Which place is cheaper, Detroit or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Detroit, 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.
Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Atlanta travel costs.
Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Detroit travel costs.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Detroit. While Detroit is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Atlanta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Detroit is known for its music. Atlanta is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Detroit and Atlanta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Atlanta is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.
The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.
Atlanta is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Atlanta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Atlanta and Detroit.
The nightlife in Atlanta has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.
Detroit offers plenty to do in the evening. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.
Detroit is terrific for its music scene. However, Atlanta is not a live music destination.
Detroit has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.
Atlanta is not a live music destination.
Atlanta is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.
Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.
Atlanta is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Atlanta is very family-friendly. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.
Atlanta is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.
Atlanta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.
Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.
Atlanta is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.
It's common for backpackers to visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.
Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.
Atlanta is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.
Atlanta is a great city to visit as a student. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.
Detroit is not popular with students.
Atlanta and Detroit both offer decent public transit to get you around.
Public transit is mostly limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.
Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.
Atlanta and Detroit are good when it comes to walkability.
Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.
Detroit is somewhat walkable. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.
For even more information, also check out Is Atlanta Worth Visiting? and Is Detroit Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlanta and Detroit. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Atlanta than in Detroit. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Atlanta, and 1-3 days is enough time in Detroit.
Families should spend more time in Atlanta than Detroit. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Atlanta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Atlanta than Detroit. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atlanta that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlanta than Detroit 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 Atlanta.
Because Atlanta is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Detroit, you'll find shopping and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Because Atlanta is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlanta has to offer.
In Detroit, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Detroit has to offer.
Atlanta is a great place to explore. 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.
Detroit is a great place to explore. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlanta. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atlanta. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Detroit. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $204, while the average daily cost in Detroit is $165. 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 Atlanta and Detroit in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Atlanta or Detroit? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Detroit and Atlanta 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Detroit, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta than you might in Detroit.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlanta Expensive? and Is Detroit Expensive?.
Detroit has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Detroit, 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 destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Detroit. The summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.
In July, Atlanta is generally a little warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 82°F (28°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun in the summer.
Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Detroit. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Detroit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Atlanta is much warmer than Detroit in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 66°F (19°C) in October, and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In the autumn, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.
Atlanta usually gets more rain in October than Detroit. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Detroit and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Detroit can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Atlanta is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlanta in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Detroit averages at about 25°F (-4°C).
Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during winter. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In January, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Detroit. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Detroit and Atlanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Detroit for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Atlanta is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 65°F (18°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).
In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the spring, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in April than Detroit. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Atlanta | Detroit | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
Feb | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
Mar | 57°F (14°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Oct | 66°F (19°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |