GoBankingRates.com -- The many costs of planning a vacation will put a stress on most people’s finances, but where you actually choose to go can be what really makes or breaks your travel budget. From arranging airfare to booking a hotel room to dining out on the town, these expenses can quickly rack up — especially if you're in a city with high prices.

So just where are the best places to vacation if you want the most bang for your buck — and which are sure to drain every last penny from your bank account? A new GOBankingRates study investigated 50 of the most popular vacation cities in the U.S., ranking each on the factors that matter most to frugal travelers: hotel prices, transportation and airfare costs, and food and drink expenses. 

If you are thinking about taking a trip this summer, read on to find out the 10 best cities for a cheap vacation this summer. 

Salt Lake City, UT

 

Salt Lake City might not seem like a likely candidate for one of the best vacation cities in the U.S., but travelers to this city enjoy touring the local national and state parks, skiing, visiting museums or catching a Utah Jazz game at Energy Solutions Arena. Airfare prices to and from Salt Lake City can be slightly high, but those costs are offset by the area's inexpensive transportation and hotel prices.