2020’s Best Cities for New Year’s

New Year’s Eve celebrations will be looking different this year. The traditional ball drop in Times Square will not be open to the public but has gone virtual. In Las Vegas the Fremont Street Experience will not be held this year due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Cities across the US have applied changes to the usual celebrations due to COVID.

With New Year’s around the corner but the scale of celebrations limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Best Cities for New Year’s.

To determine which cities are the best for safely ringing in the new year without breaking the bank, they compared the 100 biggest cities across 15 key metrics. The data set ranges from safety and COVID-19 cases to quality food delivery options and costs.

Key Stats

• Honolulu has the fewest COVID-19 cases in the past week (per 100,000 residents), 1,544.12, which is 6.7 times fewer than in Lubbock, Texas, the city with the most at 10,405.57.
• Gilbert, Arizona, has the lowest property crime rate (per 1,000 residents), 12.03, which is 5.3 times lower than in Oakland, California, the city with the highest at 64.21.
• Miami has the most beer, wine and spirits shops (per square root of population), 0.333293, which is 27.2 more than in Garland, Texas, the city with the fewest at 0.012259.
• Indianapolis has the lowest average wine price, $3.63, which is 4.1 times lower than in Seattle, the city with the highest at $14.89.
• St. Paul, Minnesota, has the lowest pedestrian-fatality rate (per 100,000 residents), 0.32, which is 23.5 times lower than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the highest at 7.53.

WalletHub Q & A with Experts

What factors should people consider when choosing whether and where to travel for New Year's Eve?

“In the age of COVID, safety will always be a priority – not just for the reveler but also for those around them, said Eric T. Brey, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Stout. “For each individual, there is a degree of personal choice of where to go but this year but in general, people are going to want to look for locations that are offering greater opportunities to the social distance while being able to enjoy the new year celebrations. For those in the colder north, this will be challenging but warmer destinations are already planning outdoor festivities that will offer the fun we expect with a level of safety that will be needed. There will always be a group that will go out regardless, but that number is more limited as we see the climb associated with a second wave of infections.”

What money-saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for New Year's?

“Don’t. If you do, the cost of your travel may be compounded by COVID-related healthcare costs," said David L. Corsun, PhD, University of Denver. “This is one New Year’s from a lifetime of them. Sit it out so you can ring in 2022 in style and good health.”

What are the biggest New Year's Eve money-wasters?

“Special events that may not be that special,” said Robert A. Brymer, Dedman College of Hospitality. “Obviously, COVID-19 will affect most large gatherings in the USA, but do not be misled by extraordinary promotional sites and materials. Do your research and check-out who is sponsoring the event, what is their history for delivering on promises, and what other options might prove more desirable?”

New Year's Eve falls on a Thursday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans?

“People tend to take extended weekends when a holiday falls near the end of the workweek and often travel to places further away than they normally would travel,” said Melissa B. Dallas, Missouri State University. “This, of course, means that more money overall is spent on food, drink, travel, and lodging.”

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-for-new-years-eve/17263