How much does a 1-star hotel cost in the USA? The answer depends on which booking dataset you use, as well as your dates and destination. Some 1-star properties cost more than higher-rated hotels, so a star label alone will not tell you what to budget.
Quick Answer
A U.S. sample of 2,314 one-star properties reports a $208 average and $156 median nightly price, with listings from $57. These are before taxes and fees, not guaranteed booking quotes. Other booking datasets produce much lower averages, so use these figures as comparison points and price your exact stay.
Last checked: October 31, 2026. Hotel-price samples, industry figures, and FTC fee rules were checked against their cited sources.
Key Takeaways
- One national property sample shows a $208 average and $156 median; it does not represent every bookable room.
- Another booking platform reports a much lower average, showing why sample methods matter.
- A one-star label is not a federal grade and does not guarantee Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, or a private bathroom.
- Compare the total price, cancellation policy, deposit, neighborhood, and recent reviews before booking.
- Compare one-star and two-star rooms. A better-rated property can cost less within the same dates and area.
What Is the Average Cost of a 1-Star Hotel in the USA for 2026?
Checked October 31, 2026, the Budget Your Trip analysis of 2,314 U.S. 1-star properties gives a $208 average and $156 median. The same page advertises options from about $57. Its rates exclude taxes and fees and vary by travel date.
The $156 median means half the sampled properties fall at or below that figure and half at or above it. The $208 arithmetic average is higher because costly properties have greater influence on the mean. Neither figure is a live quote for your city.
Note: Full-year 2026 is not complete, and no federal agency publishes an official nationwide one-star room-price average. These figures describe particular datasets, not every room sold or the amount you are guaranteed to pay.
| Pricing measure | Current figure | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1-star sample average | $208 | Mean listed property price in Budget Your Trip’s sample, not your booking quote. |
| 1-star sample median | $156 | Middle price in that sample, less sensitive to the most costly listings. |
| Lowest displayed starting price | From $57 | A changing advertised starting price, not available for all places or dates. |
| Priceline 1-star average (different method) | About $46 when checked | Booking-history estimates adjusted to recent searches; changes regularly. |
| 2025 U.S. all-hotel ADR | $160.54 | Industry context covering all hotel classes, not a 1-star price. |
| May 2026 U.S. all-hotel ADR | $168.51 | A single-month all-hotel benchmark, not a full-year figure. |
| August 2026 U.S. all-hotel ADR | $161.78 | Recent industry-wide monthly average; not specific to one-star hotels. |
A typical price in one dataset is not the same as a typical bookable rate for your travel dates.
A useful cross-check is Priceline’s U.S. hotel-price chart, which showed an approximately $46 one-star average when checked. Priceline models booking prices paid by customers, adjusted to recent searches; Budget Your Trip analyzes listed properties. Their star categories, samples, and methods differ. Do not average those two numbers together.
For industry context, CoStar reported a $160.54 U.S. average daily rate (ADR) for all hotels in 2025. Its May 2026 ADR was $168.51, and its August 2026 ADR was $161.78. ADR measures room revenue per occupied room. Neither CoStar figure is a one-star hotel average.
What Affects 1-Star Hotel Prices?
The star label is only one part of the price. Two basic hotels with similar rooms can have very different rates because of their location, dates, policies, and included services.
- Exact travel dates: Weekends, holidays, school breaks, conventions, concerts, sports events, and festivals can change rates quickly.
- Neighborhood: Downtown, airport, beach, theme-park, university, and highway locations have different demand patterns.
- Room and occupancy: A room for two adults may cost more than a single-occupancy rate. Extra-person and child policies vary.
- Cancellation terms: A refundable room commonly costs more than a prepaid, nonrefundable rate.
- Parking and transportation: A cheaper suburban room may cost more overall if it requires paid parking, rideshares, or a rental car.
- Bathroom and room type: Some low-cost listings have shared bathrooms, smaller rooms, exterior corridors, or limited reception hours.
- Taxes and optional services: Local lodging taxes, pet charges, breakfast, early check-in, and other optional services can increase the final bill.
