Similes for Cheap: 35 Comparisons with Examples

Similes for cheap are a powerful way to use language creatively, turning a simple idea like “low cost” into something vivid and memorable. If you describe something as affordable, inexpensive, or budget-friendly, these comparisons act as figurative language for cheap, adding color and depth to your words. Many people look for other ways to say cheap because plain vocabulary can feel flat — similes, metaphors, and other literary devices help you express the same idea with more impact.

You can use these expressions in many contexts: as a fun Instagram caption, a witty WhatsApp status, or even in academic writing to explain value, cost, or accessibility with more style.

In this article, we’ll explore a variety of similes for cheap that not only enrich your vocabulary but also make your language more expressive, engaging, and memorable.

As Cheap As Simile Examples

1. As Cheap as Chips

Meaning: Describes something very inexpensive, like a simple snack anyone can afford.
Example Sentences:

The tickets to the local fair were as cheap as chips, so the whole family went.
I bought this mug at the market, as cheap as chips, but it’s my favorite.
Other Ways to Say:
As affordable as street food.
As low-cost as a bus ride.

2. As Cheap as Dirt

Meaning: Refers to something extremely inexpensive, almost worthless.
Example Sentences:

The shoes looked stylish but were as cheap as dirt at the outlet sale.
Those souvenirs are as cheap as dirt, but they remind me of the trip.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as dust.
As worthless as pebbles.

3. As Cheap as Water

Meaning: Suggests that something costs nearly nothing, just like water is freely available.
Example Sentences:

Internet cafés made calls overseas as cheaply as water back then.
With the discount, the clothes were as cheap as water.
Other Ways to Say:
As free-flowing as rain.
As inexpensive as air.

4. As Cheap as a Penny Sweet

Meaning: Describes something very small in cost, like old-fashioned penny candies.
Example Sentences:

Her friendship bracelet was as cheap as a penny sweet, but she cherished it.
Printing leaflets turned out as cheap as a penny sweet in bulk.
Other Ways to Say:
As low-priced as pocket change.
As cheap as a coin toss.

5. As Cheap as a Song

Meaning: Suggests something was obtained for almost nothing, as if given away.
Example Sentences:

I got this chair as cheap as a song at the yard sale.
The vendor sold fresh fruit as cheaply as a song at closing time.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as free.
As inexpensive as a hum.

Nature-Inspired Similes for Cheap

6. As Cheap as Leaves in Autumn

Meaning: Implies abundance and low value, like fallen autumn leaves.
Example Sentences:

Flyers were handed out as cheaply as leaves in autumn.
Trinkets at the market were as cheap as leaves in autumn.
Other Ways to Say:
As plentiful as grains of sand.
As cheap as fallen petals.

7. As Cheap as Pebbles on a Beach

Meaning: Suggests something so common and inexpensive it holds little worth.
Example Sentences:

Souvenirs were as cheap as pebbles on a beach.
The festival tickets were as cheap as pebbles on a beach for students.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as seashells.
As plentiful as stones.

8. As Cheap as Grass

Meaning: Describes something easy to get and almost free.
Example Sentences:

The vegetables at the village market were as cheap as grass.
Renting bikes there was as cheap as grass.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as weeds.
As plentiful as moss.

9. As Cheap as Rainwater

Meaning: Refers to something free or so inexpensive that it feels natural.
Example Sentences:

Calls on the new app are as cheap as rainwater.
Buying notebooks in bulk was as cheap as rainwater.
Other Ways to Say:
As abundant as sunshine.
As cheap as dew.

10. As Cheap as Sand

Meaning: Suggests something is so plentiful that it’s inexpensive.
Example Sentences:

Bracelets sold at the seaside were as cheap as sand.
Plastic toys at the fair were as cheap as sand.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as mud.
As common as gravel.

Food-Inspired Similes for Cheap

11. As Cheap as Bread

Meaning: Something basic and inexpensive, like everyday bread.
Example Sentences:

The coffee at that stall is as cheap as bread.
Stationery at the corner shop was as cheap as bread.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as rice.
As affordable as flour.

12. As Cheap as Chips and Salsa

Meaning: Suggests a snack-like affordability, often paired and low cost.
Example Sentences:

Drinks at happy hour were as cheap as chips and salsa.
The souvenirs were as cheap as chips and salsa near the plaza.
Other Ways to Say:
As affordable as fries.
As cheap as popcorn.

13. As Cheap as Tea Bags

Meaning: Suggests everyday affordability.
Example Sentences:

Office pens were as cheap as tea bags.
The greeting cards were as cheap as tea bags.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as sugar cubes.
As low-cost as biscuits.

14. As Cheap as Noodles

Meaning: Suggests something filling but inexpensive.
Example Sentences:

Street food meals were as cheap as noodles.
The decorations were as cheap as noodles during the festival.
Other Ways to Say:
As affordable as rice bowls.
As cheap as soup.

15. As Cheap as Candy

Meaning: Suggests playful, colorful cheapness.
Example Sentences:

Balloons at the carnival were as cheap as candy.
Trinkets were as cheap as candy at the fair.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as lollipops.
As cheap as chewing gum.

Money & Value-Related Similes

16. As Cheap as Pennies

Meaning: Refers to something with a tiny value.
Example Sentences:

The bus ride was as cheap as pennies.
Stickers at the shop were as cheap as pennies.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as loose change.
As cheap as dimes.

17. As Cheap as Monopoly Money

Meaning: Suggests worthlessness, like toy money.
Example Sentences:

The fake jewelry was as cheap as Monopoly money.
Those knock-off sneakers are as cheap as Monopoly money.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as play coins.
As cheap as arcade tokens.

