Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or Arlington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Anchorage, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Anchorage is a breathtaking, cultural, and artsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.
You'll generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Arlington. Anchorage is bigger than Arlington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Anchorage is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its museums, food, and nightlife. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Anchorage is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Also, Anchorage is famous for Chugach State Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Anchorage and Arlington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Arlington is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.
Arlington is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.
Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.
Arlington is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.
Arlington offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.
Anchorage is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.
Known for its hiking, Anchorage draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.
Arlington is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Arlington and Anchorage.
Arlington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.
Anchorage is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.
Arlington and Anchorage are both notable destinations for the whole family.
Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Anchorage. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.
Anchorage is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.
Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.
Arlington is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.
Plenty of backpackers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.
Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.
Anchorage is not popular with students.
Arlington is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.
Visitors in Arlington can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.
Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.
Arlington is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.
Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.
Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.
Families should spend more time in Arlington than Anchorage. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Arlington, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Anchorage if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arlington.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Arlington. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Anchorage. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the international destination of Arlington. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find museums and food around the breathtaking destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international city of Arlington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the nature-oriented city of Anchorage. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Arlington is $264, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arlington and Anchorage in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Arlington or Anchorage? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Arlington change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Anchorage, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Anchorage.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Anchorage, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Anchorage. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Arlington is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arlington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Anchorage averages at about 59°F (15°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In the summer, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.
Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Anchorage and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arlington for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Arlington is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 60°F (15°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
Arlington usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Arlington usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Anchorage and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arlington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Anchorage can be very cold during winter. Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. Arlington is much warmer than Anchorage in the winter. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).
In the winter, Arlington often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.
Arlington usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Anchorage. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In the spring, Arlington is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arlington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Anchorage averages at about 36°F (2°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage during spring. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Arlington | Anchorage | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |