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Sure, it’d be swell to be a finance guy and expense all sorts of 3lb steaks and lobster tails on your corporate card all the time. Actually, it’d be awful to be a finance guy. But the food must be nice. For the rest of us, though, price matters just as much as taste. And thankfully, somebody’s figured out where those two interests intersect to name the best cities for cheap eats in America.
WalletHub recently published a list of the best US foodie cities for those who can’t throw their dollars in the air or fill a jacuzzi with champagne. The list took the food scenes of the top 150 most populated cities in the US and weighed price against quality, considering the number of restaurants per capita and cost of groceries. Cities were then given a score that ranged from 0 to 100, with up to 30 points for affordability and 70 for diversity, accessibility, and quality.
Portland grabbed the no. 1 spot, scoring high in all categories. All those hipsters really know what they’re doing when it comes to consumables — and we’re not just talking about newly legal marijuana. Despite the abundance of pricey theme parks, Orlando, Florida came in second, while no. 3 offered a surprise. Even though the city had a low affordability score, San Francisco made up for it in diversity, accessibility, and quality. Apparently, SF is worth it if you’re willing to splurge.
Meanwhile, coastal food giants New York (30) and Los Angeles (35) didn’t even sniff the top 10. Who knew that Richmond, VA (11) and Buffalo, NY (15) were better for your buck?
Take a look at the top 10 best cities for quality, cheap eats. Then the worst cities, too.
The Best
10. Miami, FL
9. Rochester, NY
8. Tampa, FL
7. Santa Rosa, CA
6. Cincinnati, OH
5. Seattle, WA
4. Oakland, CA
3. San Francisco, CA
2. Orlando, FL
1. Portland, OR
The Worst
10. Fayetteville, NC
9. Ontario, CA
8. Columbus, GA
7. Montgomery, AL
6. Shreveport, LA
5. Peoria, AZ
4. Jackson, MS
3. Fontana, CA
2. North Las Vegas, NV
1. Moreno Valley, CA
Source: Thrillist
