Finding a parking spot downtown can feel like winning the jackpot—or like a losing streak when you circle the block for the fifth time. Whether you’re heading to a game, a night out, or just trying to make a lunch reservation on time, the battle for street parking is real. Some cities make it easy, while others turn it into an endurance sport.
To find out where drivers have the best shot at snagging a spot, we analyzed street parking data from ParkMe across 40 major U.S. cities. We ranked them based on availability, competition, and cost to see which cities make parking a breeze and which ones will test your patience. Let’s dive in.
Key Insights
- Four cities offer the easiest downtown parking experience – Minneapolis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Louisville all have 100% of their downtown streets classified as high-probability parking zones.
- New York is the toughest city for street parking – With 817,702 people per high-probability parking street, competition for a spot is higher than anywhere else in the country.
- Philadelphia has the most limited parking availability – 72% of its downtown streets have low or no probability of available parking, making it one of the most challenging cities for drivers.
- Downtown street parking is free in four major cities – Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Kansas City each charge $0 per hour according to ParkMe, making them the best cities for budget-conscious drivers.
- An eight-hour stay in New York can cost over $30 – With an hourly rate of $3.82, NYC tops the list for the most expensive street parking, while Baltimore ($2.08) and Chicago ($1.90) also demand high parking fees.
U.S. Cities Where It’s The Easiest (and Hardest) to Find Downtown Parking
Navigating downtown parking can be a challenge, but in some cities, finding a spot is a breeze. On average, 64% of downtown streets across all cities analyzed had a high probability of available parking. However, some cities far exceeded that benchmark, offering near-guaranteed parking availability. Minneapolis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Louisville stood out, with 100% of their downtown streets classified as having a high probability of open spots, making them the easiest places to find parking.
Cities With the Highest Probability for Downtown Street Parking
These cities offer the best chances of finding a spot downtown, making parallel parking a low-stress experience.
- Minneapolis, MN – 100% of streets with high parking availability
- New Orleans, LA – 100%
- Cincinnati, OH – 100%
- Louisville, KY – 100%
- Milwaukee, WI – 96%
- Kansas City, MO – 93%
- Jacksonville, FL – 91%
- Las Vegas, NV – 88%
- Phoenix, AZ – 88%
- Miami, FL – 80%
With most downtown streets offering a high probability of parking, these cities make it easier for drivers to pull in, park, and get on with their plans without much hassle.
Cities With the Lowest Probability for Downtown Street Parking
On the flip side, certain cities make parking far more difficult. Across all cities analyzed, the average percentage of streets with low or no parking availability was 25%, but some cities had significantly higher rates of limited street parking.
- Philadelphia, PA – 72% of streets with low/no parking availability
- New York, NY – 64%
- Boston, MA – 62%
- Hartford, CT – 62%
- Washington, DC – 53%
- San Diego, CA – 52%
- Baltimore, MD – 48%
- Raleigh, NC – 44%
- Oklahoma City, OK – 42%
- Seattle, WA – 41%
In these cities, drivers should be prepared for a more competitive parking experience. If you’re heading downtown, planning ahead or exploring alternative transportation options could save you time—and frustration.
U.S. Cities With The Most (and Least) Competitive Parking
In some cities, finding an open parking spot isn’t just about availability—it’s about competition. The number of high-probability parking streets per capita plays a major role in how easy (or difficult) it is to secure a spot. Cities with fewer parking spots relative to their population force drivers into a battle for curb space, while others offer a far less stressful experience.
Cities With the Most Competition for Street Parking Downtown
These cities have the highest number of people per high-probability parking street, making parking a real challenge.
- New York, NY – 817,702 people per high-probability parking street
- Philadelphia, PA – 198,185
- Charlotte, NC – 185,058
- Los Angeles, CA – 78,147
- Chicago, IL – 63,610
- San Diego, CA – 62,159
- San Antonio, TX – 61,498
- Houston, TX – 59,624
- Baltimore, MD – 47,219
- Boston, MA – 46,464
With over 800,000 New Yorkers per high-probability parking street, competition in the Big Apple is unmatched. Philadelphia and Charlotte aren’t much better, with nearly 200,000 residents per spot, meaning drivers should expect a game of patience and persistence. Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Diego also rank among the most competitive, proving that in some cities, street parking is a high-stakes challenge.
Cities With the Least Competition for Street Parking Downtown
On the other end of the spectrum, these cities have far fewer drivers per high-availability parking street, making it easier to find an open space.