- Rating source: One booking platform may classify a property differently from another.
Pro Tip: Search with the same dates, number of guests, room type, and cancellation terms on every website. Comparing a prepaid single room with a refundable double room will produce a misleading price comparison.
Comparing 1-Star Hotel Prices by State
State comparisons can reveal broad differences, but they require caution. Some states have hundreds of sampled 1-star listings, while others have fewer than ten. A state containing an expensive resort area may also have a surprisingly high average even when cheaper highway motels are available elsewhere.
Regional Price Differences
The table uses state pages from Budget Your Trip, checked October 31, 2026. These are sampled nightly prices before taxes and fees. Compare medians first, then note how many properties each state includes; small samples can mislead.
| State | Sample | Average | Median | Listings from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 259 | $196 | $137 | $61 |
| New York | 69 | $246 | $192 | $74 |
| Texas | 165 | $182 | $132 | $51 |
| Florida | 272 | $263 | $241 | $60 |
| Nevada | 14 | $98 | $67 | $39 |
| South Carolina | 39 | $244 | $211 | $68 |
California shows why the median matters: its $196 average is well above its $137 median. Florida’s 272-property sample has a $241 median, versus Nevada’s $67 median across just 14 properties. Such gaps reflect different mixes of properties; Nevada’s small sample is especially fragile. These figures are state samples, not promises for Miami, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles.
Popular States for Travelers
A state name alone is not enough to predict the cost. Beach towns in Florida, ski areas in Colorado, resort communities in South Carolina, and major cities in California can cost much more than inland or highway locations in the same state.
When comparing popular destinations, search the actual city or neighborhood for your exact dates. Then check whether a lower room price creates additional transportation, parking, or meal costs.
Finding Cheap 1-Star Hotels in Major Cities
Major-city prices change too quickly for a permanent list of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, or Los Angeles averages to remain reliable. A convention, holiday weekend, sports event, or sold-out concert can change the available rate within hours.
Comparison of Location Options
Compare at least three location types:
- City center: Usually closer to attractions and transit, but often more expensive.
- Outer neighborhood: May offer a lower rate while retaining public-transit access.
- Airport or highway area: Can be cheaper, but noise, parking, shuttle hours, and travel time may reduce the value.
For example, a $110 room plus $50 a day for parking and travel totals $160 before taxes. A $145 room near your plans would be cheaper under those assumptions, saving $15 per day. Confirm whether any added charges are per night, per stay, or per vehicle.
Budget-Friendly Booking Tips
- Search exact dates: Do not rely on a general city average.
- Use a map: Check the hotel’s distance from public transit, attractions, and safe late-night transportation.
- Compare matching rate plans: Keep cancellation terms, occupancy, bed type, and breakfast options the same.
- Book a refundable option when practical: Recheck the price before the free-cancellation deadline.
- Compare direct and third-party totals: A direct rate is not automatically cheaper, but it may offer better change support.
- Read recent low and mid-range reviews: They often reveal recurring problems that the overall score hides.
Essential Features of a 1-Star Hotel Stay
A 1-star label generally suggests basic lodging with limited facilities, but it does not create a universal amenity standard. AAA uses an inspected Diamond program. Forbes Travel Guide uses a separate, luxury-focused Star Rating system, not the same one-star-to-five-star filter on hotel sites. Booking platforms may apply their own hotel-class labels.
Verify the following before paying:
| Feature | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | Private or shared, shower or tub, and whether toiletries are supplied. |
| Wi-Fi | Whether it is free, available in rooms, and suitable for your needs. |
| Parking | Daily cost, security, vehicle-size limits, and in-and-out privileges. |
| Breakfast | Included, paid, limited to certain rates, or unavailable. |
| Housekeeping | Daily, by request, or only between longer stays. |
| Reception | Whether the front desk is open 24 hours and how late arrivals are handled. |
| Climate control | Air conditioning, heating, and whether controls are inside the room. |
| Accessibility | Accessible entrance, elevator, bathroom setup, and confirmed room assignment. |
Evaluating the Value of Your 1-Star Hotel Experience
Value depends on whether the room meets your needs, not just the advertised price. A clean basic room near your plans may beat a cheaper hotel with costly parking, poor transit, or strict cancellation terms. The real comparison is the same room type, same dates, and full cost of the stay.
