Study Finds Street Parking Costs Far Less Than Garages in U.S. Cities
An INRIX scorecard covering 121 cities in 14 countries found that on-street parking in the U.S. and Canada is generally much cheaper than surface lots or garages. Examples include Chicago at $6.24 per hour for street parking and New York City at $31.80 per hour for off-street downtown parking. Parking experts say cities should use data and pricing to manage curb space and maintain availability.
INRIX’s 2026 Parking Scorecard examined 121 cities in 14 North American and European countries. It compared curbside rates with surface-lot and garage charges, finding U.S. and Canadian street parking often much cheaper. Examples included Chicago street parking at $6.24 hourly and New York City downtown off-street parking at $31.80 hourly.
It also tracked curbside availability and curb allocation. Availability ranged from 19 percent in New York City to 62 percent in Dallas. Parking occupied 22 percent of curb space in Miami, 35 percent in New York and 52 percent in Denver, the highest North American figure.
These findings could shape how residents, commuters, delivery workers and businesses experience crowded curbs. Cheaper street parking may encourage drivers to circle for scarce spaces, while different pricing could steer some toward garages, transit or other options. Cities may also face pressure to balance parking with loading, bus and bike needs. The effects would likely vary by neighborhood and could influence local revenue, traffic and access, though outcomes depend on how each city uses the data.