Should you visit Chattanooga or Austin?
Should I visit Chattanooga or Austin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Chattanooga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $145, while the average daily cost in Austin is $114. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Chattanooga and Austin in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $73. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Chattanooga the cost is $146 on average.
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Chattanooga travelers spend around $47 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Chattanooga $47
Austin $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
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Small-Group Electric Bike Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$50
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2-Hour Small Group Southern Cuisine Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$65
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2-Hour Chattanooga Walking Food Tour:
$69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
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Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
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Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
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Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
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East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
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Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
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Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
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Secret Food Tour:
$288
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $28 per day to get around in Chattanooga.
The cost of a taxi ride in Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
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Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin and Chattanooga 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $42 per person, per day in Chattanooga. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in Austin typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Entrance Ticket to National Medal of Honor Heritage Center:
$14
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Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour in Chattanooga:
$23
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Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour:
$23
-
Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour:
$26
-
Hillbilly Jeep Tours from Chattanooga:
$26
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Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$29
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Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$20
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Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
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Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour:
$23
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Spy Adventure: Operation Mindfall:
$25
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Spy Adventure at the Domain in Austin:
$25
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Operation Mindfall, A Spy Adventure in Austin:
$25
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Austin Street Art Walking Tour:
$25
-
Haunted Austin Walking History Tour:
$26
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Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour:
$26
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Downtown Austin Photo Tour:
$26
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chattanooga may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:
-
Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings:
$41
-
Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga:
$159
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
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Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
-
More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
-
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
-
Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
-
The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
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Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
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Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
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Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chattanooga and Austin, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Chattanooga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chattanooga than you might in Austin.
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