Essential Amenities Offered
Before booking, review the room description and recent guest photos for:
- Bed size and the number of beds
- Private or shared bathroom
- Air conditioning or heating
- Wi-Fi availability
- Parking charges
- Reception and check-in hours
- Elevator access
- Smoking or nonsmoking status
- Pet rules and pet charges
- Accessibility features
Do not assume that breakfast, daily housekeeping, a refrigerator, a microwave, or free parking is included merely because another 1-star property offers it.
Cost vs. Quality Comparison
Calculate the usable cost of the stay with this simple approach:
Trip cost = room price including mandatory hotel charges + applicable taxes + optional extras you select + parking and local transportation.
An incidental deposit or refundable card hold is usually not a final expense, but it can restrict your available funds. Confirm the amount, payment method, refund rules, and release process. For multiple nights, compare your full-stay total, not only one nightly price.
Warning: A very low advertised rate may be prepaid and nonrefundable. Confirm the total, cancellation deadline, deposit, incidental hold, and minimum check-in age before entering payment details.
Seasonal Variations: When to Book for the Best Rates
There is no nationwide September-to-June off-season. The cheapest period depends on the destination:
- Beach destinations: Prices may rise during warm-weather weekends and school vacations.
- Ski markets: Winter weekends and holiday periods can be the most expensive.
- Business districts: Weekday demand may be stronger than weekend demand.
- National-park gateways: Rates often follow park access, weather, and school calendars.
- University towns: Graduation, move-in, homecoming, and major sports weekends can cause sharp increases.
- Event cities: Conventions, festivals, concerts, and international sporting events can temporarily raise rates across all hotel classes.
Booking early is useful when rooms are limited, but it does not guarantee the lowest rate. A practical strategy is to reserve an acceptable refundable room, monitor prices, and rebook only when the savings exceed any cancellation or change cost.
Tips for Scoring Deals on 1-Star Hotels
- Compare total prices: Look beyond the first number shown in search results.
- Shift the trip by one or two days: Avoiding a high-demand night can reduce the total substantially.
- Search nearby neighborhoods: Keep transportation time and cost in the calculation.
- Check both 1-star and 2-star filters: A 2-star property may be cheaper because star categories and samples are inconsistent.
- Review direct-booking terms: Compare support, payment timing, loyalty benefits, and cancellation conditions.
- Check recent reviews: Focus on cleanliness, noise, locks, pests, hot water, air conditioning, and staff availability.
- Confirm the rate by room type: Shared-bathroom and nonrefundable rooms may appear first because they are cheaper.
- Save the confirmation: Keep the room description, total price, and cancellation terms available offline.
Since May 12, 2025, the FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees has required covered short-term lodging sellers to show the total with known mandatory fees upfront. Taxes, government charges, and genuinely optional add-ons can appear later, but must be disclosed before payment. A required resort fee cannot be hidden behind a lower advertised room rate.
What to Expect From a 1-Star Hotel Experience
A 1-star hotel usually focuses on a place to sleep rather than extensive services. You may find a comfortable basic room, but the star category alone does not predict cleanliness, safety, staff quality, or maintenance.
- Simple room setup: Expect basic furnishings with fewer decorative or convenience features.
- Limited service: Reception hours, housekeeping frequency, and maintenance response may be limited.
- Fewer on-site facilities: A restaurant, gym, pool, business center, or meeting room may not be available.
- Variable bathroom arrangements: Some properties offer only private bathrooms, while others include shared-bathroom rooms.
- Property-specific quality: Recent reviews and guest photos are more useful than the star label for judging current condition.
At check-in, inspect the door lock, smoke alarm, bathroom, bedding, and room temperature. Report serious problems immediately and keep photos if the room differs materially from the listing.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives to 1-Star Hotels
A different accommodation category may provide better value than the available 1-star listings:
- Two-star hotels: These can sometimes cost less because they are more common and face greater competition.
