founding fathers would be appalled by the current level of government debt, according to WalletHub.

For the full city rankings, facts, and survey results, WalletHub has made detailed reports and infographics available on its website.