Amped Up and Outdoors: The Best States for Live Music Fans

As spring and summer bring warmer weather, a new study has revealed the best U.S. states for outdoor concerts — California tops the list.

Travel platform Hellotickets analyzed four key factors to determine the best states for outdoor concertgoers in 2024: the number of upcoming outdoor concerts per 100,000 residents, average ticket prices, average evening temperatures, and average evening rainfall during the spring and summer months. Each state was scored on a 10-point scale per factor, for a maximum total of 40.

Top 10 States for Outdoor Concerts:

1. California – 29.10

2. New Mexico – 25.89

3. Rhode Island – 25.72

4. New York – 25.66

5. Oregon – 24.92

6. Nevada – 24.73

7. Washington – 24.30

8. Maryland – 24.17

9. Delaware – 23.71

10. Illinois – 23.69

Music Fans Will Travel

“More than half of adults in the U.S. have attended a music festival, proving just how popular these events are,” says Jorge Díaz Largo, Founder & CEO of Hellotickets. “With one in 10 music fans traveling 500 miles or more for a concert, it’s clear that people are willing to put in extra effort to see their favorites live.”

California Leads the Way

California scored highest overall, with 13,352 upcoming outdoor concerts — equal to 33.86 per 100,000 residents — and earned a concert frequency score of 7.25. Major festivals such as Coachella and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival contribute to that number.

The Golden State also boasts the lowest evening rainfall (0.04 mm) for a score of 8.79. With an average ticket price of $61.35 and evening temperatures around 77.9 degrees Fahrenheit, California earned scores of 6.45 and 6.60 in those categories, respectively.

New Mexico and Rhode Island Round Out the Top Three

New Mexico ranked second with a final score of 25.89. The state’s strong performance came from low rainfall (0.05 mm, score: 7.88), a solid concert rate of 36.66 per 100,000 residents (score: 7.65), and average evening temperatures of 73 degrees. Notable performers slated to appear include the Goo Goo Dolls and G-Eazy. Ticket prices average $73.21, earning the state a score of 5.18.

Rhode Island placed third, bolstered by the most affordable ticket prices in the nation — an average of $41.97, resulting in a perfect score of 10. With 31.29 upcoming outdoor concerts per 100,000 residents, the state scored 6.45 in that category. Events like the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival are set for this summer.

Other Standouts

• New York (No. 4) had the most concerts per capita at 45.47 per 100,000 residents (score: 10), and low ticket prices at $45.12 (score: 8.43).

• Oregon (No. 5) matched California’s rainfall and offered average ticket prices of $50.87 (score: 7.25).

• Nevada (No. 6) earned a perfect score of 10 for the lowest average rainfall (0.03 mm).

• Washington (No. 7) had the second-lowest average ticket prices at $42.89 (score: 9.27).

• Maryland (No. 8) had 34.47 concerts per 100,000 residents (score: 7.44) and will host Sunfest in September.

• Delaware (No. 9) earned a 7.44 for affordable ticket prices at $50.80.

• Illinois (No. 10) had an average ticket price of $62.56 (score: 6.31). Riot Fest and Lollapalooza are coming up!

“The states on this list provide everything you need for an amazing outdoor concert experience,” Díaz Largo adds.