The Most Expensive Places to Go to the Movies

Here's the most expensive places to go to the movies.

Rising ticket prices at movie theaters aren't helping matters.

CareerTrends -- an employment and career research site powered by the Graphiq network -- found the 50 most expensive places to go to the movies. The data comes from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index, which is compiled by pricing items across different locations at a specified time. The list is ranked by the cost of one ticket to a first-run, indoor, evening movie with no discount.

Not surprisingly, large metro areas made up the top of the list, and the top 10 most expensive places all had prices over $12.30 per ticket. Looking at the breakdown of the top 200 most expensive places to go to the movies, we see that the East Coast is the most represented region.

Once you combine the price of concessions in the theater -- which have obscene markups as high as 800 percent -- an evening at the theater might not seem worth it. Hey, you could always just stay in and get your Netflix on.

In the United States, the cost of going to the movies can vary widely from state to state and even within cities due to factors like location, type of theater, time of day, and any premium amenities offered. Generally, the most expensive places to go to the movies in the United States are major cities with a high cost of living. Here are some examples:

New York City, New York

New York City is known for its high living costs, and movie ticket prices in popular Manhattan theaters can be significantly higher than the national average.

Los Angeles, California

Another city with a high cost of living, Los Angeles has its share of expensive theaters, especially in upscale areas like Hollywood.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco's movie ticket prices are also influenced by its high living costs, particularly in areas like Union Square.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, as a major urban center, has various upscale theaters that can charge premium prices, especially in popular downtown areas.

Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital has its fair share of luxury theaters that come with higher ticket prices.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston offers a range of theater experiences, including luxury cinemas with elevated prices.

Miami, Florida

Miami's high-end theaters and cineplexes can have ticket prices above the national average.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle's movie theaters, especially those in upscale neighborhoods like downtown or Bellevue, can have higher ticket prices.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas offers both budget-friendly and high-end theater options, and some of the latter can be quite costly.

San Diego, California

San Diego has theaters with premium amenities that may come with a higher price tag.

Keep in mind that prices can also vary depending on the time of day (matinee vs. evening), the type of movie (3D, IMAX, or standard), and whether you choose to enjoy premium amenities such as reclining seats, gourmet food, or alcoholic beverages. It's advisable to check local theater listings and prices for the most accurate information on movie ticket costs in your area.

 

Movies & Movie Reviews: The Most Expensive Places to Go to the Movies