- Independent motels: Useful for road trips, especially when parking is included.
- Hostels: Dorm beds may reduce costs for solo travelers, while private rooms should be compared with hotel totals.
- Campgrounds: Potentially economical for travelers who already own the required equipment and have suitable weather.
- Vacation rentals: May work well for families or groups, but cleaning charges, service fees, parking, and cancellation terms matter.
- University or institutional lodging: Some destinations offer seasonal rooms when student housing is unused.
Compare privacy, transportation, cancellation flexibility, security, and the final cost rather than assuming that one accommodation type is always cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a 1-star hotel in the USA?
One Budget Your Trip sample of 2,314 U.S. one-star properties reports a $208 average and $156 median nightly base price, with advertised listings from about $57. Another platform reports lower figures using different methods. All these estimates depend on dates, inventory, and the website’s sample.
Why can a 1-star hotel cost more than a 2-star hotel?
In Budget Your Trip’s U.S. sample, one-star properties average $208, while two-star properties average $128. Hotel classes are not standardized across all websites, and the smaller one-star sample may include costly outliers. Compare real hotels on the same dates rather than treating stars as a price ladder.
What U.S. city has the cheapest 1-star hotels?
No city is permanently the cheapest. Hotel rates depend on the exact dates, local events, neighborhood, available inventory, and the website’s classification system. Compare several lower-demand cities using identical dates and room requirements.
Does a 1-star hotel include Wi-Fi and breakfast?
Not necessarily. Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, private bathrooms, air conditioning, and daily housekeeping depend on the property and rate plan. Verify each feature in the room description before booking.
Are hotel taxes included in the displayed price?
Covered lodging sellers must prominently include known mandatory fees in their displayed total price under the FTC rule. Taxes, government charges, and genuinely optional extras may be added later but must appear before payment. Review the full booking amount before you commit.
Does one star mean the hotel is dirty or unsafe?
No. A star or hotel-class label mainly describes the expected facility and service level. It does not guarantee current cleanliness, maintenance, or neighborhood conditions. Check recent reviews, guest photos, inspection information, and the property’s exact location.
Conclusion
The $156 median is useful for understanding one U.S. property sample, but it is not a fixed national room rate. Actual one-star deals can be much cheaper or more expensive depending on the booking site, location, date, and cancellation rules.
Use the star filter to find options, then compare matching rooms by the full-stay cost. Confirm the bathroom, parking, deposit, cancellation terms, arrival hours, and recent guest reports. A two-star hotel may be a better value than a one-star listing.
Sources
- Budget Your Trip: USA Hotel Prices by Star Rating — current 1-star sample size, average, median, starting price, and before-tax qualification.
- CoStar: 2025 U.S. Hotel Performance — 2025 industry-wide occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR.
- CoStar: May 2026 U.S. Hotel Performance — current monthly all-hotel ADR context.
- CoStar and Tourism Economics: Q2 2026 Forecast Assumptions — current demand, hotel-tier, event, and rate-trend context.
- Federal Trade Commission: Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees FAQ — upfront lodging-price and mandatory-fee disclosure requirements.
- AAA Diamond Program — inspected hotel-designation methodology and the distinction between rating systems.
- Priceline U.S. Hotel Deals and Star-Class Chart — alternate one-star booking-price estimate and its methodology.
- CoStar: August 2026 U.S. Hotel Performance — $161.78 U.S. hotel ADR across all classes.
- Budget Your Trip: California Hotel Prices — California one-star sample.
- Budget Your Trip: New York Hotel Prices — New York one-star sample.
- Budget Your Trip: Texas Hotel Prices — Texas one-star sample.
- Budget Your Trip: Florida Hotel Prices — Florida one-star sample.
- Budget Your Trip: Nevada Hotel Prices — Nevada one-star sample.
- Budget Your Trip: South Carolina Hotel Prices — South Carolina one-star sample.
- Forbes Travel Guide: About — luxury Star Rating method and scope.