- Minneapolis, MN – 6,078 people per high-probability parking street
- Miami, FL – 8,789
- Atlanta, GA – 10,445
- Richmond, VA – 11,147
- Hartford, CT – 12,075
- Detroit, MI – 12,244
- Denver, CO – 13,572
- Portland, OR – 13,601
- New Orleans, LA – 16,149
- Nashville, TN – 16,641
With fewer than 6,100 people per high-probability parking street, Minneapolis offers the easiest parking competition across the cities analyzed. Miami, Atlanta, and Richmond also make the list, giving drivers a much smoother parking experience. These cities make it possible to find a spot without the endless circling, meaning more time spent enjoying your plans and less time strategizing which street to try next.
If you’re parking in one of the most competitive cities, be prepared for a challenge—or consider alternative transportation. But if you’re in one of the cities where competition is low, take advantage of the stress-free parking while you can.
Downtowns With The Highest and Lowest Street Parking Costs
We couldn’t mention availability without talking costs. Parking costs vary widely across major U.S. cities, with some charging premium rates while others offer street parking at little to no cost. Whether you’re heading to work, catching a game, or planning a night out, parking fees can add up quickly. In the most expensive cities, parking for a full eight-hour workday could cost as much as a fancy dinner or a few rounds of drinks, while in other cities, parking won’t cost you but a dime.
Cities With the Most Expensive Street Parking
These cities charge the highest average hourly rates for downtown street parking, making every minute at the meter count.
- New York, NY – $3.82 per hour
- Baltimore, MD – $2.08
- Chicago, IL – $1.90
- New Orleans, LA – $1.88
- Charlotte, NC – $1.50
- Houston, TX – $1.49
- Washington, DC – $1.43
- Oklahoma City, OK – $1.37
- Portland, OR – $1.33
- Louisville, KY – $1.30
New York leads the pack, with an average hourly rate of $3.82—meaning an eight-hour stay could set drivers back more than $30. Baltimore and Chicago follow with rates above $1.90 per hour, proving that in some cities, the cost of simply parking your car can rival the price of entertainment itself.
Cities With the Least Expensive Street Parking
On the flip side, these cities offer the most affordable downtown parking, with some charging nothing at all.
- Hartford, CT – $0.00 per hour
- Cincinnati, OH – $0.00
- Cleveland, OH – $0.00
- Kansas City, MO – $0.00
- Dallas, TX – $0.33
- Detroit, MI – $0.45
- San Jose, CA – $0.47
- Los Angeles, CA – $0.56
- Columbus, OH – $0.56
- Jacksonville, FL – $0.57
- Las Vegas, NV – $0.57
In Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Kansas City, downtown drivers enjoy free street parking—meaning more money stays in their pockets for the actual entertainment. Even in cities like Dallas ($0.33) and Detroit ($0.45), parking costs are minimal, making it easier to spend on the things that matter most.
For drivers in high-cost parking cities, planning ahead or exploring alternative transportation could help cut costs. But for those lucky enough to park for free? Consider it a small jackpot win for your wallet.
Closing Thoughts
Finding parking downtown can be a make-or-break moment for any night out. Some cities roll out the welcome mat with easy-to-find, affordable spots, while others turn the hunt for parking into a high-stakes challenge. Whether you’re in a city where parking is a breeze or one where it’s a competitive sport, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead and avoid frustration.
BetMGM is all about making entertainment effortless—whether you’re watching the big game or playing online casino games and real money slots. So, wherever your plans take you, make sure you’re focused on the fun—not on finding a spot.
Methodology
To identify the cities where parallel parking downtown is easiest, we analyzed street parking availability using data from ParkMe.com. Our study examined 40 major cities, scraping data from an average of 52 downtown streets per city to assess parking availability on a typical weekday. Each street was classified into one of three probability levels: high, medium, or low/no likelihood of finding an open spot. We then calculated the percentage of high-probability streets in each downtown area and ranked the cities accordingly, highlighting where drivers have the best and worst chances of securing a parking spot.
Beyond availability, we also considered competition for parking by calculating the population per high-probability street, helping us understand how many people might be vying for the most accessible spots in each city. Additionally, we analyzed the average hourly cost of street parking, ranking cities from the most to least expensive to provide insights into affordability. Together, these factors paint a comprehensive picture of where downtown parking is easiest, most competitive, and most affordable.
