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The most affordable cities to fly to in 2026

New report reveals the top U.S. cities with the lowest airfare in 2026

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Airplane at gate sunrise
Rocker Sta via Unsplash / Unsplash

Dollar Flight Club has released its annual Cheap Flight Forecast, revealing the 30 most affordable places to fly in 2026. The report ranks destinations using typical low prices, deal frequency, gateway accessibility, stability and overall traveler value to highlight cities where affordable airfare is consistently attainable rather than rare outliers.

According to the forecast, several major U.S. cities top the list for travelers looking to stretch their budget next year. Fort Lauderdale offers average fares around $95, making it one of the easiest warm weather getaways on the list. Orlando follows closely with fares near $105 and a steady stream of flight deals thanks to its major airport hubs. Chicago also stands out with prices averaging $94, giving travelers an inexpensive way into one of the country’s biggest metros.

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Other wallet friendly options include Pittsburgh, Dallas and Charlotte, all offering competitive pricing and strong connectivity for 2026 travel.

The most affordable domestic destinations

Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 12019 / Pixabay
  1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Average flight price of $95
  2. Orlando, Florida: Average flight price of $105
  3. Chicago, Illinois: Average flight price of $94
  4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Average flight price of $108
  5. Dallas, Texas: Average flight price of $129
  6. Charlotte, North Carolina: Average flight price of $92
  7. Detroit, Michigan: Average flight price of $119
  8. Knoxville, Tennessee: Average flight price of $104
  9. Pensacola, Florida: Average flight price of $108
  10. Des Moines, Iowa: Average flight price of $110
  11. Miami, Florida: Average flight price of $115
  12. Orlando Sanford, Florida: Average flight price of $95
  13. Phoenix, Arizona: Average flight price of $115
  14. Denver, Colorado: Average flight price of $110
  15. Cleveland, Ohio: Average flight price of $110

The most affordable international destinations

Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain Victor / Unsplash
  1. San Salvador, El Salvador: Average flight price of $198
  2. Madrid, Spain: Average flight price of $438
  3. Vancouver, Canada: Average flight price of $248
  4. Lisbon, Portugal: Average flight price of $491
  5. Medellín, Colombia: Average flight price of $254
  6. Guatemala City, Guatemala: Average flight price of $221
  7. Mérida, Mexico: Average flight price of $218
  8. Monterrey, Mexico: Average flight price of $221
  9. Oaxaca, Mexico: Average flight price of $255
  10. León/Guanajuato, Mexico: Average flight price of $241
  11. San José, Costa Rica: Average flight price of $239
  12. Liberia (Guanacaste), Costa Rica: Average flight price of $239
  13. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Average flight price of $261
  14. Calgary, Canada: Average flight price of $252
  15. Edmonton, Canada: Average flight price of $239
Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
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Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio
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