A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Salt Lake City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Salt Lake City, 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

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Arlington and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salt Lake City. Although Arlington and Salt Lake City are popular destinations, Salt Lake City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salt Lake City is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking, while Arlington attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Salt Lake City is famous for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. It is also well known for Temple Square.

How is Arlington different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City and Arlington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Salt Lake City and Arlington.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.


Is the Food Better in Arlington or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Arlington has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Arlington and Salt Lake City.

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.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington and Salt Lake City are both nice 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 Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.


Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington and Salt Lake City are both nice to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Salt Lake City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in town, but most backpackers overlook this destination or breeze through town quickly.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Students?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Arlington is very popular with students. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Salt Lake City is not popular with students.


Is Arlington or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Arlington can get you around easily. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

You'll find some public transit in Salt Lake City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Arlington
Salt Lake City

Arlington is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

Families should spend more time in Arlington than Salt Lake City. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Arlington than Salt Lake City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arlington that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Salt Lake City 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.


  • How many days in Arlington or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Arlington 2-4 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

In Arlington, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Salt Lake City. 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.


A weekend in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Arlington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find museums and food around the religious destination of Salt Lake City. 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.

Five days in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the notable city of Salt Lake City. 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.

A week in Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Arlington. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Salt Lake City 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or Arlington?

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 Salt Lake City is $246. 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 Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arlington $131
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arlington $262
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Arlington and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in Arlington or Salt Lake City? 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.

Hotels in Arlington


Hotels in Salt Lake City


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arlington Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arlington $49
    Salt Lake City $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC): Transfer to Salt Lake City: $200
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City UT - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $180
  • Salt Lake Airport (SLC) to Canyons Village - Round-Trip Transfer: $228
  • Salt Lake Airport (SLC) to Canyons Village - Arrival Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) : $106
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $106
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City hotel or address: $259
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arlington $81
    Salt Lake City $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arlington $11
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City

For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Salt Lake Boat Tour with Swimming on the Lake: $79
  • 4-Day Winter Yellowstone Tour: $2,499
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $37
  • 5-day Tour Yellowstone Park Los Angeles-Salt Lake City: $1,558
  • From 3-Day Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure: $999
  • From Private Bryce Canyon National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Canyonlands National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Capitol Reef National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Tour of Arches National Park: $1,475
  • Great Salt Lake Flying Tour: $249
  • Great Salt Lake Guided Bus Tour from Salt Lake City: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arlington $17
    Salt Lake City $17


When comparing the travel costs between Arlington and Salt Lake City, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Salt Lake City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arlington or Salt Lake City?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Salt Lake City, 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.