Upgraded Points Study Reveals the Best U.S. Cities To Go Cashless With Digital Payments

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Upgraded Points' latest study highlights which U.S. cities lead the charge in adopting digital payment methods for a wide variety of goods and services.

"As carrying cash becomes increasingly obsolete, cities that embrace technologies like Apple Pay, cryptocurrency transactions, and other contactless payments are transforming the way people shop and manage their finances," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "Digital payments are radically evolving the way we interact with the economy."

Study Methodology

The study analyzed the top 100 most-populated cities based on the number of businesses in 5 key categories (restaurants, shopping, beauty/spa, health/medical, and entertainment) that accept digital payments such as Apple Pay, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrency. Each city was assigned an aggregated factor score between 0 and 100, reflecting the extent of digital payment adoption. Scores were adjusted for population size to ensure fair comparisons.

Top 10 U.S. Cities for Going Cashless

1. Sarasota, Florida
2. Greenville, South Carolina
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Miami, Florida
5. Daytona Beach, Florida
6. Poughkeepsie, New York
7. Fort Myers, Florida
8. New Haven, Connecticut
9. Charleston, South Carolina
10. San Francisco, California

Top U.S. Cities that Accept Apple Pay

1. Los Angeles – 1,131 Businesses
2. New York City – 1,127 Businesses
3. San Francisco – 1,068 Businesses
4. Chicago – 941 Businesses
5. Washington, D.C. – 791 Businesses

Top U.S. Cities Leading the Charge in Cryptocurrency Adoption

1. Phoenix – 37 businesses
2. San Francisco – 36 businesses
3. Las Vegas – 35 businesses
4. Los Angeles and New York City – 29 businesses

Visit the full study online.

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at: www.UpgradedPoints.com.

Media Contact:

Alex Miller, Founder
1-214-646-8866
[email protected]

SOURCE Upgraded Points