Want an Average Room for $240? Go to N.Y.

Average hotel rates in New York City will hit a mind-boggling $240 this year, the highest in the nation, but San Francisco’s rates are soaring at the fastest pace, according to projections by PKF Consulting, a hotel industry research group.

Its survey of 46 U.S. cities and counties also projected San Francisco hotels will finish 2000 with the highest average occupancy, 85%, closely followed by New York, at 83.5%. San Francisco’s 2000 average room rate, $169.45, would be a 10.3% jump from 1999. By comparison, the average hotel rate nationwide for 2000 is projected to be $120.93, and the average occupancy rate is 71.4%.

Looking for cheap sleeps? Try El Paso (average room rate: $58) or Oklahoma City ($59). You’ll pay more ($72.53), but your best chances of getting a room are in Salt Lake City, with an average 58.1% occupancy rate, the nation’s lowest.