The Best U.S. Cities for a Digital Detox [2025 Data Study]

As digital burnout hits an all-time high, more travelers are craving screen-free escapes. Think fewer doom scrolls, more deep breaths. In fact, a 2025 Hilton Trends Report found that nearly 1 in 4 people are cutting back on screen time more than they used to while on vacation.¹ With summer travel in full swing, finding a place that helps you unplug (without judgment) has never felt more necessary — and that’s exactly what this study set out to uncover.

To determine the best cities for a digital detox, we analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on 14 different ranking factors that would impact a city’s ability to give someone a relaxing, digital-free stay, including internet speed, 5G coverage areas, population density, access to off-the-grid Airbnbs, proximity to nature, hiking and wellness opportunities, and more. The results reveal a surprising mix of mountain getaways, high desert hideouts, and underrated cities where going offline is much easier.

The Best and Worst U.S. Cities for a Digital Detox

These are the 10 best U.S. cities for a digital detox:

1. Colorado Springs, Colorado — Score: 63.8

Colorado Springs earns the top spot for digital detoxers due to its perfect blend of slower internet speed, scenic trails, and peaceful accommodations. With an average internet speed of 145 Mbps and just 64% 5G coverage, it’s a prime location for going offline. The city also offers 56 trail miles per 100K residents and 60 off-the-grid Airbnbs per 100K resident — nearly double the study’s national average. Add in stellar ratings of those Airbnbs (4.92 stars) and a high density of spa and wellness centers (13 per 100K residents), and you’ve got the ideal setting for a restorative escape. 

2. Boise, Idaho — Score: 62.9

Boise lands at #2 with a strong digital detox-friendly infrastructure and affordability. The city boasts the fifth-lowest 5G coverage area in the study (just 34%), helping to reduce digital temptations. It also ranks second-lowest for artificial brightness, meaning better conditions for stargazing, sleep quality, and truly unplugging at night. 

Boise excels in outdoor access with 66 trail miles per 100K residents; that’s double the national average of 33 miles. For travelers on a budget, it delivers one of the cheapest nightly rates for off-the-grid Airbnbs ($212.41) and high star ratings (4.91 stars), making this Pacific Northwest gem a top choice for nature-first, phone-last vacations.

3. Henderson, Nevada — Score: 62.7

This sunny Nevada city ranks third thanks to a perfect storm of low 5G coverage (62%), plenty of nature access, and outstanding Airbnb value. Henderson has a high number of trail miles (90 per 100K residents) and an abundance of wellness-focused infrastructure, making it easy to stay active without going online. And with an average Airbnb cost of just $245.63 and 157 off-grid stays per 100K people — more than triple the national average — Henderson combines affordability with a hard-to-beat chance to disconnect.

4. North Las Vegas, Nevada — Score: 62.4

It’s surprising to see North Las Vegas in the top 5, especially given its proximity to the always-on energy of Las Vegas itself. But it edges into fourth place thanks to a detox-friendly profile that includes the highest parkland coverage in the top 10 (25% of the city’s area is dedicated to parks), low 5G coverage (63%), and a strong supply of inexpensive Airbnbs. 

Travelers can expect to pay just $206.30 per night on average for off-the-grid stays like cabins and country homes — 40% less than the study’s national average — with 188 such listings per 100K residents, the second-highest availability in the study. North Las Vegas also supports wellness-minded visitors with 11 spas or wellness centers and 93 spa employees per 100K residents, plus 16 walking loops per 100K residents. The city’s main drawbacks for a digital detox? Much higher levels of noise and light pollution than other top-ranking spots.

5. Madison, Wisconsin — Score: 61.3

Midwestern charm meets mindful living in Madison, where community gardens (4.55 per 100K residents) and off-the-grid Airbnb availability (51 per 100K residents) are among the best in the nation. While its parkland coverage is slightly below average, Madison makes up for it with strong scoring in low light pollution, relatively low internet speed (117 Mbps), and ample green space per resident. With highly rated off-the-grid Airbnbs (4.91 stars) and a solid walking trail network, it’s the Midwest’s top pick for a no-signal-needed getaway.

6. Lexington, Kentucky — Score: 59.6

With 92% 5G coverage, Lexington is more connected than some other cities on this list, but it still shines as a digital detox destination thanks to its abundance of off-the-grid Airbnb stays (48 per 100K residents) and walkable green spaces, offering 22 walking loops per 100K residents. The city also benefits from relatively low levels of noise and light pollution, creating a calmer, more restorative environment. Lexington’s low population density — just 1,155 people per square mile, the third-lowest in the study — means fewer crowds, less commotion, and more room to truly unplug without distraction.

7. Anchorage, Alaska — Score: 58.9

For a true digital escape, Anchorage is hard to top. With the slowest internet speed in the study (58 Mbps) and the lowest 5G coverage (just 10.4%), it practically begs you to go offline. Add in minimal artificial brightness, a sparse population density, and a 4.92-star average Airbnb rating, and it’s easy to see why this city ranks seventh. While accommodation options are fewer than in larger cities, those looking for true solitude and natural beauty will find plenty to love here.

8. Aurora, Colorado — Score: 58.5

Just outside Denver, Aurora earns its spot in the top 10 with a winning combination of low internet speed (116.8 Mbps) and a high concentration of spas and wellness centers. With 60% 5G coverage and access to 38 trail miles per 100K, it gives you plenty of ways to go offline without sacrificing activities. With only 2,515 people per square mile, Aurora’s population density is on the lower side, which is ideal for a more peaceful getaway.

