Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Atlantic City?
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 Atlantic City and Milwaukee. 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.
Atlantic City is a flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.
Milwaukee is a friendly, welcoming, and undiscovered city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Atlantic City. Although Atlantic City and Milwaukee are popular destinations, Atlantic City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Atlantic City is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Milwaukee attracts visitors for its museums. Atlantic City is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality It is also well known for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milwaukee and Atlantic City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Milwaukee is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.
Milwaukee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.
While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.
Atlantic City is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.
Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.
Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.
Atlantic City is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
Atlantic City is a must-see party destination. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.
Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.
Atlantic City is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee is not a resort destination.
In Atlantic City, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.
Milwaukee is not a resort destination.
Atlantic City is a city with good options for the beache. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.
Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Atlantic City. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.
Milwaukee is not a beach destination.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Milwaukee and Atlantic City.
Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Milwaukee. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.
Milwaukee is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.
For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.
Atlantic City is a city with good options for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.
Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.
Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.
Atlantic City is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for backpackers.
Atlantic City is a good city to visit for backpackers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.
Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.
Milwaukee is a good destination for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.
Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.
Atlantic City is not popular with students.
Atlantic City is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.
Atlantic City has some public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.
Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.
Atlantic City is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
Atlantic City is a very walkable city. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.
Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.
For even more information, also check out Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting? and Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Atlantic City or Milwaukee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Atlantic City than Milwaukee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 1-2 days is enough time in Milwaukee.
Families should spend more time in Milwaukee than Atlantic City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Milwaukee, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Atlantic City than Milwaukee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atlantic City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Milwaukee 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 Atlantic City.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the undiscovered destination of Milwaukee. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.
You'll find shopping and nightlife around the colorful destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milwaukee. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-oriented city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Milwaukee. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.
Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Milwaukee. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $154, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 Atlantic City and Milwaukee in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City or Milwaukee? 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.
Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and Atlantic City 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.
For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Atlantic City and Milwaukee, we can see that Milwaukee 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 Atlantic City Expensive? and Is Milwaukee Expensive?.
Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Milwaukee, 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 Atlantic City as well as Milwaukee. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Milwaukee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlantic City in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 74°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Milwaukee and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.
In October, Atlantic City is generally a little warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 56°F (13°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Milwaukee and Atlantic City during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Milwaukee. It's quite cold in Atlantic City in the winter. Atlantic City is much warmer than Milwaukee in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).
In the winter, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Milwaukee. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches.
In the spring, Atlantic City is a little warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlantic City in April average around 51°F (10°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 47°F (8°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Milwaukee during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Atlantic City | Milwaukee | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
Apr | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
May | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Aug | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Sep | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |