One reason for Airbnb's surging popularity is the chance to rent a whole house for the price of a hotel room. But not always, according to a new analysis by Money magazine. Money looked at prices in 300 cities and found some where Airbnb was indeed cheaper. For instance, in Santa Monica, California, the average hotel room is now $344 while Airbnb is just $222, 35% cheaper. New York City was similar. But in cities with cheap hotel rooms, a hotel is often your better deal. For instance, in Pensacola, Florida, an average hotel room is $108 while an Airbnb rental is $271 - 60 percent more! The report suggests you compare prices before committing and if it’s a vacation spot with a lot of hotel rooms, a hotel may save you money.
