U.S. Cities With the Easiest Access to Affordable Therapy
Access to affordable therapy is a growing concern across the U.S., with rising costs often placing mental health care out of reach for many. But where can Americans find both affordable and accessible therapy? To answer this question, we analyzed data from Psychology Today for 100 cities, focusing on therapists charging under $90 per session.
Our study ranked cities based on several key factors: the number of affordable therapists per 10,000 residents, the percentage of these therapists actively accepting new clients, and the average cost of therapy sessions in the city overall.
At Policy Guide, we understand that mental health is a critical component of overall well-being. By identifying the cities with the easiest access to affordable therapy, we aim to spotlight areas where residents have better opportunities to prioritize their mental health, while also highlighting the ongoing need for accessible care nationwide.
Key Findings
- Therapy Costs Vary Widely Across U.S. Cities: The average cost of a therapy session ranges from $110 to $200.
- Dayton, OH offers the lowest average cost at $110 per session, while New York City, NY ranks as the most expensive, with an average session costing $200.
- Orlando, FL leads in affordability, with 6.23 therapists under $90 per session per 10,000 residents—the highest rate among all cities analyzed.
- California Struggles with Affordability: Four California cities—San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco—rank in the bottom 10 for access to affordable therapy.
Florida Dominates in Accessibility: Three Florida cities—Fort Myers, Orlando, and Miami—rank in the top 10 for affordable and accessible therapy options, highlighting the state’s strong performance in mental health affordability.
Which U.S. Cities Offer the Easiest Access to Low-Cost Therapy?
To find out which cities provide the best access to affordable mental health care, we analyzed three key factors:
1. Therapists Charging Under $90 Per Session Per 10,000 Residents
2. Percentage of Affordable Therapists Currently Accepting New Clients
3. Average Cost of a Therapy Session
Each city earned a composite score out of 100, with a higher score indicating greater affordability and accessibility. Here’s how the top performers stack up:
Florida & Pennsylvania Cities Stand Out for Easiest Access to Low-Cost Therapy
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#1Fort Myers, FL – Score: 92.1
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.87
Availability: 100%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#2Orlando, FL – Score: 91.3
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 6.23
Availability: 97%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#3Greenville, SC – Score: 83.5
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.74
Availability: 93%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#4St. Louis, MO – Score: 82.8
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.31
Availability: 94%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#5Pittsburgh, PA – Score: 81.7
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.68
Availability: 91%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#6Miami, FL - Score: 81.5
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.07
Availability: 98%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $135
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#7Columbia, SC - Score: 80.9
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 5.00
Availability: 94%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#8Allentown, PA - Score: 79.9
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 4.70
Availability: 95%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
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#9Scranton, PA - Score: 76.8
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 3.77
Availability: 93%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $115
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#10Harrisburg, PA - Score: 76.0
Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 4.65
Availability: 91%
Avg. Cost Per Session: $125
National Averages
For comparison, the national averages are as follows:
- Therapists Under $90 Per 10k: 1.97
- Availability: 93%
- Avg. Cost Per Session: $140
Cities like Fort Myers and Orlando significantly outperform the national averages, offering more affordable and accessible therapy options for their residents.
20 Best Cities for Therapy Under $90 Per Session
Nationally, the average number of therapists charging under $90 per session is 1.97 per 10,000 residents. However, the top-performing cities far exceed this benchmark, making mental health care more accessible for their populations.
At the top of the list is Orlando, FL, with 6.23 affordable therapists per 10,000 people—over three times the national average. Fort Myers, FL follows closely with 5.87 affordable therapists, while Greenville, SC comes in third at 5.74.
Other cities rounding out the top five include Pittsburgh, PA (5.68) and Poughkeepsie, NY (5.60). These two Pennsylvania cities provide residents with a robust selection of low-cost therapy options, significantly improving access to mental health care.
On the other hand, several cities fall far below the national average. Stockton, CA ranks the lowest, with just 0.09 therapists under $90 per 10,000 residents. San Jose, CA (0.11) and Bakersfield, CA (0.13) also rank among the least accessible for affordable therapy.
Fresno, CA (0.22) and Des Moines, IA (0.33) complete the bottom five, highlighting significant gaps in affordable mental health care availability. Residents in these cities may face greater challenges in accessing the therapy they need at a reasonable cost.
Closing Thoughts
Affordable and accessible therapy is crucial for promoting mental health and well-being, and while some cities excel in providing low-cost local options, others lag behind. Fortunately, the rise of online therapy platforms has expanded access beyond geographic limitations. This means that even in cities with fewer affordable local therapists, residents can explore additional virtual options that meet their needs.
Additionally, with more insurance plans expanding coverage for mental health services, therapy could become even more affordable in the future. If you have insurance, the cost of mental health care is usually reduced, but the exact amount depends on the specifics of your insurance plan and whether you see a provider within your network or opt for one outside of it.
As mental health continues to gain recognition as a critical aspect of overall well-being, these growing insurance options could help bridge the affordability gap for many Americans.
At Policy Guide, we’re committed to helping individuals navigate their healthcare options. Whether you’re optimizing your Medicare plan or exploring additional coverage options, our team provides personalized guidance to ensure you’re equipped with the right plan for a healthier, more secure future.
Methodology: How We Decided The Best Cities for Affordable Therapy
To identify the U.S. cities with the best access to affordable therapy, we analyzed data from Psychology Today for 100 cities. We focused on therapists charging $90 or less per session, as $90 was the least expensive filtered result available on the platform.
This analysis included both online and in-person therapists, provided they were based in the city being evaluated. Importantly, we did not limit our analysis to therapists who accept insurance, as our goal was to assess affordability based on out-of-pocket costs.
For each city, we calculated the number of affordable therapists per 10,000 residents and evaluated the percentage of these therapists actively accepting new clients as of November 2024. Additionally, we factored in the average cost of a therapy session across all therapists in each city.
Cities were ranked using a composite score that combined these metrics, with each factor scored on a scale from 0 to 5. The final city score, out of 100, reflected both the availability and affordability of therapy, providing a comprehensive view of mental health care access across the country.
