WalletHub's Top Cities to Celebrate July 4th 2017

WalletHub measures its rankings based on criteria such as a city's affordability and attractions

A record number of Americans — 44.2 million people — will travel more than 50 miles from home this Independence Day. The best place to celebrate the holiday is Atlanta, Georgia, and the worst place is Newark, New Jersey, according to WalletHub, a personal finance review site.

To come up with the rankings, WalletHub compared 100 of the U.S.’s most populous cities according to 18 indicators across the following five key categories: Fourth of July celebrations, affordability, attractions and activities, safety and accessibility and weather.

As always, remember that the findings are more guide than gospel. For example, WalletHub puts Buffalo, New York, in third place ahead of Washington, D.C., which lands in fourth place. Although I may be biased as a long-time resident of the District, I find it hard to imagine Buffalo beating D.C.’s free concert in front of the Capitol and free fireworks on the Mall. Here are WalletHub’s findings and fun facts.

WalletHub’s Best 10 Cities to Celebrate the 4^th of July

1. Atlanta, GA, scored 78.01 out of a possible 100 points

2. San Francisco, CA, scored 74.40

3. Buffalo, NY, scored 74.40

4. Washington, DC, scored 69.92

5. San Diego, CA, scored 68.90

6. Madison, WI, scored 68.44

7. St. Louis, MO, scored 68.24

8. Milwaukee, WI, scored 68.09

9. Orlando, FL, scored 66.69

10. Seattle, WA, scored 65.46

WalletHub’s Cities with the Cheapest 3-Star Hotels for July 4th

1. Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, NV

2. Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, and Reno, NV

WalletHub’s Cities with the Most Expensive 3-Star Hotels for July 4th

96. Colorado Springs, CO, and Anchorage, AK

98. Norfolk, VA, and Chesapeake, VA

100. Honolulu, HI, came in last.

Spending Predictions for 2017

$1.6 billion is the amount Americans plan to spend on beer and wine

$800 million is the amount Americans plan to spend on fireworks

$7.15 billion is the amount Americans plan to spend on food for the holiday.

Fourth of July Spending in 2016

$389 million on chicken

$388 million on ground beef

$318 million on chips

$133 million on hamburger and hot dog buns

$83 million on watermelon

$42 million on barbeque sauce

$37 million on ketchup

$25 million on mustard

Follow Candyce H. Stapen on Twitter: @FamilyiTrips