Which place is cheaper, Memphis or Asheville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Memphis. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.
Memphis is a creative, laid-back, and soulful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Memphis than Asheville, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Memphis is more popular for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Asheville is known for its resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Asheville is more touristy than Memphis and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Memphis is popular for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also home to Elvis Presley's Graceland.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Memphis and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Memphis is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.
Memphis offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.
Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.
Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Memphis can be an enjoyable experience.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.
Memphis is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Memphis.
Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.
Many people head to Memphis for the nightlife scene. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.
Memphis is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Memphis There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
The music scene in Asheville draws a good crowd. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.
Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Memphis is not a resort destination.
Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.
Memphis is not a resort destination.
Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Memphis does not have a historic old town.
The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.
Memphis does not have a historic old town.
Asheville is a great mountain town for hiking. However, Memphis is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.
Memphis is not a hiking destination.
Asheville is a great mountain town for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.
Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.
Asheville is a great mountain town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Memphis does not offer Christmas activities.
Asheville is a very popular destination during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.
Memphis does not offer Christmas activities.
Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Memphis does not offer Christmas markets.
During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.
Memphis does not offer Christmas markets.
Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.
Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.
Asheville is a great mountain town for couples. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.
Memphis is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.
Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Memphis is not known for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.
Memphis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and plenty of live music that make this a popular stop off for young travelers.
Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.
Asheville is a great mountain town to visit as a student. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.
Memphis is a good mountain town to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Memphis.
Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.
Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.
Asheville and Memphis both are good when exploring on foot.
Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.
Memphis is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Memphis Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Memphis. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Memphis. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Asheville than Memphis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Asheville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Asheville than Memphis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Memphis 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 Asheville.
In Asheville, you'll find nightlife and live music. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find food and museums around the city of Memphis. 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.
In Asheville, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Asheville has to offer.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the soulful destination of Memphis. 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.
Asheville is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the laid-back city of Memphis. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Memphis 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 The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $133, while the average daily cost in Memphis is $167. 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 Asheville and Memphis in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Memphis? 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 Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Memphis and Asheville 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:
For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Memphis, we can see that Memphis is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis than you might in Asheville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Memphis Expensive?.
Memphis has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Memphis, 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.
Both Memphis and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Memphis for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Memphis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Memphis averages at about 83°F (29°C).
In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 328 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Memphis. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Memphis. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Memphis because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Memphis. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Memphis. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.
It's quite cold in Memphis in the winter. Asheville is a little warmer than Memphis in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Memphis fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).
In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 163 hours of full sun.
Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Memphis. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Memphis and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Memphis for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Memphis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Memphis averages at about 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Memphis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Memphis. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Asheville | Memphis | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) |
Feb | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
Nov | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
Dec | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |