Should you visit Chattanooga or Milwaukee?
Should I visit Chattanooga or Milwaukee? 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.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.
Which city is cheaper, Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee is $141. 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 Milwaukee 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.
Travelers usually pay around $158 for a double occupancy room in Milwaukee If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
Food in Milwaukee costs travelers about $41 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chattanooga $47
Milwaukee $41
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 Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Milwaukee:
$90
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Milwaukee Secret Food Tour w/ Private Tour Option:
$193
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.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Milwaukee than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $31 on transportation in Milwaukee on average per day.
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 Milwaukee
Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer:
$64
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Business Class Car:
$67
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Luxury Class Car:
$100
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in an SUV:
$83
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Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in Business Class Car:
$67
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Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in a Luxury Car:
$100
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Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in an SUV:
$83
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Milwaukee?
Prices for flights to both Milwaukee 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.
Sightseeing expenses in Milwaukee, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$29
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Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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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 "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga Guided Electric Bike City Tour:
$80
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Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour:
$26
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Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour:
$23
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Chattanooga Stand-Up Paddleboarding & Kayak Tour:
$75
Tours and Activities in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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The Grand Walk: An audio tour through Milwaukee's historical and cultural heart:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear Admission Ticket:
$6.00
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Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket:
$8.00
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Harley-Davidson Museum General Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option:
$22
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Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$35
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Ticket:
$40
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Cruisin' Karaoke Tour:
$41
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Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour:
$41
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Fun Milwaukee Tours:
$45
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Fun Public Milwaukee Tours:
$45
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Christmas Past, Present and Future Light Tour:
$70
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.
Typically, people visiting Milwaukee spend on average $26 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings:
$41
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Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga:
$159
Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Milwaukee Bar Hunt: Milwaukee Bar Crawl:
$12
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Operation Mindfall Brewery District in Downtown Milwaukee:
$35
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Operation Mindfall Bar Crawl on Brady Street:
$35
When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Milwaukee, we can see that Chattanooga 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.
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