Which place is cheaper, Minneapolis or Chattanooga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Chattanooga or Minneapolis? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Chattanooga is a thriving, bustling, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Chattanooga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Chattanooga is known for its hiking. Chattanooga is popular for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Minneapolis and Chattanooga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Minneapolis is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.
Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.
Minneapolis is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Dining out in Minneapolis is an experience not to be missed. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.
Minneapolis is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
The people in Minneapolis know how to have a good time. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.
If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.
Chattanooga is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.
Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.
Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Minneapolis is a world class destination for shoppers. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.
Minneapolis is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.
With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Minneapolis make for a good place to visit.
Chattanooga is a good city for couples to visit. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.
Minneapolis is a nice destination for couples. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.
Minneapolis is a great destination for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.
Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.
Chattanooga is not popular with students.
Chattanooga is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
Chattanooga has some very good public transit options. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.
You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.
Chattanooga is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
Chattanooga is a very walkable city. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.
Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.
For even more information, also check out Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Chattanooga or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Chattanooga, and 2-4 days is enough time in Minneapolis.
Families should spend more time in Minneapolis than Chattanooga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Minneapolis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Minneapolis than Chattanooga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Minneapolis that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Chattanooga 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 Minneapolis.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Chattanooga. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Minneapolis. Most people visit for the shopping. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the thriving destination of Chattanooga. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic destination of Minneapolis. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
The thriving city of Chattanooga offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
The innovative city of Minneapolis offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chattanooga. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Minneapolis. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $182, while the average daily cost in Minneapolis is $208. 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 Chattanooga and Minneapolis in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chattanooga or Minneapolis? 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 Chattanooga:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chattanooga:
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Chattanooga Expensive? and Is Minneapolis Expensive?.
Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Minneapolis, 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 Chattanooga as well as Minneapolis. Many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 81°F (27°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun.
Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Minneapolis and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Chattanooga is much warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Minneapolis and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chattanooga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chattanooga is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chattanooga in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).
In the winter, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Minneapolis. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.
In April, Chattanooga is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 62°F (17°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun in the spring.
Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Chattanooga | Minneapolis | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
Mar | 53°F (12°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |