Thrifting Is in Vogue: Which Cities Are Best and Worst for Thrift Shopping?
Travis Lermusiaux has been exploring thrift stores long before they became a popular trend.
At the age of 33, Lermusiaux started thrifting as a teenager.
“I’ve worn thrifted clothes throughout my life,” he shared.
He has two primary reasons for thrifting: as a musician and guitar technician, Lermusiaux found that mainstream clothing options often didn’t match his unique style. His fondness for ’80s and ’90s music set him apart from his “peers, as his tastes were often different from theirs.”
Additionally, growing up in a family with limited income made thrifting a practical choice for finding clothes he liked.
Like Lermusiaux, many are joining the thrifting craze, whether motivated by the excitement of the hunt or a wish to minimize environmental waste.
Thrifting Is All the Rage
According to Marc Mezzacca, the founder and thrifting expert at CouponFollow, perceptions of thrifting have shifted significantly in recent years.
“Social media and a growing awareness of environmental issues have been key factors in the rising popularity of thrifting,” Mezzacca told YSL News. “Thrifting is now celebrated as a sustainable fashion option that provides unique, one-of-a-kind finds, unlike fast fashion. It has also elevated the cultural perception of thrifting, making it a default choice not only for saving money but also for personal expression and ethical consumerism.”
CouponFollow has observed changes in the last two years since its last survey of thrift shoppers. Last year, 85% of thrifters cited cost savings as their motivation, while 42% thrifted to help the environment, and 40% sought discounted luxury brands. This year, while 88% still value savings, finding unique clothing has risen to 41% as the second most popular reason, followed closely by the thrill of discovering “treasures” at 35%, appealing to those who enjoy finding items that others have discarded.
Thrift shoppers reported an average annual savings of $2,071 in 2024, up from $1,760 in 2022.
Among Gen Z thrifters, the monthly savings average was $289, with millennials saving $160, Gen Xers $134, and Baby Boomers $41, as revealed by the survey.
What Makes Thrifting So Trendy Now?
The younger generation has driven a push for sustainable thrifting, making it a form of personal expression, according to Mezzacca.
Lermusiaux agrees that thrifting has gained greater acceptance.
In the past, “people weren’t as open about their thrifting habits,” he noted. “It was somewhat looked down upon when I was a teenager in high school.
“Now it’s almost the opposite,” Lermusiaux continued. “Reasons vary from financial savings to making a profit the culture surrounding it is far more welcoming to someone saying, ‘I thrifted this entire outfit.’ In fact, many find it quite impressive.”
Lermusiaux frequents thrift stores from weekly to a few times a month. Although he can afford new clothes now that he’s older and employed full-time, he still enjoys thrifting. He feels less guilty about spending $7 on trendy baggy jeans that may go out of style quickly, compared to buying them at full price.
He has also thrifted furniture and other items, although he primarily shops for clothing. There are certain items he avoids buying used: “I don’t go for underwear or socks,” he mentioned. He also steers clear of thrifted white T-shirts since they rarely remain pristine.
While finding unique clothing and saving money remain his top motivations for thrifting, he now enjoys sharing the experience with his fiancée: she appreciates the opportunity to recycle and upcycle clothes to reduce environmental impact rather than purchasing new items.
Shoppers Say Thrift Store Prices Are Rising
However, the surge in thrifting’s popularity may come with a downside. Many thrifters are noticing that prices have increased at thrift stores.
A survey revealed that 71% of thrifters observed price hikes over the last year – a sentiment not expressed in the 2022 report – and 50% believe thrift stores have become too pricey.
“The overwhelming trendiness of thrifting has affected pricing,” Mezzacca explained. As demand has grown, “thrift stores have responded by raising prices, especially for high-end or vintage items.”
The thrift resale market, where individuals sell items on platforms like Depop and Poshmark, has established a general belief that thrifted goods are of high value, increasing competition and prices, he added.
“Although this shows a cultural shift toward valuing secondhand goods, it also creates challenges for those who have traditionally shopped at thrift stores for affordability,” Mezzacca said.
Lermusiaux has also noticed an increase in prices. He is uncertain whether this is due to inflation or the rise in thrifting’s popularity, suspecting it may be a combination of both. “In the past, I could grab a fantastic pair of shoes for five bucks; now that same pair costs around $30,” he remarked.
Lermusiaux is not troubled by the growing number of resellers of thrifted items – in fact, he follows several on social media and appreciates their role in evolving thrifting culture.
“Yet there’s a downside; it feels like the secret of thrifting has been revealed a bit,” he noted about its benefits.
Which Cities Offer the Best Thrift Shopping?
CouponFollow analyzed Yelp data on thrift, vintage, and consignment stores, including flea markets in major U.S. cities to identify the best and worst locations for thrifting. Criteria included the quantity and type of stores as well as Yelp ratings based on affordability and popularity.
New York City and Newark, New Jersey, topped the list as the best cities for thrift shopping, with Long Beach and Irvine, California, hosting the most budget-friendly options. Los Angeles, which held the top spot in 2022, fell to third place this time.
Here are the top 10 cities for thrifting:
- New York
- Newark, New Jersey
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach, California
- Oakland, California
- Arlington, Texas
- Irvine, California
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- San Bernardino, California
- Chicago
Which Cities Are the Worst for Thrifting?
The latest CouponFollow survey identified the following as the least favorable cities for thrifting:
100. Laredo, Texas
99. Lubbock, Texas
98. Anchorage, Alaska
97. Corpus Christi, Texas
96. Wichita, Kansas
95. Memphis, Tennessee
94. Madison, Wisconsin
93. Scottsdale, Arizona
92. Bakersfield, California
91. El Paso, Texas
Even if you don’t reside in a “top” city for thrifting, that doesn’t mean you can’t score great thrift deals, according to Mezzacca.
“Smaller cities or those not in the top 10 may still hide amazing treasures or unique thrift shops catering to specific tastes,” he stated. “These rankings are just a glimpse into the vast world of thrift shopping; there’s always potential for great finds, especially in less explored areas.”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter. Follow her on X, Facebook, or Instagram @blinfisher.
