If you think cruises are the preserve of the well-heeled traveller, think again. When Cruisewatch.com totted up the cost of rent, groceries, utilities, transport and services in several locations in the USA, they found that residents could often spend less if they lived out the rest of 2018 on continuous cruises instead. In fact, they could often save cash. If you fancy hopping aboard, read on to find out where living costs can set you back more than setting sail.

This city in Berkshire County offers swathes of blazing foliage throughout the fall and skiing by winter. Pittsfeld has also been named the top place to retire in Massachusetts, but anyone about to collect their pension might be interested to know they could save over $1,500 if they opted to spend the rest of this year cruising. According to Cruisewatch.com, the cost of living in Pittsfield for the rest of 2018 comes to $18,480, while cruising comes in at cool $16,817.

Chicago may be home to some 200 theatres, world-class museums and a stunning skyline, but living here isn’t cheap. Basic costs come to an estimated $56 a day, which means you’ll part with $18,816 by the end of December. Ditch the deep pan pizza and step aboard a cruise to save up to $1,999 instead.

Nestled in the world’s biggest pine forest, Flagstaff draws hikers, cyclists, skiers and snowboarders alike. Route 66 bisects the historic downtown area, which is popular with road trippers keen to catch a slice of kitsch Americana. But if the novelty of the great outdoors is wearing off, residents might like to know they can spend the rest of the year cruising and still save cash. An estimated $2,335 in fact.

With over 230 days of sunshine a year, fantastic wineries and more highly-rated restaurants than anywhere else in northern California, it's hardly surprising Sacramento draws the crowds. But living here costs an estimated $57 a day, and that’s before you’ve splashed out on a few bottles of Californian Chardonnay. Hop aboard a cruise for the rest of 2018 and you could bank up to $2,671.

This quintessential Maine city is famous for its lobster, lighthouses, sea and surf. Visitors flock to Portland Head Light, America’s first lighthouse and the most photographed in the world. But residents who’ve had their fill of whoopie pies might like to know they can swap their cobblestone streets for a cruise and save up to $2,671 over the rest of the year.

This former textile mill town, perched on the Merrimack River in southern New Hampshire, counts comedians Adam Sandler, Seth Myers and Sarah Silverman as past residents. But with the daily cost of living now an estimated $58 a day, jumping aboard a cruise until Christmas could save you up to $2,671.

Renowned for its beaches, international yachting scene and access to the Everglades, Fort Lauderdale also offers luxury shopping and top-notch dining. The city is also home to one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, so why not take advantage and head off on a trip to the Caribbean or Mexico. Figures suggest you could bank up to $2,671 over the rest of the year.

This small city on Lake Champlain’s eastern shore attracts outdoorsy folk, keen to hike the trails, sail the glassy waters and ski during the colder months. But when the punishing winters get too much, inhabitants might be heartened to know they could spend the rest of the year cruising and be $3,343 better off for it. Living out the rest of the year in Burlington is estimated at $20,160, yet cruising comes in at around $16,817.

Nicknamed Charm City for its unspoiled charm, Baltimore has a recently regenerated inner harbour, with The National Aquarium, Science Centre and the chance to see several historic ships. But living here comes at a price, with rent costing an estimated $23 a day. According to Cruisewatch.com, residents could save up to $3,343 if they set sail instead.

Seattle is famed for its Space Needle, spectacular waterfront and Pike Place Market, selling everything from food to flowers and fish. The market is also home to the original Starbucks, built in 1971. But with the cost of living here predicted to be around $20,160 over the rest of 2018, inhabitants might consider cruising instead. Figures suggest swapping Starbucks’ birthplace for the high seas could save them up to $3,343 over the year.

New England charm and classical architecture come together in this coastal city, which is also where the Frisbee was invented. Much of life here revolves around Yale University, and the University Art Gallery is a major draw, with its fine impressionist and modernist collection. Living here is far from a bargain though, with rent costing an estimated $20 a day. Jump aboard to pocket up to $3,679 over the rest of 2018.

Dubbed the fourth quirkiest city in America, Providence attracts visitors keen to wander the famous Brown University campus and explore the vast Rhode Island School of Design Museum. But spending the rest of the year here will set you back an estimated $20,496. Set sail and you could save up to $3,679 over the rest of 2018.

Hartford sprang up as a Connecticut River trading post in the 17th century and is now the state capital. It’s also where author Mark Twain was inspired to create his classic characters, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Visitors flock to tour his house, but living here today is considerably more expensive than in Twain’s time, with groceries alone costing around $8 a day. Admire the New England coastline from aboard a cruisecruise instead and save yourself up to $3,679.

This New Jersey borough has a stunning slice of coastline and rapid access to the bright lights of New York City, just an hour’s drive away. But the location comes at a price, with rent costing an estimated $23 a day. Residents could save a healthy $4,015 if they bid goodbye to sandy New Jersey shores for the rest of 2018. 