9. Reno, Nevada — Score: 57.4

Reno clocks in with strong digital detox credentials, including the third-slowest internet speed in the study (72.9 Mbps) and limited 5G coverage (29.6%). The city also has 50 trail miles per 100K residents — 51% more than the national average — making it a great base for outdoor exploration. Reno is home to a solid wellness scene, with 11 spas and wellness centers per 100K residents, and its off-the-grid Airbnbs boast an average rating of 4.9 stars. Reno’s wide-open desert surroundings and access to nature make it an underrated haven for travelers looking to escape constant connectivity.

10. Portland, Oregon — Score: 57.3

Rounding out the top 10, Portland is one of the most urbanized cities on this list, but it still offers plenty of unplugged charm. The city offers 9 community gardens per 100K residents and strong parkland coverage, with parks and green space making up 16% of its total area. 

Despite being a major West Coast metro, only 50% of the city has 5G coverage, making it surprisingly easy to disconnect. Off-the-grid Airbnb stays, like cabins and country homes, average a reasonable $295.53 per night, and the city supports wellness-minded travelers with 9 spas and wellness centers per 100K residents. For those craving a digital reset without leaving the city behind, Portland strikes a thoughtful balance.

These are the 5 worst U.S. cities for a digital detox:

• Newark, New Jersey: Score of 21.1
• Jersey City, New Jersey: Score of 23.9
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Score of 27.2
• Miami, Florida: Score of 28.5
• Chicago, Illinois: Score of 30.2

On the flip side, cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami make it tough to truly unplug. High-speed internet, dense populations, and near-total 5G coverage keep you constantly connected. For example, Jersey City and Newark both have over 92% 5G coverage, and Chicago comes in with 12,409 people per square mile, making quiet, tech-free spaces hard to come by.

It’s no coincidence that 6 of the bottom 10 cities are on the East Coast, where high population density, urban infrastructure, and digital convenience dominate. The data suggests that if you want to fully unplug, your best bet is to head to the Mountain West region — or at least away from America’s busiest urban corridors.

The Best U.S. Cities for a Digital Detox by Category

While our top 10 cities offer a well-rounded mix of digital detox essentials, some standout destinations shine in specific categories, even if they didn’t crack the overall leaderboard. From sky-high trail mileage to shockingly low internet speeds, here are the best cities for unplugging across key ranking factors.

Texas: A Digital Detox Powerhouse

Lubbock, Texas, leads the nation in off-the-grid Airbnb availability, with 201 listings per 100K residents — nearly 9 times the national average of 23. And just downstate, Laredo claims the second-slowest average internet speed in the country at 67.8 Mbps, making it an ideal place to hit pause on tech. Meanwhile, Austin surprises with the second-most trail miles per 100K residents (312), providing digital detoxers ample opportunity to swap screen time for serene hikes. 

Arizona Escapes: Tucson and Scottsdale

Tucson, Arizona, is a digital detox gem, thanks to its ultra-low noise pollution levels (37.8 decibels) and limited 5G reach (just 32.9% coverage — well below the 78% average). Whether you’re meditating in the Saguaro desert or simply enjoying the quiet, Tucson offers the kind of stillness that’s hard to find in most cities.

A bit farther north, Scottsdale, Arizona, dominates in the outdoors category. It boasts the highest parkland coverage of any U.S. city in the study (30% of the city area) and an unmatched 318 trail miles per 100K residents. That’s nearly 10 times the national average. Pair that with low population density (1,359 people per square mile), and you’ve got one of the most physically and mentally refreshing places to unplug.

Virginia Beach: Coastal Calm

Virginia Beach, Virginia, scores big across multiple categories, ranking third for both low noise pollution (38.6 decibels) and trail mileage (202 per 100K). Plus, it has some of the nation’s lowest light pollution (2,030 μcd/m²).

Where To Plan Your Next Digital Detox Vacation

Curious to see how your city stacks up or want to explore the full ranking for the best places to take a digital detox? 

We’ve compiled the complete data for all 100 U.S. cities into the interactive table below. Use the search bar to find your city, or click on any column heading to sort by category and discover where each city shines (or falls short) when it comes to unplugging.

Methodology

To determine the best cities for a digital detox vacation, we evaluated 100 top park cities in America from the Trust for Public Land on 14 different criteria that would impact a city’s ability to give someone a relaxing, digital-free stay.

The factors were weighted based on their importance to a digital-less experience. Based on these weights, the individual factors were given scores from 0 to 5 and then combined to reach a total score of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for a digital detox.

Our off-the-grid Airbnb data focuses on cabins and farmhouse listings, as these property types are most conducive to a digital detox. We analyzed their availability, average nightly cost, and guest ratings. All Airbnb listings were filtered to include only “entire home” stays. 

Wellness centers include a range of establishments such as spas, wellness retreats, saunas, and massage studios.

Final Thoughts

As technology becomes more intertwined with daily life, the ability to truly unplug has become a luxury — one that travelers are actively seeking. Our study highlights the best destinations in the U.S. for a digital detox. Whether you’re escaping to Colorado Springs’ mountain views or soaking up the stillness in Anchorage, these cities offer more than just a break from your inbox. They offer a full reset.

References

¹ Hilton 2025 Trends Report. Published by Hilton, October 2024. Accessed July 2025.