City economy guide

Cities, travel and trading

Cities create different prices, assets and opportunities. Learn to compare a route before travelling and avoid confusing movement with profit.

Cities are different markets

Street Crime is spread across cities rather than one identical screen. Contraband prices change by location, and player-owned assets are tied to cities. Travel therefore changes the opportunities around your character as well as the name of the place shown on the page.

Comparing contraband prices in a Street Crime city
The contraband market shows the local prices that make one route different from another.

Calculate the whole route

A low buying price is only half a trade. You also need a destination where the item can be sold well, enough carrying capacity to make the journey worthwhile, and a plan for what your character will do after arriving. Compare both ends before committing cash.

  1. Record or compare the local buying price before filling your capacity.
  2. Choose a destination based on a selling opportunity, not guesswork.
  3. Keep travel and follow-up needs in mind instead of spending every dollar on stock.
  4. Check what else the destination offers, including properties, casinos and player activity.
  5. Review the realised return after selling so future routes are based on evidence.

Capacity and progression

Your ability to carry contraband grows with character progression. That means a route which feels small early can become more useful later, while a poor margin remains poor no matter how much you carry. Build rank and route knowledge together rather than chasing capacity alone.

Travel changes your options

Cities also contain their own players, jail activity, businesses and competitive assets. A trader who watches only the commodity price can miss the wider situation. Before settling into a route, look at who controls valuable property and whether your crew or rivals are active there.

Connect trading to your empire

Trading is most useful when its cash supports another goal: equipment, a vehicle, turf development, a crew plan or a larger reserve. Decide what the profit is for before risking the bankroll, then stop or change route when the market no longer supports that purpose.

Last reviewed 12 July 2026 by Street Crime team.