Which US cities make self-care affordable—and which ones don’t?
- Replies 0
Self-care can mean different things for different people, but most agree it’s essential.
It might be a haircut, a yoga class, a night at the movies, or simply a chance to slow down and recharge.
These small moments help maintain balance and well-being, especially as life gets busier and more demanding with age.
But here’s the tricky part: the cost of these simple pleasures can vary widely depending on where you live.
A new report shows that in some cities, self-care is surprisingly budget-friendly—while in others, the same activities come with a hefty price tag.
A recent study by Hers analyzed prices in 86 of America’s largest cities, ranking them from most to least affordable.
Researchers compared the cost of five everyday self-care services:
The results highlighted major differences, showing that geography plays a big role in how affordable it is to treat yourself.
Here are the top cities where self-care costs the least:
The South and Midwest dominate the list, making it easier for residents to manage self-care without overspending.
At the other end of the spectrum, Boston tops the list as the most expensive city for self-care, followed by Seattle and Los Angeles.
Surprisingly, New York City ranks only 74th, showing that not all big coastal cities are the costliest when it comes to everyday luxuries.
Haircuts
Beauty salons
Dry cleaning
Movie tickets
Yoga classes
The study also examined self-care costs compared with average local incomes.
Cities like San Jose and San Francisco are expensive but rank better when income is factored in, while places like Miami and Los Angeles stretch residents’ wallets further.
Best cities for self-care as a portion of income
Worst cities for self-care as a portion of income
Not everyone can move to a more affordable city, but there are ways to make self-care sustainable anywhere:
Self-care is an important part of staying healthy and balanced, but costs differ dramatically depending on where you live.
While some cities make it easier to afford, there are still plenty of ways to care for yourself on a budget no matter your location.
Small, consistent steps often make the biggest impact.
Read next:
Have you found ways to keep self-care affordable in your city? What small rituals or routines help you feel restored without overspending?
It might be a haircut, a yoga class, a night at the movies, or simply a chance to slow down and recharge.
These small moments help maintain balance and well-being, especially as life gets busier and more demanding with age.
But here’s the tricky part: the cost of these simple pleasures can vary widely depending on where you live.
A new report shows that in some cities, self-care is surprisingly budget-friendly—while in others, the same activities come with a hefty price tag.
Simple self-care routines may be affordable in some places and expensive in others. Image Source: Pexels / T Leish.
The self-care price tag: a coast-to-coast comparison
A recent study by Hers analyzed prices in 86 of America’s largest cities, ranking them from most to least affordable.
Researchers compared the cost of five everyday self-care services:
- A man’s barbershop haircut (no styling)
- A woman’s shampoo, cut, and blow-dry
- Dry cleaning for a two-piece suit
- A first-run, evening movie ticket
- A one-hour drop-in yoga class
The results highlighted major differences, showing that geography plays a big role in how affordable it is to treat yourself.
Also read: Self-Care for Seniors: 11 Meaningful Ways to Nourish Your Mind, Body & Spirit
The 10 most affordable cities for self-care
Here are the top cities where self-care costs the least:
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- McAllen, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Augusta, Georgia
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Omaha, Nebraska
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama (tied)
The South and Midwest dominate the list, making it easier for residents to manage self-care without overspending.
Also read: Transform your day in 60 seconds with these 14 quick self-care tips!
Where self-care costs the most
At the other end of the spectrum, Boston tops the list as the most expensive city for self-care, followed by Seattle and Los Angeles.
Surprisingly, New York City ranks only 74th, showing that not all big coastal cities are the costliest when it comes to everyday luxuries.
A closer look: what’s draining—or padding—your wallet?
Haircuts
- Cheapest: Las Vegas, NV ($16.67), Oklahoma City, OK ($18.40), Knoxville, TN ($18.60)
- Most Expensive: Seattle, WA ($52.20), Boston, MA ($50.20), Chicago, IL ($48.33)
Beauty salons
- Cheapest: Augusta, GA ($32.50), Omaha, NE ($34.17), Kansas City, MO ($36.50)
- Most Expensive: Los Angeles, CA ($98), Miami, FL ($89.14), Seattle, WA ($88)
Dry cleaning
- Cheapest: Memphis, TN ($9.83), Baltimore, MD ($10.50), Philadelphia, PA ($11.49)
- Most Expensive: Sacramento, CA ($28.95), Bakersfield, CA ($28.33), Honolulu, HI ($25.98)
Movie tickets
- Cheapest: Tulsa, OK ($9.35), Winston-Salem, NC ($9.75), Des Moines, IA ($11.01)
- Most Expensive: New York City, NY ($21.21), Los Angeles, CA ($19.74), Honolulu, HI ($19.03)
Yoga classes
- Cheapest: Charlotte, NC ($12), Birmingham, AL & Buffalo, NY ($14.40), Wichita, KS ($14.75)
- Most Expensive: San Jose, CA ($35), New York City, NY ($31.40), Honolulu, HI ($31.21)
Yoga classes are among the self-care activities whose cost can vary greatly depending on the city. Image Source: Pexels / Yan Krukau.
Also read: Compassionate ways to care for an aging parent with mental health struggles
Self-care vs. salary: who’s really winning?
The study also examined self-care costs compared with average local incomes.
Cities like San Jose and San Francisco are expensive but rank better when income is factored in, while places like Miami and Los Angeles stretch residents’ wallets further.
Best cities for self-care as a portion of income
- Charlotte, NC
- San Jose, CA
- Kansas City, MO
- Omaha, NE
- Augusta, GA
- Denver, CO
- San Francisco, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Cleveland, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
Worst cities for self-care as a portion of income
- Miami, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Madison, WI
- San Antonio, TX
- Cape Coral, FL
- Little Rock, AR
- Harrisburg, PA
- Chicago, IL
- Honolulu, HI
Also read: Looking beyond assisted living? Here are 8 care alternatives worth exploring
How to make self-care work—no matter where you live
Not everyone can move to a more affordable city, but there are ways to make self-care sustainable anywhere:
- Assess your needs holistically — emotional, physical, spiritual, and social well-being count just as much as pampering.
- Get creative with your routine — try at-home spa days, free online yoga classes, or a simple digital break.
- Build consistency, not complexity — choose activities you enjoy and can maintain.
- Look for local deals and senior discounts — many theaters, salons, and fitness studios offer them.
- Share and swap — trade skills, host group activities, or form a self-care circle with friends.
Self-care is an important part of staying healthy and balanced, but costs differ dramatically depending on where you live.
While some cities make it easier to afford, there are still plenty of ways to care for yourself on a budget no matter your location.
Small, consistent steps often make the biggest impact.
Read next:
- Talking to yourself isn’t weird—it might actually change your life
- A major shift in treatment coverage is set to impact five states—are you prepared?
- A guide to filtering out disturbing content from your social feeds
Have you found ways to keep self-care affordable in your city? What small rituals or routines help you feel restored without overspending?