18. As Cheap as Pocket Change

Meaning: Suggests something that costs next to nothing.
Example Sentences:

The keychain was as cheap as pocket change.
Coffee refills there were as cheap as pocket change.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as spare coins.
As affordable as nickels.

19. As Cheap as a Dollar Store Trinket

Meaning: Refers to something inexpensive and mass-produced.
Example Sentences:

The toy was as cheap as a dollar-store trinket.
Sunglasses sold on the street were as cheap as a dollar-store trinket.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as discount jewelry.
As cheap as market trinkets.

20. As Cheap as Free Samples

Meaning: Suggests something costs practically nothing.
Example Sentences:

The trial subscription was as cheap as free samples.
Snacks at the event were as cheap as free samples.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as giveaways.
As free as tasters.

21. As Cheap as Second-Hand Shoes

Meaning: Suggests something affordable but possibly worn out or used.
Example Sentences:

The books at the market were as cheap as second-hand shoes, but full of wisdom.
I bought curtains as cheaply as second-hand shoes, and they still look nice.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as used clothes.
As cheap as thrift-store finds.

22. As Cheap as Yesterday’s News

Meaning: Describes something no longer valued, like old newspapers.
Example Sentences:

The DVDs were as cheap as yesterday’s news.
That outdated phone is now as cheap as yesterday’s news.
Other Ways to Say:
As worthless as old magazines.
As cheap as expired coupons.

23. As Cheap as a Broken Umbrella

Meaning: Refers to something so low in value it’s almost useless.
Example Sentences:

The toy was as cheap as a broken umbrella, breaking in a day.
The service felt as cheap as a broken umbrella—barely worth it.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a torn sock.
As worthless as a flat tire.

24. As Cheap as an Old Joke

Meaning: Suggests something common and overused, losing value.
Example Sentences:

The freebie pens were as cheap as an old joke.
Her comments sounded as cheap as an old joke.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a tired phrase.
As cheap as a cliché.

25. As Cheap as Leftovers

Meaning: Refers to something low in value, often reused or discarded.
Example Sentences:

The concert posters were as cheap as leftovers after the event.
That rug was as cheap as leftovers from last season’s stock.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as stale bread.
As cheap as reheated rice.

26. As Cheap as a Knock-Off Watch

Meaning: Describes something that looks valuable but is cheaply made.
Example Sentences:

His sunglasses were as cheap as a knock-off watch.
The furniture was as cheap as a knock-off watch—good looks, poor quality.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as fake jewelry.
As cheap as imitation perfume.

27. As Cheap as a Paper Cup

Meaning: Suggests something disposable and inexpensive.
Example Sentences:

The event decorations were as cheap as a paper cup.
The giveaway toys were as cheap as a paper cup.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as plastic cutlery.
As cheap as napkins.

28. As Cheap as a Used Tissue

Meaning: Refers to something extremely low in worth and disposable.
Example Sentences:

The advice he gave was as cheap as a used tissue.
That trinket felt as cheap as a used tissue.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a crumpled receipt.
As cheap as a discarded flyer.

29. As Cheap as a Street Song

Meaning: Suggests affordability and accessibility, like music sung freely.
Example Sentences:

The artwork was as cheap as a street song, but full of soul.
Souvenirs sold by the corner were as cheap as a street song.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a busker’s tune.
As cheap as a whistle in the wind.

30. As Cheap as a Smile

Meaning: Suggests something costs nothing but still carries value.
Example Sentences:

Kindness is as cheap as a smile, but priceless to receive.
Encouragement is as cheap as a smile, yet deeply meaningful.
Other Ways to Say:
As free as laughter.
As cheap as a kind word.

Creative Similes for Cheap

31. As Cheap as a Paperclip

Meaning: Suggests something small, common, and inexpensive.
Example Sentences:

The notebook was as cheap as a paperclip.
Pens at the fair were as cheap as a paperclip.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a thumbtack.
As cheap as a staple.

32. As Cheap as a Plastic Toy

Meaning: Refers to something low-cost and mass-produced.
Example Sentences:

The watches were as cheap as a plastic toy.
The trinkets were as cheap as a plastic toy.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a keychain.
As cheap as a rubber ball.

33. As Cheap as a Free App

Meaning: Suggests something costs nothing or very little.
Example Sentences:

That language course was as cheap as a free app.
The program upgrade came as cheap as free app.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as a demo version.
As cheap as trial software.

34. As Cheap as a Balloon

Meaning: Suggests something fun but inexpensive.
Example Sentences:

The toys at the carnival were as cheap as a balloon.
Decorations were as cheap as a balloon.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as confetti.
As cheap as streamers.

35. As Cheap as Free Advice

Meaning: Refers to something offered freely, often of questionable value.
Example Sentences:

His opinion was as cheap as free advice.
The tips online were as cheap as free advice—some helpful, some not.
Other Ways to Say:
As cheap as unsolicited help.
As cheap as a passing comment.

Conclusion

Using similes for cheap is more than just describing low cost—it’s about adding creativity and personality to your language. Instead of repeating the same plain word, you can lean on figurative language, literary devices, and comparisons that make your point more vivid.

If you’re writing an Instagram caption, posting a WhatsApp status, or preparing an academic essay, these similes give you flexible and memorable ways to express the idea of affordability.

So the next time you want to highlight something as inexpensive, affordable, or budget-friendly, reach for a simile. It not only makes your words more engaging but also helps your message stand out in everyday conversations and professional writing alike.

Mariah Cannon