Travellers hoping for a cheap and cheerful break may want to avoid one of the US’s most popular destinations – Miami.
The sunny spot in Florida just placed last in the latest Which? world city survey, which asked more than 1,500 UK tourists to rate their experiences of cities outside of Europe over the past year.
Almost 2,500 destinations were assessed across seven categories, including the quality of cultural attractions, accommodation, and food and drink.
And, of the 35 listed, Miami came in last, with an overall customer score of 56% – a stark contrast to Cape Town, which topped the list with an impressive 91%.
Visitors dismissed it as ‘overrated’, and the destination scored pretty dismally across all categories, finishing up with two stars for food and drink, accommodation, ease of getting around and lack of crowds.
Meanwhile, Miami’s cultural attractions and value for money were rated even lower, earning just one star each. One particularly unimpressed Which? member even described it as a ‘total rip off’.
The city’s only saving grace? Its shopping options, which earned a three-star rating – the highest of all categories.
Is Miami really that expensive?
Many criticised the city’s high prices, but it’s certainly possible to keep costs down on a trip to South Florida.
According to budgetyourtrip.com, travellers spend between $106 (£85) and $597 (£482) per day in Miami, so it all depends on how extravagant you wish to be.
A one-week trip to the city – including accommodation, food, local transportation and sightseeing – usually costs $1,806 (£1,458) for one person and $3,612 (£2,916) for two people.
Prices for a one-night stay at a three-star hotel on Booking.com start at £76.44 for one night, based on two adults sharing one room. However, if you’re looking for centrally-located hotels, you can expect to pay over £100 per night.
The cost of food in Miami can also vary depending on what you eat. Street food is a more affordable option costing around $8-15 (£6-12), while meals at mid-range restaurants typically range between $15-35 (£12-28) per person.
The price of beer varies depending on the venue too. In casual bars, a domestic beer typically costs between $5-8 (£4-9), while craft beers can set you back between $7-12 (£5-£9.60) range between $5-15 (£4-12).
Cocktails tend to be pricier, ranging between $12-$20 (£9-16) at casual bars. While in high-end venues such as rooftop bars prices can climb to $25-30 (£20-£24).
Metro’s Alice Giddings visited the Floridian city last year in search of the best (and cheapest) experiences she could find, and ventured to the TikTok famous La LeGGenda Pizzeria for ‘the best pizza in the world’.
The ‘unbelievably tasty’ Salame & Bell Peppers Pizza cost around $23 (£18.50). And while it may not be cheap as such, according to Alice, ‘it was worth every penny’.
And when it comes to purse-friendly retail therapy, she says: ‘For an amazing boutique to shop in that won’t break the bank, head to the Wynwood Shop. From artwork to jewellery and clothing to sunnies, the cost of the items will set you back just $20, rather than the hundreds I got used to seeing on price tags.’
For getting around, Alice recommends avoiding Ubers, which can quickly add up, commenting: ‘The Metrorail and Metrobus have a £4.44 ($5.65) daily fare cap, no matter how many times you ride.’
Known for its white-sand beaches, Art Deco architecture, vibrant nightlife scene and year-round sunshine, Miami is undoubtedly an attractive destination to tourists. Yet it also has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the US.
A recent study by real estate company Redfin declared it the second most unaffordable city in America after Providence in Rhode Island.
According to Redfin, an annual income of $84,920 (£68,450) is required to pay the average rent price of $2,373 (£1,912) per month, yet the estimated median income in the city last year was $57,157 (£46,070), nearly 40% lower.
Sky-high rent prices and the cost of living are just a few reasons why Miami is often criticised, according to a recent Reddit thread.
One user, AdviceHistorical7057, asked in the Miami subreddit: ‘Why does everyone hate it here?’ to which WrongLeadership5351 replied: ‘The cost to living ratio is terrible.’
Another, MyCatHasCats, commented: ‘There are a million people, traffic is the worst and houses are unaffordable $2,800 for a 1,000 sqft 3 bedroom apartment is absolutely bonkers.’
‘For me, it’s the s*** pay, insane cost of living and perpetual traffic,’ Keepinitoldskool said, while another added: ‘The drivers are horrible, the people are shallow and superficial, and everything is expensive as hell.’
In another Reddit thread, one user asked: ‘Does anyone have any positive experiences living in Miami?’
While the question prompted varied responses, people continued to cite its unaffordability as a major downside.
‘Nope. The worst city in the US,’ wrote No_Target7407. ‘Unless you enjoy constant noise, highly rude people, materialism, vanity, insane traffic and people who think they’re superior.’
Another, Freelennial, commented: ‘I lived in Miami for a year and loved the sunshine, beaches, nightlife and food options. However, the awful people, bad service, classism, superficiality and horrible job made it hard for me to give it a glowing review.’
Why do people love Miami?
Despite its pricey reputation and low Which? scores, the Magic City is still a dream destination for many. Miami-born Jules Castro claims there’s much more on offer than you might think.
The 26-year-old, who moved to the UK in 2023, tells Metro: ‘Tourists who come to Miami only for Instagram stories and mainstream clubs are missing the magic of the city entirely. Miami’s multicultural community means that the arts and design scene is unlike anywhere else.
‘Local artists are always pushing forward inclusivity in a way that invites tourists to see the heart of the city off the beaten path, whether in North Beach or Little Haiti.
‘The food scene is amazingly international, and the seafood is incredibly fresh – new restaurants like Tam Tam and Four show the city at its best.’
There are plenty of other reasons to keep Miami on your bucket list too:
Year-round sunshine – With warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, Miami’s tropical climate draws travellers in year-round. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 18°C.
Vibrant Nightlife – Miami has long been a famous party destination, with the city’s nightlife expanding underground during the 1920s Prohibition era through speakeasies and secret bars. Today, Miami is a world-famous party spot renowned for buzzing rooftop lounges, rooftop bars and clubs.
Stunning architecture – Miami Beach has the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, with over 800 preserved structures built between the 1920s and 1940s. A walk along Ocean Drive ‘feels like stepping into a movie’, according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Culture – Despite scoring just two stars for its cultural attractions, Miami is a melting pot of cultures, heavily influenced by Latin American and Caribbean influences. Little Havana is the city’s ‘Cuban heart’, offering colourful street art, cafecitos, cigars and salsa everywhere you turn. The Wynwood neighbourhood, meanwhile, is home to countless art galleries, eclectic bars and open-air street art installations.
LGBTQ+ friendly – Miami is often referred to as a ‘gay mecca’, with the city attracting more than 1 million LGBTQ+ visitors. The city has a long history of LGBTQ+ nightlife too, dating as far back as the 1930s, and you can find gay bars and drag shows all over town.
Beaches – Miami’s beaches are world-famous, all white sand and crystal-clear waters. From the renowned South Beach with its world-famous art deco background to the more hidden Virginia Key Beach – there’s plenty to explore.
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