AUSTIN, Texas — When it comes to the day of love, one Texas city outshines the rest. In a study by WalletHub, Austin landed in the top 20 best cities to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The capital city took the No. 12 spot on WalletHub’s list of the 100 largest U.S. cities. Each one was ranked based on budget, activities, gift accessibility and weather forecast.
Cities were also judged on more specific metrics, including the most affordable cities to get a three-course dinner for two. Texas dominated the list with two cities in the top 5 — Garland at No. 2 and Plano at No. 5. On the other end of that, a few Texas cities landed in the bottom for having the least amount of florists and chocolate shops per capita.
According to WalletHub, Americans are expected to spend $29.1 billion on gifts for that special someone this year, with the average person dropping $200 for the holiday. But having a memorable day doesn’t have to break the bank.
WalletHub has these tips for those who are looking for cost-effective ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day:
Planning a homemade dinner date
Giving personalized DIY gifts
Exploring free or low-cost activities like picnics in the park, nature walks or stargazing
Setting a budget and sticking to it
Planning ahead for discounts and deals
“It’s common to spoil your partner on Valentine’s Day, but inflation can certainly put a damper on those plans. Fortunately, the best cities for Valentine’s Day offer a wide variety of affordable date activities, food options and places to buy gifts, so you can show that you care without breaking the bank. It’s never a good idea to go into debt just to enjoy a holiday or give a gift,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.