Hot spring aficionados flock to this Rockies resort town for the chance to soothe their aches and pains in the world’s biggest mineral baths, which include a 100-foot-long hot tub. But inhabitants will be surprised to learn that they could save $4,015 if they swap the crisp mountain air for a sea breeze, and spend the next nine months cruising instead.

This one-time US capital is amongst America’s most ethnically diverse cities. Easily explored on foot, it offers incredible art collections, delicious street food and over 300 bring your own bottle restaurants. But living here racks up to an estimated $63 a day. Swap your cheesesteaks for cocktails aboard a continuous cruise and you could save up to $4,351.

Alaska’s largest city has spectacular wildlife, aquamarine glaciers and majestic mountains, all with the added benefits you get from being in a city. But living close to so many natural wonders comes at a price, with groceries alone coming in at an estimated $9 a day. Swap Anchorage’s snowy shores for a cruise, and you could save up to $4,687 over the year.

Newark’s Riverfront Park offers stunning views over the Passaic River. Once you've had your fill of the view, it's just a short hop to the Ironbound District, with 175 Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian restaurants. But the proximity to New York ramps up housing costs, with rent coming in at an estimated $25 a day. Spend your dollars on continuous cruises instead, and you could bank an eye-watering $5,023.

This west Maryland city, heavily imbued with Civil War history, offers cutting-edge cuisine, craft beer and easy access to the surrounding wineries. But Maryland is also the wealthiest state in the US, and residing in Frederick for the rest of the year would tot up to a whopping $21,840. Jump aboard continuous cruises instead, and you could pocket a healthy $5,023.

One of the wealthiest areas in the USA, Bergen County is just a short journey from Manhattan. But the easy commute (a hop across George Washington Bridge) pushes up the annual price of living to an estimated $21,840. Leave the bright city lights behind and take up residence on a cruise to save a vast $5,023 over the rest of the year.

Just 40 minutes from Washington DC, Gaithersburg has grown from a small farming community to a tech hub. Sprawling Seneca Creek State Park is a popular haunt for locals, keen to explore the 6,300-acre site by bike or canoe on Clopper Lake. However, living so close to DC comes at a price, with the rest of the year estimated to set you back around $21,840. If you opted for cruises instead, you could pocket a tidy $5,023.

The gateway to New England, Boston wows visitors with its tree-lined streets (fabulous in the fall), Museum of Fine Arts and stunning library. But living in this historic city is notoriously expensive, with essentials like groceries costing well above the national average. Save yourself a cool $5,359 a year by embarking on a series of cruises instead.

Flower fans know this Massachusetts city, just 30 minutes west of Boston, for its impressive botanical garden. Known as the Garden in the Woods, the famous 45-acre site showcases over 1,000 rare and common native plants. But with Framingham rentals racking up to an estimated $26 a day, research suggests you could save up to $5,695 by swapping your apartment for a cruise lifestyle.

The aurora borealis, jagged mountain peaks and glassy lakes are just some of the reasons people travel to this Alaskan city. But the cost of living here is also substantially higher than the national average, with utilities estimated at just under $10 a day. Swap your pricey energy bills for a cosy cabin on board a cruise, and you could hang onto $6,031.

America’s sprawling second city offers sandy beaches and 266 days of sunshine annually. While the young (and young at heart) flock to Disneyland, movie-lovers head to Hollywood Boulevard, eager to see the handprints of the rich and famous immortalised in the Walk of Fame. But LA also comes with exorbitant rents and notoriously terrible traffic. If you’re fed up of sitting on the highway, consider heading to the high seas. You could save yourself up to $6,031.

Alaska’s capital city is nestled between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel, making it only accessible by sea or air. It’s also the gateway to awe-inspiring glaciers, whale watching and seal spotting. But inhabitants might be interested to know that ditching their snowshoes and taking to the ocean could save them up to $6,031 over the rest of the year.

This Long Island city is known for its rhododendron-packed arboretum and Cove Island Park, an 83-acre site with two beaches and a nature centre. But if you’ve had your fill of forking out $73 a day to live in Stamford, take heart. You could live out the rest of 2018 on cruises and hang onto a healthy $7,711.

Often considered America’s food and wine capital, San Francisco is home to incredible restaurants, as well as Golden Gate Park, with its fine art museum, pretty lakes, tumbling Rainbow Falls and even a herd of bison. But life here is far from cheap, with rent costing a staggering $42 a day. Residing here for the rest of the year would cost an estimated $27,552, but you could save up to $10,735 by cruising instead.

Beautiful beaches, stunning hiking trails and an energetic Chinatown make Hawaii’s capital a great holiday destination. But living here isn’t economical, with groceries alone coming in at an estimated $10 a day. Spending the rest of the year here could set you back $27,000, but try swapping mai tais for cocktails aboard a cruise ship and you could save up to $11,071.

This New York borough offers fantastic restaurants, hip nightlife and a fabulous waterfront park, which draws thousands of visitors keen to soak up views of the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson. But life here is considerably more expensive than the national average, with daily rents coming in at around $91. Leave your loft apartment for sundowners on a continuous cruise instead, and you could save up to $13,759.